Illini Transition Runs Missouri Out of St. Louis in Braggin’ Rights Blowout
The early plan for the Illinois offense was simple: Take the ball off the rim and run until Missouri stops them. And the Tigers rarely did in a 97-73 blowout win for the Illini.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
December 23, 2023
ST. LOUIS — Illinois took its cue on offensive pace Friday night from the original and long-standing hockey tenant of the Enterprise Center - get it and go.
Watch: Illini coach Brad Underwood Missouri postgame presser
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyF69uXEFhY
#13 Illini Dominate Mizzou In Braggin' Rights Rout
By IlliniGuys Staff December 22, 2023 (Cover photo courtesy […]
Terrence Shannon Wants Different Memory of Braggin’ Rights Game After Suffering 22-Point Loss Last Year
Illinois guard Terrence Shannon says he circled the date of his final Braggin’ Rights game immediately upon his announcement to return to college basketball this season.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
December 22, 2023
CHAMPAIGN — Terrence Shannon’s only memory of the Braggin’ Rights Game certainly isn’t a good thought.
Sturdy's Braggin' Rights Game Preview vs. Missouri
Brad Sturdy, Co-Host Sports Spectacular & Big Sports Radio, Illini Uber-Insider
January 22, 2023
Although the talk is always of Big Ten Championships and NCAA runs, for people who live in the St. Louis metro area there is often no bigger game than the annual McBride Homes Braggin’ Rights game each December. The Illini struggled a year ago in this game as the Tigers cruised to a win, but this Illini team appears different, and they seem to understand the importance of this game and want to have a Merry Christmas. It all starts with a win over Mizzou.
McBride Homes Braggin’ Rights
#13/11 Illinois (8-2) vs. Missouri (7-4)
Dec. 22, 2023 // 8 p.m. CT // St. Louis, Mo. // Enterprise Center
TV: FS1 – Jason Ross Jr. (Play-by-Play), Robbie Hummel (Analyst)
Radio: Busey Bank Illini Sports Network – Brian Barnhart (Play-By-Play), Deon Thomas
McKenzie, Cook Lead Illini To Holiday Win Over UTEP
(From Illinois Sports Information Office) WEST PALM BEACH, […]
The Farrell Files Illinois - The Wigenton Surprise & Farrell's Big Ten Recruiting Rankings
Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys & Big Sports Radio National Football Recruiting Expert
December 22, 2023
(Mike Farrell also has his own website: https://mikefarrellsports.com/)
Color me surprised by the commitment of OT Kevin Wigenton from Michigan State through the transfer portal.
Chester Frazier - Recruiting Road Warrior
Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
December 21, 2023
Illinois assistant men's basketball coach Chester Frazier headed west to look towards the future. The class of 2025-26 preps are on full display. Illinois has been involved in the transfer portal the past few years, but high school preps still matter at Illinois.
Football Recruiting Spotlight on Anthony Johnson
Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst
December 21, 2023
Illinois lost a big portal commitment when Clay Patterson of Yale reneged on his commitment to the Illini, but they added a similarly talented player a few days later when Youngstown State's Anthony Johnson committed to the Illini over several high major offers.
Illini 2024 Signee: 3-star DB Vernon Woodward
Vernon Woodward was the first of the three Illinois signees in this 2024 recruiting class that was flipped from an initial commitment of a Big Ten Conference program.
By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst
December 20, 2023
(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athetics)
Player: Vernon Woodward
Position: Cornerback
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 180
Hometown: Winter Park, Fla.
High School: Winter Park
Other offers: UCF, Wisconsin, Boston College, Cincinnati, Florida Atlantic, Louisville, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Maryland, Missouri, Ole Miss, Purdue, and Virginia.
Mark Vernon Woodward down as the first of three verbal pledge flips toward Illinois after the prospect had given a commitment to a Big Ten Conference rival program.
Illini 2024 Signee: 3-star CB Amar Reynolds
A 20-year friendship between a Florida high school head coach and Illinois head coach Bret Bielema results in another recruiting victory for Bielema’s college program.
By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst
December 20, 2023
(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)
Player: Amar Reynolds
Position: Cornerback
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 175
Hometown: Vero Beach, Fla.
High School: Vero Beach
Other offers: Charlotte, Florida A&M, Indiana, Western Kentucky, and Middle Tennessee State
The recruitment of Amar Reynolds to Illinois is more of a product in a lot of ways of who you know than what you know.
Illini 2024 Signee: 3-star OLB Daniel Brown
The Illinois football coaching staff believes they’ve signed the nation’s best FBS-ready pass rusher in the nation in the form of Hutchinson Community College edge Daniel Brown.
By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst
December 20, 2023
(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)
Player: Daniel Brown
Position: Outside Linebacker
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 240
Hometown: Kansas City, Mo.
Transfer School: Hutchinson C.C.
Other offers: Alabama State, Buffalo, and Alcorn State.
During the Illinois bye week in October, Illini head coach Bret Bielema visited multiple junior colleges in the Iowa and Kansas area during that five-day period.
Illini 2024 Signee: 3-star CB Chase Canada
Illinois recruited junior college cornerback Chase Canada’s older brother in 2022 and while they lost that battle to TCU, the Illini picked up the younger brother from the same program just a year later.
By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst
December 20, 2023
(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)
Player: Chase Canada
Position: Cornerback
Height: 6-foot-0
Weight: 185
Hometown: Richmond, Texas
Transfer School: Trinity Valley C.C.
Other offers: Charlotte, UConn and Georgia Southern.
The successful recruitment Chase Canada started with Illinois head coach Bret Bielema recruiting a cornerback named Channing Canada out of Trinity Valley Community College in Athens, Texas. Channing eventually would select TCU as his next destination as he recorded 20 tackles, one tackle for loss and a sack in the 2023 campaign with the Horned Frogs.
IlliniGuys Illinois Football Wednesday Night Signing Day Recap
Illinois head coach Bret Bielema claims he recognizes that injuries decimating his program’s line play on both sides of the ball, similarly to what happened in 2023, can’t occur again.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
December 20, 2023
CHAMPAIGN — The Illinois head football coach entered this past summer quietly worried about how thin their depth was on both sides of the line-of-scrimmage and that fear came to reality quickly into the 2023 campaign.
As long as he holds that position at the University of Illinois, Bret Bielema never wants to have that feeling again.
Illini 2024 Signee: 3-star WR Mario Sanders
The only question that remains for junior college signee Mario Sanders is how many different ways Illinois offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. will want to get him involved in the scheme.
By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst
December 20, 2023
(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)
Player: Mario Sanders
Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 5-foot-10
Weight: 190
Hometown: Minneapolis
Transfer: Iowa Central C.C.
Other offers: Eastern Kentucky, UNI, Sam Houston State, and Utah State.
The Illinois football coaching staff believes Sanders, who led all National Junior College Athletics Association players during this past 2023 season in receptions (72), finished second in receiving yards (942) and tied for first in receiving touchdowns (12), could be an instant impact slot receiver starting in the upcoming 2024 season.
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