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Illini Bringing Back Thad Ward as Running Backs Coach

Illini Bringing Back Thad Ward as Running Backs Coach

According to ESPN.com’s college football senior writer Pete Thamel, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema has an agreement to bring Thad Ward back for his second stint as RB coach in Champaign.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 30, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Bret Bielema has reportedly filled out his 2023 on-field coaching positions with a former assistant on Lovie Smith’s Illinois staff. 

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Adalia McKenzie Responds to One-On-One Tutoring From Illini Head Coach With Double-Double

Adalia McKenzie Responds to One-On-One Tutoring From Illini Head Coach With Double-Double

Illinois sophomore wing Adalia McKenzie responded from one of her career worst performances earlier in the week to one of her best this season in a 10-point home win. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 30, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Sometimes when you have to fix something, you have to do it yourself.

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The Farrell Files - 4-Star O-Lineman in Iowa is Listening to the Illini

The Farrell Files - 4-Star O-Lineman in Iowa is Listening to the Illini

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

January 30, 2023

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

In this Farrell Files Illinois, I look at a key 2024 target and some important NIL information.

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Strong Shooting Performance Lifts #22 Illini Over Spartans, 86-76

Strong Shooting Performance Lifts #22 Illini Over Spartans, 86-76

By IlliniGuys Staff January 29, 2023 CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - […]

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Underwood’s Desire to Build a ‘Win Ugly’ Culture at Illinois Counters Previous Kohl Center Magic

Underwood’s Desire to Build a ‘Win Ugly’ Culture at Illinois Counters Previous Kohl Center Magic

The sixth win in the last seven games for Illinois is slowly building head coach Brad Underwood’s brand of winning with defense, toughness and rebounding.  

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 29, 2023

MADISON, Wis. -- What occurred in the Kohl Center is the definition of what Illinois head coach Brad Underwood talks about from the point of the first preseason practice when the topic of toughness is brought up. 

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Sturdy's Takeaways - Illini Roll Over Badgers

Sturdy's Takeaways - Illini Roll Over Badgers

Brad Sturdy, Co-Host IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular

January 29, 2023

The first half wasn’t pretty, but in the 2nd half the Illini put up 41 points beyond a stellar 26-point effort from Matthew Mayer to cruise to a 61-51 win over the struggling Wisconsin Badgers.

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Mayer's Career-High 26 Points Lifts Illini To Season Sweep of Badgers

Mayer's Career-High 26 Points Lifts Illini To Season Sweep of Badgers

By IlliniGuys Staff

January 28, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

MADISON, Wisc. - With leading scorer Terrence Shannon Jr. handcuffed by foul trouble, Matthew Mayer delivered a career-high 26 points as Illinois defeated Wisconsin for the sixth consecutive game, 61-51 Saturday afternoon.

Illinois (15-6, 6-4) has now won six of its last seven games to put that 0-3 start in the Big Ten behind them and climb into a 4th place tie in the conference.

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Longtime NFL Assistant Coach Charlie Bullen Hired as Illini’s Outside Linebacker Coach

Longtime NFL Assistant Coach Charlie Bullen Hired as Illini’s Outside Linebacker Coach

Bullen brings 11 years of experience in the National Football League and the Palantine, Ill. native started his coaching career as a student assistant under Kirk Ferentz at Iowa. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 28, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Bret Bielema said he was looking at experienced people in the three-letter league, NFL, for his assistant coaching vacancies

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Illinois Offers Florida WR Speedster Lawayne McCoy

Illinois Offers Florida WR Speedster Lawayne McCoy

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

January 28, 2023

Illinois football is building something special here

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The Farrell Files - Big Ten Decommit Adds Name to Illini Mix

The Farrell Files - Big Ten Decommit Adds Name to Illini Mix

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

January 27, 2023

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

In the Farrell Files Illinois, I look at an interesting new name to watch and break down the linebackers in the 2023 class.

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‘This is part of the process’: Shauna Green’s Illini Facing Reality Check in Late January

‘This is part of the process’: Shauna Green’s Illini Facing Reality Check in Late January

After a storybook start to the 2022-23 season, Illinois has lost three of its last five games and is searching for the mentality that got them to national ranking in an unforgiving Big Ten Conference. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 27, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Without wanting to admit it out loud, Shauna Green knew the reality check portion of her first season as head coach at Illinois was coming.

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Football Recruiting Spotlight on John Paddock

Football Recruiting Spotlight on John Paddock

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

January 27, 2023

While it makes all kinds of sense, I don't think many Illinois observers expected the addition of quarterback John Paddock to the 2023 roster. 

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Illini’s Perplexingly Cold Perimeter Shooting Results in 62-52 Home Loss to Boilermakers 

Illini’s Perplexingly Cold Perimeter Shooting Results in 62-52 Home Loss to Boilermakers 

Illinois misses 22 of 26 from three-point range leading […]

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“A wild time and a wild transition”: How Luke Altmyer Took a Unique But Important Transfer Portal Path To Illinois

“A wild time and a wild transition”: How Luke Altmyer Took a Unique But Important Transfer Portal Path To Illinois

Whether he likes it or not, Luke Altmyer’s month of December […]

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Wisconsin Prep Jace Gilbert Honored to Receive Illinois Offer

Wisconsin Prep Jace Gilbert Honored to Receive Illinois Offer

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

January 25, 2023

The Fighting Illini football program appears to finally look like a Division I team.

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