Dolan & Defense Propel Illini To Victory in Mizzou Arena
Illinois holds Missouri under 70 points and sees star […]
Dolan & Defense Propel Illini To Victory in Mizzou Arena
Illinois holds Missouri under 70 points and sees star […]
Game Preview: Maddie Webber’s Off-The-Bench Role Finally Coming into Form at Illinois
At Villanova, Maddie Webber was a scoring machine and […]
Sturdy's Rewind: Frosh Lead Illini to Road Dub
By Brad Sturdy - IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst & Co-Host, IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular
December 10, 2025
(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)
The Illini opened the Big Ten season with a 88-80 win over a feisty Ohio State Buckeyes team that came in seven and one. Freshmen Keaton Wagler and David Mirkovic scored 23 and 22 points, and Andrej Stojakovic added 17 as the Illini moved to 8-2 and 1-0 in Big Ten play.
The first half was a free-flowing offensive showcase, and the second half morphed into a foul fest that featured 48 fouls. This was the type of win that a year ago you wonder if the Illini would have been able to pull this out, but their depth and toughness showed through and they were able to pull out the road win in their first true road game of the season.
Here's a rewind:
These 3 Things
Freshmen Lead the Way - The play of Keaton Wagler and David Mirkovic was incredible in their first Big Ten road game Tuesday night.
Ked's Recruiting Roundup: Future Illini QB Kamden Lopati Has Other Schools Still in Hot Pursuit
By Kedric Prince - Sr. Recruiting Analyst December 10 […]
Illini Survive Thornton's Big Night, Outslug Buckeyes for Big Ten Opening Win
By IlliniGuys Staff December 9, 2025 (Cover photo courtesy […]
Ked's Recruiting Roundup: Illinois, Arizona Battle it out for Lithuanian Wing
By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Sr. Recruiting Analyst
December 9, 2025
(Cover photo courtesy FIBA)
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The Illinois men’s basketball program is rolling into December with momentum after a big 75-62 win over Tennessee at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.
That surge off the court is matching what’s happening on it. Rumblings continue to circulate around Lithuanian standout Dovydas Buika, a 6-foot-6, 190-pound combo guard whose wing scoring ability has made him one of the most intriguing international prospects in the 2026 class. According to Rivals.com and On3, Buika is rated a four-star recruit, and his recruitment appears to be tightening into a two-team contest between Illinois and Arizona.
Sturdy's Game Preview: Big Ten Opener
By Brad Sturdy - IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst & Co-Host, IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular
December 9, 2025
(Cover photo courtesy Payton Sturdy/IlliniGuys)
It is a quick turnaround, as the Illini head to Columbus for the Big Ten opener against the Ohio State Buckeyes. Guitars notwithstanding, the Illini feel good about their week of practice and their win over Tennessee but now have to take care of business this week in Big Ten play.
Here’s a breakdown.
Setting the Stage
#13 Illinois (7-2, 0-0) at Ohio State (7-1, 1-0)
Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025 // 6:30 p.m. CT (7:30 p.m. ET) // Columbus, Ohio // Value City Arena Stream: Peacock – John Fanta (Play-by-Play) & Brendan Haywood (Analyst)
Radio: Busey Bank Illini Sports Network – Brian Barnhart (Play-By-Play) & Deon Thomas
Notable
Ked's Courtside Notes
December 9, 2025
(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)
IlliniGuys Staff Writer Kedric Prince laid down some knowledge for the premium board folks yesterday morning...
Good Monday morning. It always feels a little better when Illinois not only picks up a big win...but does it against an SEC opponent.
A few notes to pass along from what I gathered yesterday, in no particular order of importance:
• Junior Andrej Stojakovic
His scoring dip lately has an explanation.
Heat Checks & Hail Marys – Rare Chance for the Illini to Defeat Tennessee Twice in a Month
Mike Cagley, Co-Host Sports Spectacular December 8, 2025 The […]
Bielema Hints Illinois QB Luke Altmyer Will Play in Music City Bowl
Illinois head coach Bret Bielema says he’s conducted a one-on-one meeting with Altmyer and exchanged text messages with Altmyer’s mother about the Music City Bowl.
By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst
December 7, 2025
(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Despite doing everything in his power to not spoil an upcoming announcement from the player himself, Bret Bielema did everything but confirm he will have his three-year starting quarterback for one more game.
In the on-campus Music City Bowl acceptance media conference inside the Smith Family Football Complex on Sunday afternoon, Bielema confirmed he has conducted one-on-one meetings with players out of eligibility after this postseason game, including starting quarterback Luke Altmyer. Bielema also said Sunday he received a text message from Altmyer’s mother, Betsy, that “half of Mississippi will be there” and based off all of these elements, the expectation of Bielema and the rest of the Illini coaching staff is for Luke Altmyer to make one more start in the 2025 Music City Bowl.
Watch: Illini AD Josh Whitman, coach Bret Bielema Music City Bowl presser
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZbl6qJsCGU
Illini’s Nashville Hot Ticket: Illinois Accepts Music City Bowl Bid; Will Play Tennessee
Illinois will play in a bowl game in consecutive […]
Sturdy's Rewind: Illini Sound Off in Music City
By Brad Sturdy - IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst & Co-Host, IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular
December 7, 2025
The Illini got much needed marquee win on Saturday night in Nashville, cruising to a 75-61 win over the #13 Tennessee Volunteers as they head into Big Ten play. Tomislav Ivisic, Keaton Wagler each scored 16 points and Kylan Boswell added 15, as the Illini improved to 7-2.
Tennessee led 34–32 at halftime and briefly held a lead in the second half. However, Illinois took control with a decisive 15–3 run midway through the second half to open up a double-digit lead they never relinquished.
Despite being outrebounded by Tennessee (46–31), Illinois was much more efficient offensively, shooting 48% from the field compared to Tennessee's cold shooting night. Illinois held Tennessee to just 36.9% shooting from the field.
Here’s a recap from Nashville.
These 3 Things
The Pieces are Beginning to Go Together - The Illini are starting to look like the team
Illini Man Up in 2nd Half to Take Down Vols in Nashville
By IlliniGuys Staff December 6, 2025 (Cover photo courtesy […]
‘We’re going to stomp on their necks’: Youthful Illini Forward Cearah Parchment Ready For Big Ten Grind
Illinois center Cearah Parchment leads confident group of young players on Shauna Green’s roster ready to navigate Big Ten Conference play.
By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer
December 6, 2025
(Cover photo courtesy Jackson Janes/Illinois Athletics)
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The living embodiment of Shauna Green’s rebuild of Illinois women’s basketball showcased itself Saturday in a relatively unflappable 22-point blowout of a league rival.
It’s not a common thing over the entire lifespan of all the players on Green’s current roster to see Illinois arrive at State Farm Center for a game against Indiana with the confidence that was verbalized by its freshman forward Cearah Parchment.
“I definitely think we came into this game knowing we were going to win,” the 18 year-old big from Ontario, Canada said following the Illini’s 78-57 victory. “We came in thinking we’re going to stomp on their necks, as you would say.
For the first time since the beginning of the 2016-17 season and for the first time under Green, Illinois (8-1, 1-0 in Big Ten Conference) begin league play with a 1-0 record because for the first time since Green’s arrival at Illinois, her squad had the significantly obvious advantage in the paint.
Subscriber Testimonials:
Not a member? Join our mailing list: