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An NCAA football playoff that mimics its basketball tournament isn't as hard as you might think.

By Larry Smith - IlliniGuys Staff

December 4, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy TCU Athletics)

There was one thing missing from college football's Championship Saturday:

Reward.

11th ranked Utah upset #4 USC for the Pac-12 title.  #10 Kansas State stunned 3rd ranked TCU in overtime to take the prize in the Big 12.  Both losses could knock the Trojans and Horned Frogs out of the four-team College Football Playoff.  Neither win does anything for the Utes or Wildcats in their quest for a national title.

So...what's the point?

Veteran defensive back Nicario Harper finds what will be his fourth home in five years out of the transfer portal.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

December 3, 2022

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- The fourth school in the last five years for defensive back Nicario Harper will be the University of Illinois.

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By Larry Smith - IlliniGuys Staff

December 3, 2022

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - There is something to be said about firsts.

The first time you had a wreck on your bicycle.  The first time you walked into a new classroom.  The first time getting behind the wheel of a car.  That first kiss.  Just to name a few.

All cause moments of apprehension or fear.  The hope is to survive them with as few scars as possible.

Friday night at Maryland was the first time #16 Illinois walked onto the home court of another team after five games at State Farm Center and a pair of contests at a state-of-the-art arena in Las Vegas.

Brad Sturdy, Co-Host IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular

December 3, 2022

Illini Can’t Close

The Illini fell 71-66 in College Park on Friday night in front of a raucous crowd.

Despite a second half rally, Illinois loses Big Ten Conference opener at No. 22 Maryland 71-66 as the Terrapins shoot 9 of 23 from three-point range. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

December 2, 2022

All of Jahmir Young’s four three-point shots were devastating to Illinois’ effort to win its Big Ten Conference opener but none of them were bigger than the game-sealing he swished with 14 seconds left.

IlliniGuys Staff

December 2, 2022

#16 ILLINOIS (6-1, 0-0) Basketball Game Notes

at #22 Maryland (7-0, 0-0)

Dec. 2, 2022 | 8 p.m. CT (9 p.m. ET) | BTN | College Park, Md. | Xfinity Center

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

December 2, 2022

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

December 5 is looming as the first official day the FBS portal opens.

Bret Bielema’s bully ball philosophy nets every 2022 Illinois starting offensive lineman honored with a postseason all-conference selection. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

December 1, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy David Craan/Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- It was a two-word message on Twitter by the offensive line coach at the University of Illinois that summed up a major reason for the resurgence of the football program. 

“All Five!!!” Bart Miller tweeted on Nov. 30 with the hashtags of #OLP #Illini #famILLy #GetDeveloped. 

The regular season finale version of the film review showcases how sophomore walk-on quarterback Cole Freeman had no chance for success outside of the pocket. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

November 30, 2022

Ryan Walters had a very specific plan for the sophomore walk-on quarterback his Illinois defense was facing in the regular season finale. 

Makira Cook celebrates her 21st birthday by dropping 22 points against an overmatched Pittsburgh squad in a 21-point road victory for Illinois. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

November 30, 2022

Makira Cook celebrated her 21st birthday by delivering Illinois its first true road win of the 2022-23 season. 

By Brad Sturdy - IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst

November 30, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)

Coleman Hawkins posted a triple double, while the Illinois defense held Syracuse to 44 points in a 73-44 thrashing that saw no Orange players in double figures. RJ Melendez showed out with 15 points and Terrence Shannon had 17 as Illinois moved to 6-1 heading into a tough stretch of games beginning at Maryland on Friday. 

Here’s what we saw.

In a 73-44 win over Syracuse, Illinois head coach Brad Underwood is basking in the beauty of how his team figured out how to thrive in what might be considered by others as ugly basketball. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

November 30, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy Ron Johnson/USA Today Sports)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- In a 29-point blowout win in its ACC/Big Ten Challenge matchup, this Illinois squad accomplished something that their head coach has been talking about since he arrived in Champaign.

Brad Underwood, who is entering his sixth season leading the Illini program, constantly has spoken about his affection for finding the beauty in what a majority of basketball fans might see as ugly play. Specifically, Underwood is always looking for examples of when his basketball team finds ways to succeed on nights when jump shots aren’t falling. The 73-44 win over a struggling Syracuse team was the 2022-23 Illini’s ability to hang their version of a Jackson Pollack painting inside State Farm Center while their head coach applauded the grotesque.

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

November 30, 2022

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

Good luck following the transfer portal as it’s already out of control and the FBS window hasn’t even opened.

By IlliniGuys Staff November 29, 2022 (Cover photo courtesy […]