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By Zeno Jo - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

February 10, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Sunday’s bout against USC was one of the largest non-Field Trip Day crowds for Illinois women’s basketball in recent history. The announced sellout played host to over 10,000, but the volume in the arena didn’t hit high levels until late in the fourth quarter of the 70-62 loss.

That can be attributed to yet another slow start for the Illini out of the gates. In its last five games, Illinois has averaged 70.4 points, but has only managed 27.6 points in the first half, and has also gone 1-4 in that stretch. What does that mean? It means the Illini are struggling to get the ball in the basket early. It’s an issue that head coach Shauna Green and her staff have identified, and will need to fix if they wish to avoid playing on Wednesday of the Big Ten Tournament next month.

“We gotta quit starting and getting ourselves into a hole,” Green said to open her post-game press conference. “We’ve gotta figure this out, and we’ve gotta be better and more disciplined and play with more urgency on the defensive end and (have) more of an aggressive mindset and attack mode on the offensive end so we don’t get down. You can’t get down to these teams in this league because it’s hard to climb out.”

Bobby Hauck, Montana’s 14-year head coach, has agreed to become the new defensive coordinator at Illinois.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

February 9, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Skyline Sports)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Bobby Hauck and his 3-3-5 defensive scheme is coming to Illinois as the 61-year-old longtime head coach has agreed to be the Illini’s new defensive coordinator.

Hauck, who has spent the last eight years in his second stint as the Montana head coach leading one of the powerhouse programs in the Football Championship Subdivision, was announced as Bret Bielema’s choice to replace Aaron Henry as Illinois’ new play-caller for the upcoming 2026 season.

Hauck is expected to bring with him a 3-3-5 defensive scheme that was mentored to him by former San Diego State head coach Rocky Long when Hauck was on Long’s staff as a special teams coach from 2015-17.

Montana finished in the top 20 among FCS programs in scoring defense on three occasions over the last five seasons using this scheme and have ranked in the top five of the Big Sky Conference in scoring defense, total defense, and sacks every season. His defenses have ranked in the top 10 among FCS programs in turnovers forced three times in the last five years, including finishing third nationally last season (27) and second nationally in 2021 (30).

“Since meeting Coach Hauck early on in my head coaching career, I have had tremendous respect for who he is, what he stands for, and the program he has built,” Bielema said via a university release. “He is a family man with incredible attention to detail and a great ability to teach the game to both his staffs and players. Coach Hauck's aggressive defensive scheme, which he learned at San Diego State and developed at Montana, will be an exciting new style that has never been seen here at Illinois.”

By IlliniGuys Staff February 9, 2026 (Cover photo courtesy […]

By Brad Sturdy - IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst & Co-Host, IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular

February 8, 2026

Jeremy Fears scored 26 points and dished out 15 assists to drop Illinois 85-82 in overtime and end the Illinois 12 game winning streak. Illinois struggled to shoot the ball, making just 37% of their attempts and hitting just 28% from 3 and the Spartans hurt Illinois on the glass, outrebounding them by 10 and grabbing 15 offensive boards as they moved back into the Big Ten title race.

Keaton Wagler struggled from the floor, despite his 16 points, he hit just 2-16 from the floor against the physical Michigan State defense.

These 3 Things

The Little Things Matter - Illinois committed a lane violation to give Michigan State a point. Illinois took poor shots early in the shot clock every time they seemed to take control. The Illini failed to get back in transition on numerous occasions, jogging back and giving up transition 3’s. The Illini missed blockouts repeatedly.

By Zeno Jo - IlliniGuys Staff Writer February 8, […]

After fracturing her nose in practice in Oregon, Berry Wallace will debut a form-fitting mask following the logistical nightmare to getting the sophomore forward on the court Wednesday night. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

February 8, 2026

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — In the middle of their Pacific Northwest Big Ten Conference road trip, a significant injury scare, logistical nightmare and help from an opponent caused Berry Wallace to introduce a new look. 

Just minutes into its arrival in Oregon, the Illinois women’s basketball team went into scramble mode to figure out ways their leading scorer could play with a broken nose.

Berry Wallace suffered a broken nose at Illinois’ practice session at the Nike Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon just over 24 hours before the Illini were set to face Oregon on Wednesday evening. Not long after pulling off another victory over a Top 25 opponent, 75-66 at Washington on Feb. 1, Green and the Illini coaches were in an Oregon emergency room waiting to hear from doctors on whether their leading scorer and star forward averaging 19.4 points per game and 6.7 rebounds per contest had a broken orbital bone or any other slight facial fractures following a practice incident that immediately saw Wallace’s eyes get black and purple and the muscles around her cheekbones swell up. 

“I never asked her the question because she just turned to me early and said ‘I’m going to play’,” Illinois head coach Shauna Green said. “Toughness. That’s what Berry Wallace stands for.” 

Illinois freshman sensation Keaton Wagler was bumped, banged and physically overwhelmed in his Breslin Center debut during the Illini’s first loss in 56 days.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

February 8, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Keaton Wagler got his freshman introduction to the Breslin Center.

The freshman sensation, who has already recorded 46 points in Purdue’s Mackey Arena, 28 points at Nebraska, 22 points at Northwestern and 19 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, found out being able to production inside Michigan State’s home arena and against a physical defensive scheme is a different element altogether.

The 12-game losing streak is over after the 6-foot-6 guard was bumped, pushed and physically handled into a 2 of 16 shooting night that show him miss at least four shots at or near the rim that over the last month and a half have easily fallen.

By IlliniGuys Staff February 7, 2026 (Cover photo courtesy […]

By Brad Sturdy - IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst & Co-Host, IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular

February 7, 2026

It's a weekend so it must be another top 10 matchup on the road for Illinois. The Illini are now at the Breslin Center on Saturday night to take on the Michigan State Spartans, a team that has lost two in a row and is hungry for a quality win. Illinois has won 12 straight and sit at top the Big Ten standings at 11-1 in conference play. It’s another big one on Saturday night.

Setting the Stage
#5 Illinois (20-3, 11-1 B1G) at #10 Michigan State (19-4, 9-3 B1G)
Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026 // 7 p.m. CT (8 p.m. ET) // East Lansing, Mich. // Breslin Center
TV: FOX – Jason Benetti (Play-by-Play) & Steve Smith (Analyst)
Radio: Busey Bank Illini Sports Network – Brian Barnhart (Play-By-Play) & Doug Altenberger

Notable
*No. 5 Illinois has a top-10 road game for the third straight weekend, at No. 10 Michigan State on Saturday night. Illinois is riding a 12-game win streak, the program's longest since opening the 2012-13 season at 12-0. It is the longest active winning streak in the Big Ten, second among Power Five teams, and fifth nationally. Illinois is now aiming for its longest streak since winning 15 straight to open the 2005-06 season.

* Illinois has won 10 consecutive Big Ten games, matching its longest streak of the Brad Underwood era in conference play of 10 straight across two seasons from Feb. 25, 2021 through Jan. 14, 2022. Illinois has not won more than 10 consecutive Big Ten games since the school-record streak of 25 in a row from Jan. 7, 2004 through March 3, 2005

*The Illini carry a seven-game Big Ten road win streak dating back to last season, the program's longest since setting the school record with 13 in a row across two seasons from Feb. 3, 2004 through Feb. 19, 2005.

* Illinois is 20-3 overall for the first time since 2005-06. A win Saturday would push the Illini to its best start since the 2004-05 team won its first 29 games. Illinois' current 11-1 Big Ten mark is its best record in conference play since the 2004-05 team won its first 15 league games. The famed 2005 Illini squad swept Big Ten regular season and Tournament titles and advanced to the Final Four, finishing as the NCAA runner-up at 37-2. Illinois has won four straight road games against Top 25 opponents, a streak that dates back to last year's win at No. 15 Michigan (March 2, 2025). This matches the longest streak in program history, since also winning four consecutive ranked road games from Feb. 1, 1966 through Jan. 11, 1969.

By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst

February 7, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

I hope you all enjoyed the Hank Beatty senior season. Just like Pat Bryant and Isaiah Williams before him, Beatty turned in a fantastic final year where he became a huge factor in the offense and put all of his development and growth as a player to good use. Hudson Clement is the only senior on the roster at this point, so if you're a gambling man, you should take the over on his receptions and yards for 2026.

Newcomers
Illinois was very active in the portal seeking to replace the guys I mentioned below, adding Jayshon Platt from Florida Atlantic, Alex Perry from Florida International, and Ty Robinson from Ball State. Platt had 46 catches for 720 yards at Florida Atlantic and added 23.6 yards per kick return. Platt has both track speed and film speed and I was especially happy to see that he'd already added 20 pounds to his skinny frame so that he'd be ready to play right away in the Big Ten at 6'1 195. At this point he's not running the entire route tree, but I'd still project him to be effective on deep balls and even passes or runs that allow him to run in open space. Platt has taken a long time to develop and has only one year of eligibility left, which is a shame because this is a guy who has the tools to be special if he puts it all together. As of this writing I'd project him for a Justin Bowick type of role. If he learns to block, then he could be a starter.

I'm not as high on fellow Floridian Alex Perry from Florida International.

For the first time since Dec. 2022, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema will need to fill a coordinator spot on coaching staff after losing Aaron Henry to Notre Dame. IlliniGuys.com have broken down a potential list of candidates here. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

February 2, 2026

NOTE: It should be known this hot board will be updated based on sourced information during the search process as Illinois head coach Bret Bielema attempts to find his third defensive coordinator hire since Bielema’s arrival in Champaign on Dec. 2020. However, as of now (late evening of Feb. 1), this is a list in no particular order fully based on nothing more than speculation and should not be used as anything more than a guideline on potential candidates. 

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — For the third time since accepting to be Illinois’ head coach in Dec. 2020, Bret Bielema will need to hire a defensive play-caller to his coaching staff just a few months before 2026 spring practices are slated to begin on the University of Illinois campus. 

One of the few logical ways IlliniGuys.com felt to best separate potential candidates for this hot board was in two categories. Before the 2021 season, Bielema publicly discussed his desire to hire coordinators who he’d never worked with and had no previous ties with in his coaching career. Despite obviously filling his assistant coach positions with people he’d either coached, worked with in some capacity or interviewed for previous openings he’d had at either Wisconsin or Arkansas, (defensive line coach Terrance Jamsion, offensive line coach Bart Miller, then-defensive backs coach Aaron Henry, linebackers coach Andy Buh, wide receivers coach George McDonald and chief of staff Mark Taurisani), the Illini head coach said he felt it would be a unhealthy start to hire coordinators he’d had a previous relationship with because he wanted those spots to A) represent a new philosophical beginning to Bielema’s restart in the college game and B) be strictly merit-based hires. Enter the hirings of former Appalachian State offensive coordinator Tony Petersen, former Missouri defensive coordinator Ryan Walters and former Air Force special teams coordinator Ben Miller. The results of this philosophy were mixed as by the end of the 2022 regular season, none of these three men were in these jobs as Petersen was fired after just one season, Walters left to become Purdue’s head coach after two seasons at Illinois and Miller was forced to take a medical leave of absence from the position after being diagnosed with colon cancer. In each of the subsequent searches following the departure of Petersen and Walters, Bielema reversed course on his philosophy and elected to go with people who he’d worked with in the past and had a deep connection with professionally and personally. Barry Lunney Jr. reunited with Bielema in 2022 after Lunney spent five years as the tight ends coach at Arkansas under Bielema from 2013-17. To replace Walters after the 2022 season, Bielema elected to quickly with an in-house promotion of Aaron Henry, who was offered the full-time play-caller role before the 2023 ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa.

Therefore, based on the five-year history of Bielema’s behavior in this decision-making spot, a logical way to categorize this hot board for Bielema’s third defensive coordinator hire should be split between three categories: 1) Those with a previous connection; 2) Those without any previous ties to the Illini head coach; 3) An in-house promotion

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Sr. Recruiting Analyst

February 6, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy player's X page)

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — The hype surrounding Quincy High School do-it-all guard Khloe Nicholson lived up to expectations Thursday night in a conference matchup against the Alleman Pioneers at Don Morris Gymnasium.

Watching the 6-foot-1 guard, the nation’s #17-ranked prep according to ESPN in the 2028 class, it was clear why opposing fans lingered after warmups just to see the future Division I prospect.

One fan summed up the game sitting next to the press area by saying, “I haven’t seen this many reporters at a girls' game this year. Are you guys here to watch the girl for Quincy?”

Shauna Green: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJFFadyamnc    

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

February 6, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Ball State Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Bret Bielema continues his poaching of the former Ball State coaching staff over the past few seasons.

Jared Elliott will be in charge of the tight end position on Bielema’s Illinois coaching staff starting with this spring practices in preparation for the upcoming 2026 season and the 39-year-old brings 18 years of collegiate coaching experience, including four seasons as a head coach and seven years in coordinator roles. Elliott most recently served as the tight ends coach at New Mexico under first-year head coach Jason Eck during the 2025 season, where he helped the Lobos to 9-win season that included an overtime loss to Minnesota in the Rate Bowl.

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Sr. Recruiting Analyst

February 6, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy player's X page)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The Illinois football program has added a late but confident addition to its 2026 recruiting class, securing a commitment from Byron High School athlete Caden Considine, a 6-foot, 205-pound defensive back who believes his best football is still ahead of him.

Considine, a versatile two-way standout, arrives in Champaign embracing the chip on his shoulder that has followed him throughout the recruiting process. Despite gaudy production and championship experience, the Illinois native felt largely overlooked by college programs. That perception only fueled his drive.