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NR/#24 Illinois (9-4, 0-2) at Northwestern (10-3, 1-1)

Jan. 4, 2023 // 8 p.m. CT // Evanston, Ill. // Welsh-Ryan Arena

TV: BTN – Brandon Gaudin (Play-by-Play), Robbie Hummel

Radio: Busey Bank Illini Sports Network – Brian Barnhart (Play-By-Play), Doug Altenberger // SiriusXM 109/195, SXM App 957

Illinois starts off 2023 on the road, resuming Big Ten play Wednesday night at Northwestern (8 p.m. CT, BTN). This begins a stretch of six games in 15 days for the Illini, with two-day preps for each of the next six games.

Illinois has won eight straight against Northwestern in a series that has featured many close games as of late, with nine of the last 10 decided by single digits, including six by five points or less. Illinois’ current eight-game winning streak is its longest over the Wildcats since winning 11 straight from Feb. 28, 2004-Dec. 30, 2009. Illinois’ three-game winning streak in Evanston, meanwhile, is its longest since winning four in a row at WelshRyan Arena from Jan. 15, 2005-Feb. 12, 2009.

Illinois is the only team in the country with two KenPom top-10 wins (No. 4 UCLA and No. 6 Texas).

Matthew Mayer enters the Northwestern game just 11 points away from scoring 1,000 for his career (989). Mayer has scored at least 14 points in four of the last five games, with two 21-point outings. He is averaging 15.8 ppg over this stretch, shooting 53.7% from the field (29-54) and 45.5% from three (15-33).

Terrence Shannon Jr. ranks third in the Big Ten in scoring, averaging 17.8 ppg. Shannon is one of four power conference players averaging at least 17 points, five rebounds, two assists and one steal per game (Jalen Wilson-Kansas, Keyontae Johnson-Kansas State & Jaime Jaquez-UCLA). Shannon is second in the B1G in both free throws made (66) and attempted (85). Shannon leads the Big Ten with 11 games of 13+ points, and is fourth in the B1G with four 20+ point games. After scoring a season-low four points vs. Penn State on Dec. 10, Shannon is averaging 17.7 points over the last three games (53). Shannon did not shoot a free throw against the Nittany Lions, but has since averaged 7.3 points at the foul line over the last three games (22-28).

Dain Dainja is coming off a career-high 22-point performance vs. Bethune Cookman last Thursday, his first time scoring in double figures in nine games. Dainja ranks 13th nationally in 2-point field goal percentage at 74.7% (59-79). Dainja has made at least 60% from the field in 11 of 13 games.

Coleman Hawkins is one of three players nationally averaging at least nine points, six rebounds, three assists and one steal (Drew Timme-Gonzaga & Jalen Slawson-Furman).

Freshman Jayden Epps has 22 points the last two games (11.0 ppg) after totaling 21 points the previous four games (5.3 ppg). Fellow freshman Sencire Harris has 20 points over the last two games (10.0 ppg) after combining for just nine points the previous five games (1.8 ppg).

Illinois is a balanced offensive team, with seven players averaging at least seven points. Illinois has had five players record a 20-point game this season, and eight players reach double figures scoring. Five different players have been Illinois’ leading scorer in a game, while seven different players have been the UI’s top rebounder in a game.

Northwestern will look to open conference play 2-1 for just the third time in the last 17 seasons: 2005-06 (2-1) and 2020-21 (3-0). Illinois has a 144-42 advantage in the all-time series. Head coach Chris Collins is 4-12 in his career against Illinois.

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

January 4, 2023

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

The Illini lost their bowl game to an inspired Mississippi State team 19-10 and now the focus is on the portal.

By Brad Sturdy - IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst

January 3, 2023

(Photos courtesy Steve Snider/IlliniGuys)

The Illini fell 19-10 to Mississippi State in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Monday in a game that they led for most of the afternoon before a couple of late scores flipped the script. The Bulldogs made numerous key plays late to set up a game winning field goal in the final seconds. The ‘desperado’ play by Illinois to end it led to a fumble return for a TD to give us the 19-10 final. 

Isaiah Williams had 9 catches for 114 yards, while Tommy DeVito hit on 23-34 passes for 253 yards, but the Illini failed to convert a key 3rd down with 2 minutes to play and allowed 7 sacks and 10 tackles for loss. 

Here’s what we saw…

Fourth-year sophomore wide receiver Isaiah Williams left little doubt who the most impressive athlete on the Raymond James Stadium turf was in Illinois’ first January bowl win since 1990. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 3, 2022

TAMPA, Fla. -- Since the day of the bowl announcement, Isaiah Williams kept saying how this experience felt different than his first postseason game experience three years ago. 

The Illinois tailback duo of Reggie Love and Josh McCray couldn’t make up the difference of a missing Doak Walker Award finalist. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

January 2, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Nathan Ray Seebeck/USA Today Sports)

TAMPA, Fla. -- Bret Bielema has brought the mentality to Illinois that “what we do” is producing 100-yard rushers but without the services of Chase Brown, the running game stalled in the Illini head coach’s first bowl game. 

Without Chase Brown, who elected to opt out of this bowl game and concentrate his efforts into the upcoming National Football League draft, the duo of Reggie Love and a notably healthy Josh McCray was not enough to make up the difference from the absence of the Big Ten Conference’s leading rusher. 

By IlliniGuys Staff January 2, 2023 (Cover photo courtesy […]

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

January 2, 2023

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

The focus is on the bowl game of course and Illinois is unlike some other programs in this respect.

Game Preview: 2023 ReliaQuest Bowl - No. 22 Mississippi […]

January 2, 2023 The first ever IlliniGuys football picks […]

Illinois defensive lineman Jer'Zhan Newton played his high school football games just 30 minutes from Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium. 

 By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

January 1, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

TAMPA, Fla. -- Illinois’ star defensive lineman believes their will be a ‘Johnny Newton section’ decided to just him for the 2023 ReliaQuest Bowl. 

Since the moment Illinois (8-4) was selected to play in Tampa for its bowl game against No. 22 Mississippi State (8-4) for the Illini’s first New Year’s bowl game since 2007, Newton has been acting as a ticket broker on the roster trying to manufacture and convince teammates to give me their allotment of tickets to play the final game of the 2022 season just 30 minutes from where he played high school football at Clearwater Central Catholic. 

By IlliniGuys Staff January 1, 2023 (Cover photo courtesy […]

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

January 6, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

No one within or surrounding the Illini basketball program thought the Orange and Blue career of Skyy Clark would last four years.  It turns out, it may not even last four months.

In a shocking development, the former five-star Skyy Clark has decided to take a break from the Illinois program after one semester and just 13 games. Clark was given the keys to drive the team, but lost his starting job to fellow freshman Sencire Harris as head coach Brad Underwood shook up his lineup and wanted to promote Harris' tenacity on defense.

By Larry Smith/IlliniGuys Staff

January 1, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)

The month of December couldn't have been more inconsistent for Fighting Illini basketball. 

Struggle in their first true road game at Maryland.  Whip a powerhouse Texas team in overtime in New York City three nights later in a primetime marquee matchup.

Fall flat at home against Penn State.  Record a 21-point win over Alabama A&M after exam week.  Get an historic punch in the mouth against Missouri.

The roller coaster left Illini Nation feeling queasy around Christmas weekend and perhaps unsure if they wanted to open any gifts in orange and blue wrapping under the tree.  But Illini coach Brad Underwood never hesitated.

Fenelus drove down to Tampa Friday night with his family and attended Illinois’ Saturday afternoon practice session. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

Illini defensive coordinator Aaron Henry (left) and defensive backs coach Antonio Fenelus (center) at the 2012 Rose Bowl news conference during their Wisconsin Badgers playing days. (Courtesy Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports)

December 31, 2022

TAMPA, Fla. -- As soon as Ryan Walters accepted the Purdue head coach job, Bret Bielema know the answer of who he’d be hiring and Saturday the Illinois second-year coach answered the question of why it was Antonio Fenelus. 

Fenelus, who will turn 33 years old on January 19, was a four-year letterwinner at safety for Wisconsin under Bielema as the Badgers head coach and the defensive back from Boca Raton shined as a senior in 2011 where earned first-team All-Big Ten Conference honors. However, it was Fenelus’ experience and perceived work ethic outside of being under Bielema’s purview that has made the Illini head coach want to bring his former player back on staff as soon as possible.

Illinois Football looks to add to the history books with a win at Raymond James Stadium Jan. 2, 2023.

Zain Bando, IlliniGuys Correspondent

December 31, 2022 

Throughout the long-standing history of Illinois football, January bowl games simply mean more.