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Brad Sturdy, Co-Host IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular & Big Sports Radio

January 25, 2024

Usually, if you score 91 points you should win basketball games. But usually, the opponent doesn’t score 96 while shooting 55% from the floor and 61% from 3. That’s a recipe for a loss. The Illini beat Northwestern by 30 just 3 weeks ago but the Cats turned the tables and got the overtime win 96-91 on Wednesday evening. 

Here’s what we saw. 

Northwestern guard Boo Buie and his friends manhandled Illinois’ defensive scheme on simple ball-screen switches in route to the Illini’s 96-91 overtime loss. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 25, 2024

EVANSTON — Three words was all Brad Underwood needed to describe Illinois’ inability to effectively guard Northwestern in the final 25 minutes of a crushing road for the Illini. 

By IlliniGuys Staff January 24, 2024 (Cover photo courtesy […]

Brad Sturdy, Co-Host IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular & Big Sports Radio as well as the Illini Insider

January 24, 2024

After beating a team by 30 at home, it should mean an easy road win, especially considering the return of All-American Guard Terrence Shannon. But life on the road in the Big Ten isn’t that easy. 

Just 3 weeks ago, Illinois dominated Northwestern 96-66 at the State Farm Center without Shannon, but it’s going to be much more difficult in Evanston. The Wildcats are 3-0 at home in Big Ten play. Having already beaten Purdue, Michigan State and Maryland. Illinois is 2-1 on the road, losing only at Purdue and it should be a fairly evenly split crowd. 

Let’s look at the particulars. 

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys & Big Sports Radio National Football Recruiting Expert

January 24, 2024

(Mike Farrell also has his own website: https://mikefarrellsports.com/)

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll break down the new hire at defensive back.

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting

January 23, 2024

Illinois commit Berry Wallace was named to the 2024 McDonald's All-American game today. Wallace is only the third player in the school's history to play in the prestigious game, joining 6-foot-3 post Destiny Williams in 2009 and Chatrice White in 2014.

Illinois bringing in 30-year coaching veteran David Gibbs to […]

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting

January 23, 2024

(Photo courtesy Morez Johnson)

In recent days the buzz around the Illinois program has been great. Illinois received news that its All-American wing Terrence Shannon Jr. was going to return, then handily beat Rutgers at home 86-63, and then on Monday receiving a commitment from the highest-rated recruit in well over 20 years when Jeremiah Fears committed to Illinois.

A player who will suit up for Illinois this fall is Morez Johnson from Thornton High School. The 6-foot-9, 220-pound forward is the leading candidate for Mr. Basketball in the state but found out Tuesday that he just missed out on making the final cut for the McDonald's All-American game.  According to a source,

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

January 23, 2024

A Michigan prep has a list of great offers for some of the big-name programs in college football. Gregory Patrick from Portage Northern High School in Michigan is a highly touted recruit in the class of 2026.

When Illinois joined the offer list last week, he insisted that Illinois will have a legitimate shot. 

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys & Big Sports Radio National Football Recruiting Expert

January 23, 2024

(Mike Farrell also has his own website: https://mikefarrellsports.com/)

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at OL Branden Hansen in four categories and break down a big 2025 unofficial visit that just happened.

Brad Sturdy, Co-Host IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular & Big Sports Radio and on the Mount Rushmore of Illini Insiders

January 22, 2024

The Illini added talented 2025 guard Jeremiah Fears on Monday as their first commitment in the class of 2025. Fears is ranked in the top 50 on virtually every service and should make an immediate impact at Illinois.

Let’s breakdown his areas of strength and weaknesses and were he needs to grow over the next 20 months before he begins his collegiate career. 

Class of 2025 Rankings

ESPN - #16
24/7 - #44
Rivals - #27
HoopSeen - #37
On3 - #51

Fears is a dynamic 6’3 guard that can

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting January 22, 2024 […]

Brad Sturdy, Co-Host IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular & Big Sports Radio, IlliniGuys Resident Illini Guru & the man who puts "Zoom" into IlliniGuys Subscriber Zoom tonight at 7:15 pm central

January 22, 2024

It doesn’t usually matter where they came from or how old they are, it takes time for transfers to find their fit and adjust to the new playing style. We have seen this before. In 2018-19, Andrez Feliz started slowly, but continued to improve and became a fan favorite down the stretch in that season as the young Illini improved and Feliz showed the toughness and shot making ability that made him so important the following season. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

January 22, 2024

Today is decision day for top 25 guard Jeremiah Fears; the ESPN nationally ranked and the four-star guard will make his college destination final this afternoon in Arizona at 2 p.m. CT.

The 6-foot-3 guard has been tight-lipped about where he is going to end up. Those close to the situation feel it is a three-team race between Illinois, Ole Miss, and Providence.

After just two practices, the Illinois high-powered fast break was suddenly back in a 23-point blowout win over Rutgers with the return of potential All-American guard Terrence Shannon Jr.

Matthew Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

PHOTO CREDIT: Matthew Stevens/IlliniGuys.com

January 21, 2024

CHAMPAIGN — Gentlemen, restart your engines. 

After just two team practices following a three-week internal suspension, Terrence Shannon Jr. was back behind the wheel of the Illinois high velocity transition game in an 86-63 blowout win over Rutgers in front of a sold-out State Farm Center crowd.