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Illinois center Dain Dainja has been a little-used backup this season but Illinois head coach Brad Underwood is trying to find more ways for the Baylor transfer to contribute. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

February 4, 2023

CHAMPAIGN — The mission for Illinois head coach is as uncomplicated as you might think. 

As the calendar has flipped to the final two months of the season, Brad Underwood is convinced he needs to find more minutes for reserve center Dain Dainja. However, in order to accomplish this task, the tradeoff is taking one of his favorite and most versatile bigs, Coleman Hawkins, off the floor. 

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst February 3, 2024 Illinois […]

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

February 3, 2024

Three-star lineman Darrin Strey, a 6-foot-7, 285-pound offensive tackle from Paw Paw, Michigan, recapped his visit with Illinois last weekend. The Illinois staff did a great job of bringing recruits on campus for junior day. 

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

February 2, 2024

Illinois has just shown that it has a type at quarterback, right? If you're a high three-star QB who's a good athlete but also has good but not great throwing ability, you should expect a call from the Illini because that is the type of player Barry Lunney, Jr. has targeted with all three of his quarterback choices so far.

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

February 2, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at some big-name guys that Bret Bielema is trying to hang in with.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

February 2, 2024

While Illinois's assistant coach Chester Frazier is helping lead the 14th-ranked Fighting Illini to victories, he is also a masterful recruiter which is the livelihood of any successful program.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

February 1, 2024

One of the most convenient prep football players in the state of Illinois in the class of 2025 is Andre Lovett, an athlete from Blue Island, Illinois. The Illinois native was once again on campus, giving Illinois the attention and the Illini returning the level of excitement.

Illinois freshmen duo Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn and Amani Hansberry were both forced into action late in the first half of the win at Ohio State but performed more than adequately in emergency relief.  

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

February 1, 2024

COLUMBUS, Ohio — In a critical conference game away from home, Illinois found itself in a situation where two of its most important players had two fouls in the first half and head coach Brad Underwood desperately looked down his bench.

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

January 31, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at the new (and expected) commitment from OT Griffin Rousseau and another player on commit watch.

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

January 31, 2024

The Illini did what they needed to do on Monday night when they thumped Ohio State 87-75 in Columbus to move to 16-5 and 7-3 halfway through the Big Ten slate. Perhaps an even bigger story is the return of the real Terrence Shannon. The star guard had his best performance since returning from suspension with 23 points to go along with 23 from Marcus Domask. Ty Rodgers had 13 points and 10 rebounds for his 2nd double-double as the Illini got their 3rd road win in Big Ten play. 

These 3 Things

Illinois guard Terrence Shannon Jr. showcased every bit of the dangerous game he possesses that led him to getting All-America honors hype before his suspension

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 31, 2024

COLUMBUS, Ohio — After intensely studying the body language of his most prized teammate for several months, Marcus Domask quickly knew Terrence Shannon Jr. was back to her old form. 

By IlliniGuys Staff January 30, 2024 (Cover photo courtesy […]

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

January 30, 2024

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)

The Fighting Illini are back on the road, this time at Ohio State. The Buckeyes are another talented, yet underachieving team that are looking for a signature win. The Illini need another roadie to offset their home loss to Maryland and stay in the Big Ten race. 

Setting the Stage

#14 Illinois (15-5, 6-3 B1G) at Ohio State (13-7, 3-6 B1G) 

Jan. 30, 2024 // 6 p.m. CT (7 p.m. ET) // Columbus, Ohio // Value City Arena 

Stream: Peacock – Jac Collinsworth (Play-by-Play), Stephen Bardo (Analyst) 

Radio: Busey Bank Illini Sports Network – Brian Barnhart (Play-By-Play), Doug Altenberger

Notable

*Tuesday’s game will be Illinois’ first on Peacock, NBC’s streaming platform. Fans will need to purchase a Peacock subscription to watch the game, which is available starting at $5.99 per month or $59.99 annually.

In what will likely be the most tame road environment of the 2023-24 season, Illinois guard Terrence Shannon endured “no means no” and “guilty” chants at Northwestern.

By Matt Stevens/IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 30, 2024

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)

CHAMPAIGN — The scene was almost impossible to ignore following the post-game handshakes at mid-court at Welsh-Ryan Arena.

Following the 96-91 overtime loss at Northwestern, Terrence Shannon Jr. was entering the tunnel to the visitors locker room with a fan pointing directly at the 23-year-old guard and shouting one word of “rapist”.

For everybody who was curious at how a road game with the newly reinstated All-Big Ten player would look, feel and be, the one-word description was uncomfortable.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

January 30, 2024

Illinois men's and women's basketball programs are still actively involved in talented high school players. The world of the transfer portal is a new way of life in terms of basketball rosters.