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By IlliniGuys Staff October 30, 2023 (Cover photo courtesy […]

Illinois head coach Brad Underwood previewed what he believes is the perfect go-to lineup down the stretch of a game in an exhibition win over No. 1 Kansas. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

October 30, 2023

CHAMPAIGN — Coming out of the final media timeout, there was an age limit to get on the floor for Illinois, which is exactly what Brad Underwood has wanted. 

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

October 30, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)

The Illini and Jayhawks got together and raised over $1 million for the Maui relief fund and a basketball game broke out. And what a fun game it was. The #25 Illini took care of business with an 82-75 win over the #1 Jayhawks behind 28 points from Terrence Shannon, who led 4 players in double figures for Illinois to offset 22 points from Hunter Dickinson and 25 points from Kevin McCullar. 

The game didn’t count for their record, but there is no question that Illinois showed they can compete with anyone. The Illini led by as many as 8 points and led for 36:18 in this one. The Illini lost the points in the paint battle 50-22 in this one, but found a way to out rebound the Jayhawks 39-32. 

Here’s a look at what we saw: 

These Three Things

Let the Old Men In - “Been there, done that,” was what Brad Underwood said at the post game presser in reference to the geriatric crew that finished the game.

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

October 30, 2023

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at a new key offer in the 2025 class and have more on QB commit Trey Petty.

By IlliniGuys Staff October 29, 2023 (Cover photo courtesy […]

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

October 29, 2023

Champaign, Ill.–Sunday Illinois commit Morez Johnson is at the State Farm Center tonight, watching his future teammates. 

(Editor's Note: IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular co-host Mike Cagley interviewed […]

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting

October 29, 2023

The Illinois football team is currently 3-5. It is not the first half of the season it expected; after a tough loss to the Wisconsin Badgers on Homecoming, the Illini will have a week off. Head coach Bret Bielema said he plans to use the off weekend to get healthy and recruit. 

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

October 29, 2023

Self's Return & Maui Strong Fundraiser

Former Illinois Head Coach Bill Self brings his #1 preseason Kansas Jayhawks to the State Farm Center on Sunday evening for an exhibition to benefit the Maui Strong Fund, a benefit for those that lost so much in the Maui wildfires this past summer. If you would like to donate the link can be found here.

https://www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/strengthening/maui-strong-fund

The #25 Illini and the #1 Jayhawks met in a secret scrimmage a year ago that saw the Illini come away with a win, but this will look much different. It’s unclear how they will set this game up, as a true exhibition game with 20-minute halves or will they break it into segments as they have done in prior scrimmages. Regardless, both teams are looking to find out more about their squads. 

Tickets for this event are still available, starting at just $40, and can be purchased online at FightingIllini.com.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

October 29, 2023

Illinois has one very loyal committed prep entering the class of 2024, Angelo McCullom, a defensive lineman from Lewis Center, Ohio. He has made the 276-mile trip to Champaign over four times now.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

Cover Photo Courtesy Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys

October 28, 2023

Illinois head football coach Bret Bielema told the media on the day he was hired that he plans to stay in Champaign, build a house, and raise his kids in the community.

With Illinois head coach Bret Bielema and Illini offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. on the sidelines Friday night, the program’s 2024 class verbal commitment at quarterback was more than impressive.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

October 28, 2023

STARKVILLE, Miss. — With a live audience including the two Illinois coaches who primarily recruited him, Trey Petty displayed all the physical qualities that led him to be the program’s 2024 class verbal pledge at quarterback. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

October 28, 2023

Freshman Myson Johnson-Cook visited Illinois once again for the Wisconsin game. Each time the 6'3", 205 pound, Decatur, Illinois, youngster visits the campus, the more and more he learns and becomes in awe of his home state university.

Illinois offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. built a fruitful pipeline in Starkville, Mississippi as the Illini plan to enroll the last two starting quarterbacks from that town’s high school. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

October 27, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

STARKVILLE, Miss. —  Barry Lunney Jr.’s two big recruiting wins since arriving at Illinois have both come from building a pipeline in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi. 

In late December, three days before the Illini would play in the 2023 ReliaQuest Bowl, Luke Altmyer announced his intention to transfer to Illinois from Ole Miss. The Illinois offensive coordinator was the host of Altmyer’s recruiting visit to the campus earlier in Dec. 2022 to make an impact with his southern roots, family and his promise to development Altmyer, who was a former four-star prospect coming out of Starkville High School, on the football field after the quarterback’s less than enjoyable experience in two seasons at Ole Miss under head coach Lane Kiffin. 

After securing the Illini’s present (and future because of Altmyer’s three years of eligibility), Lunney secured his first significant recruiting victory of a high school prospect at the quarterback position in the form of a verbal pledge of current Starkville High’s Trey Petty.

Despite playing a significant amount of his 66 snaps Saturday with his hand in the ground, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema insists Gabe Jacas isn’t moving to a new position. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

October 26, 2023

CHAMPAIGN — Bret Bielema doesn’t want to hear more talk that Gabe Jacas is changing positions.