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B1G Basketball Schedule Released - Sturdy on What It Means

B1G Basketball Schedule Released - Sturdy on What It Means

Brad Sturdy, IlliniGuy

September 8, 2022

We have known who the Illini were going to play in the Big Ten since June 16th, but what we didn’t know was when they were going to play them.

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Zain Bando - The Twitter-verse Needs to Relax

Zain Bando - The Twitter-verse Needs to Relax

One Private Message Showed the Bad Apples of Sports “Fans.”

Zain Bando, IlliniGuys Contributor

September 8, 2022

In the aftermath of the gut-wrenching 23-20 loss to Indiana Sept. 2

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Recruiting: Talented Defensive Back Prospect Makes Second Visit To Illinois Campus This Weekend

Recruiting: Talented Defensive Back Prospect Makes Second Visit To Illinois Campus This Weekend

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting

September 8, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy Saboor Karriem)

There is a big non-conference football game this weekend in Champaign as Illinois takes on Virginia at Memorial Stadium.

That gives the Illini an opportunity to host an outstanding cornerback from West Orange, New Jersey. Saboor Karriem is a 6-foot-3, 180-pound three-star recruit who will be making his second visit to campus.

We caught up with West Orange High School coach Darnell Grant, who shared his thoughts on Karriem and the Illinois coaches after his first visit back on June 3rd.

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Hightower’s Text to Bielema After Indiana Loss: ‘I didn’t lie. I caught that ball.’

Hightower’s Text to Bielema After Indiana Loss: ‘I didn’t lie. I caught that ball.’

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema all but confirmed Monday that he sent the review of Hightower’s play in the corner of the end zone in the second quarter at Indiana to the Big Ten Conference office.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 8, 2022

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- By the time the bus carrying the Illinois football team and staff arrived back on its campus on Saturday morning, Brian Hightower felt the need to make sure his head coach still trusted him.

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The Trench Report: Indiana

The Trench Report: Indiana

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

September 7, 2022

Last Friday was a rough day for the Orange and Blue but the good news is that the defensive front seven performed very well all day. 

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The Farrell Report - Potential Football Visitors at Virginia Game

The Farrell Report - Potential Football Visitors at Virginia Game

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

September 7, 2022

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

The Illini host Virginia this weekend in what has become a must win for their bowl chances by most accounts.

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Illini’s Search For No. 2 Tailback Behind Chase Brown Still Ongoing

Illini’s Search For No. 2 Tailback Behind Chase Brown Still Ongoing

Neither Illinois head coach Bret Bielema nor offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. are sure who to put on the field when All-Big Ten tailback Chase Brown needs an in-game break. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 6, 2022

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- The search for Illinois’ second tailback behind Chase Brown is still ongoing. 

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Illinois Assistants Are Ranked Among The Best

Illinois Assistants Are Ranked Among The Best

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting

September 6, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)

One of Illinois head coach Brad Underwood's favorite buzzwords is “Elite.” What Underwood has done in just six years at Illinois has put together an elite group of assistant coaches.

The future of any collegiate program is how well teams can recruit. During Underwood's short time at Illinois, he has put together some of the best staffs in the game.  Twice!

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Lunney on Bielema’s Influence on Illini Offense: “Coach has repeatedly empowered me”

Lunney on Bielema’s Influence on Illini Offense: “Coach has repeatedly empowered me”

llinois offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. will not hear of anybody saying his boss, Bret Bielema, is tying his hands with his scheme. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 6, 2022

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Barry Lunney Jr. didn’t need much time at all to shoot down any implication that his boss is micromanaging his offensive scheme. 

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Illini Freshman WR Shawn Miller Out For Remainder of 2022 Season

Illini Freshman WR Shawn Miller Out For Remainder of 2022 Season

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Beat Reporter

September 5, 2022

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Illinois freshman wide receiver Shawn Miller

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Illini Film Review: Bielema Ball Ends One Yard From Victory

Illini Film Review: Bielema Ball Ends One Yard From Victory

Illinois had two plays to get two yards to seal the Big Ten Conference opener at Indiana and couldn’t punch it. We examine what happened to allow Illinois to get stuffed. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

September 5, 2022

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- One yard. 

For the rest of time as we know it, any record book will show Illinois lost its 2022 Big Ten Conference opener at Indiana by three and while that is true, points is not entirely the most accurate measuring stick to use in this endeavor. 

Illinois lost Friday night by three…as in feet. The Illini (1-1, 0-1 in Big Ten) failed to get three yards (and based on the spot of the ball it was probably less than a yard) on a fourth-and-goal situation where Barry Lunney Jr.’s offense could’ve taken an eight-point lead and all but guaranteed itself a 2-0 start to the 2022 campaign. 

However, Chase Brown was stuffed for a three-yard loss and managed to just total one yard on the three goal-to-go carries he was given on a night where finished with 199 yards on 36 carries and a 5.5 yard-per-carry average against Indiana’s undersized defensive front. 

Let’s take a look at how Illinois failed to put this game away and left Illini head coach Bret Bielema so frustrated leaving Bloomington with his first career loss to Indiana. 

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The Farrell Report - Indiana Loss Implications

The Farrell Report - Indiana Loss Implications

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

September 5, 2022

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

This isn’t how it was supposed to go.

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Recruiting: 2023 Wheaton Academy QB Pays Illinois A Second Visit

Recruiting: 2023 Wheaton Academy QB Pays Illinois A Second Visit

y Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting

September 4, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy the Brummel family)

Belay Brummel is another Illinois prep who Illinois is looking to possibly add to the class of 2023.

Brummel is listed as a 6-foot-1, 180-pound quarterback from Wheaton Academy in Chicago, a preparatory school.

Head coach Bret Bielema, in his second year at the helm, said, "Great programs develop depth, being able to recognize talented players that fit what you're doing. If you look at the successful programs all across the country that's what they have."

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Big Ten Top 10 Incoming Basketball Freshman Rankings

Big Ten Top 10 Incoming Basketball Freshman Rankings

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting 

September 4, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy Nashville Tennessean)

It's Labor Day weekend and that means we are this much closer to the first official day of college basketball practice. 

It does not matter if you are a Big Ten fan or not, the conference and its rich history deserve your respect. Some of the best players to ever play the game came from the Big Ten. 

Illinois head coach Brad Underwood said once, "The coaching in this league is tough; you better bring it night in and night out or you will get beat."

For example, last year the Nebraska Cornhuskers finished the season in conference play at 4-14 and went on the road to beat first-place Wisconsin - which finished at 15-5 - 74-73 with two of their best players out of action.

Now comes a new group of talented freshmen who will be expected to continue to keep the bar at the top when it comes to recruiting. 

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Heat Checks and Hail Marys - Implications of the Hoosier Loss

Heat Checks and Hail Marys - Implications of the Hoosier Loss

Mike Cagley, IlliniGuy September 4, 2022 The loss to […]

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