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Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

January 7, 2023 

There is an old saying about striking while the iron is hot.

Isaiah Adams, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema’s latest junior college biggest success story in his overall pilgrimage to restore the Illini offensive line, is returning to college for the 2023 season. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 7, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Arguably the most physically punishing Illinois offensive lineman in the 2022 season is returning for his final year of eligibility. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

January 7, 2023

Aaliyah Guyton is a 2024 5-foot-9 guard from Peoria High School

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Basketball Analyst

January 6, 2023

Illinois added its third four-star quarterback in two calendar years on Thursday as Luke Altmyer from Mississippi decided to join the trend of Mississippi natives coming to Champaign.

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.

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

January 6, 2023

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

A couple of 2025 updates and why Luke Altmyer is a good fit for what Illinois wants to do in this Farrell Files Illini edition.

Illini coach Shauna Green and players Kendall Bostic and […]

The 85-79 victory was Illinois’ first win over Northwestern […]

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting 

January 5, 2023

Owen Strebig, a 6-foot-7, 285-pound offensive tackle from Catholic Memorial High School

By Brad Sturdy - IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst

January 5, 2023

(Cover photo Illinois Athletics)

The Illini are now 0-3 in Big Ten play after a 73-60 loss at Northwestern that saw the lack of offense rear its ugly head again against a veteran Northwestern squad. The Wildcats turned a 4 point deficit into a big lead with a 22-2 run in the second half as the Illini fell to 9-5 overall. Northwestern moved top 11-3 and 2-1 in Big Ten play with the win.

Here’s what we saw:

In a 73-60 loss at Northwestern, Illinois forward Coleman Hawkins’ unselfish tendency to become a pass-first and sometimes pass-only player is hampering the Illini’s offense. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 5, 2023

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Curing the mystery of whatever is going on in the mind of Coleman Hawkins has gone from an understanding to a polite suggestion transforming into a loud, ill-mannered demand and now is a tortured plea. 

IlliniGuys Staff January 4, 2023 EVANSTON, Ill. - Chase […]

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

January 4, 2023

For the past three years, the Illinois basketball program has been keeping a close eye on 2024 center James Brown from St. Rita High School.

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.