Featured

(EDITOR'S NOTE: IlliniGuys co-founder Larry Smith has covered sports from the local to the international level for 35 years, including 12 Final Fours and six NBA Finals.  He is the creator of the Dirty Dozen, an office pool selection matrix that is 12-0 in its existence.)

By Larry Smith - IlliniGuys Staff

(Cover photo courtesy The Sporting News)

---I'm jumping off the Illini rollercoaster until March 16th.  That's when Illinois will play its opening round NCAA tournament (or will be doing the usual pregame media/practice routine the day before their opener). 

Another emotionless and energy-free first 20 minutes puts Illinois in a massive hole that they can’t dig out of in a disappointing 72-60 loss at Ohio State. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

February 26, 2023

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- After experiencing another first half where Illinois showed little energy and arguably even less execution on either end, the program’s sixth-year head coach simply shook his head and uttered the honest three-word nobody wanted to hear. 

By IlliniGuys Staff

February 26, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Jada Peebles tied a season-high with 20 points as #25 Illinois jumped out to a 21-8 lead at the end of the first quarter and cruised to a 75-53 victory at Rutgers Sunday afternoon.

The win caps off an historic season for the Illini program and head coach Shauna Green.  The 21 wins is the most ever under a first-year coach and ties the third highest win total in team history, while the 11 Big Ten victories is one shy of tying the program record.

By IlliniGuys Staff February 26, 2023 (Cover photo courtesy […]

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

February 26, 2023

I think it is pretty safe to say that the University of Illinois men's basketball team did very well for itself in the transfer portal last season. 

Brad Sturdy, Co-Host IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular

February 26, 2023

Illinois (19-9, 10-7) at Ohio State (11-17, 3-14) 

February 24, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

Larry Smith: Three Illini women have been named District all Academic - Geo Lopes, Kendall Bostic, and - the IlliniGal herself -  Adalia McKenzie. She gets those dubs and she gets those A’s!  Adalia – congratulations!

Adalia McKenzie: Thank you so much!

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

February 25, 2023

Morez Johnson from St. Rita High School already appears to be a fan favorite, because he committed to the Illini two years ago.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

February 25, 2023

When athletic director Josh Whitman hired football coach Bret Bielema

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular

February 24, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Right before the halftime buzzer, Northwestern guard Boo Buie knew in his mind that Illinois didn’t have a guard to handle his offensive skills. 

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

February 24, 2023

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll break down some of the wide receiver targets for 2024 and review the 2023 defensive line haul versus the rest of the Big Ten.

By IlliniGuys Staff

February 23, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Terrence Shannon Jr., in his first action after missing two games due to a co scored 24 of his team-high 26 points in the second half as Illinois rallied from a season-worst 18 point halftime deficit to shock 21st ranked Northwestern 66-62 Thursday night at State Farm Center.

The victory overshadows a career-high 35 points from Wildcats star guard Boo Buie, but who was held without a field goal for the final 12 minutes of the game.

From Illinois Sports Information Office & IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst Brad Sturdy

February 23, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

Illinois (18-9, 9-7) vs. #21/22 Northwestern (20-7, 11-5)
Feb. 23, 2023 // 8 p.m. CT // Champaign, Ill. // State Farm Center
TV: BTN – Kevin Kugler (Play-by-Play), Robbie Hummel (Analyst)
Radio: Busey Bank Illini Sports Network – Brian Barnhart (Play-By-Play), Deon Thomas (Analyst) // SiriusXM 383, SXM App 973

Illinois plays its penultimate game at State Farm Center on Thursday night, facing No. 21 Northwestern. Illinois is 4-3 against ranked opponents this season and has won 15 of its last 24 games vs. Top 25 teams.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

February 23, 2023

The class of 2025 seems so far away, but in reality, it is right around the corner.

Illinois will likely have a limited timeframe to figure out how to play its best basketball at the most important time of the season without two key players.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

February 22, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Shauna Green says she’ll be in the office at the Ubben Basketball Facility beginning a game plan for the season finale against Rutgers.