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By IlliniGuys Staff December 22, 2025 (Cover photo courtesy […]

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

December 22, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

Illinois and Missouri fans will descend on St Louis on Monday as the Illini and the Tigers are back at it in the McBride Homes Braggin’ Rights game. A game that probably doesn't get enough notoriety nationally for the intense rivalry between the two fan bases that surround St Louis, this will be another epic battle between two teams that can really score the ball.

Missouri enters with a record of 10-2 although they have played a very soft schedule outside of Kansas, a game they lost 80 to 60. Illinois has played a gauntlet of a schedule including five top 25 opponents and sits at 2-3 against that group. This begins the gauntlet for Missouri as they will play Florida and Kentucky after this.

This is a much-needed game for both squads. Let's take a look at the particulars

Setting the Stage
McBride Homes Braggin' Rights
#18 Illinois (8-3) vs. Missouri (10-2)
Monday, Dec. 22, 2025 // 7 p.m. CT // St. Louis, Mo. // Enterprise Center
TV: FS1 – Brandon Gaudin (Play-by-Play) & Casey Jacobsen (Analyst)
Radio: Busey Bank Illini Sports Network – Brian Barnhart (Play-By-Play) & Deon Thomas

Notable
*The 45th edition of the McBride Homes Braggin’ Rights game between Illinois and Missouri is set for Monday night at Enterprise Center in St. Louis (7 p.m. CT / FS1). The Illini are looking to win three consecutive Braggin’ Rights games for the first time since a stretch of five straight wins over Mizzou from 2013-17. Illinois leads the all time series 28-16.

* The Fighting Illini offense features five players averaging double figures in scoring – Kylan Boswell (16.1 ppg), Andrej Stojakovic (15.5), Keaton Wagler (15.1), David Mirkovic (13.6), and Tomislav Ivisic (10.0) – tied for the second-most in the nation.

*After leading the Big Ten in scoring last season (83.6 ppg), Illinois is currently averaging 87.8 points. At this early pace, the Illini would become the third team in program history to average 87+ points per game.

Mike Cagley, Co-Host Sports Spectacular December 22, 2025 It’s […]

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

December 21, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois freshman guard Keaton Wagler is doing more than adjusting to the college game. He is putting the country on notice.

The 6-foot-6 guard from Shawnee Mission Northwest has quickly become a key piece for the nation’s No. 18-ranked Fighting Illini, showcasing poise, confidence, and consistency well beyond his age as a freshman. As Big Ten play approaches, Wagler’s rise has not gone unnoticed beyond Champaign.

By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst

December 20, 2025

I've used the college schedule break to check in on the commitments after their senior years. This is the second of my two-piece article with the first one being on the offensive commits and this one on the defense.

Illinois women’s basketball held Jackson State to just 10 […]

Illinois vs. Jackson State Friday, Dec. 19, 2025 - […]

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Sr. Recruiting Analyst

December 18, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Kedric Prince/IlliniGuys)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — One of the headline prospects in Illinois football’s 2026 recruiting class is quarterback Michael Clayton II, who committed to the Illini in November 2024 and never looked back.

Several IlliniGuys writers and analysts were asked to identify players who could rise to the top in this class, and the conversation consistently returned to Clayton, the 6-foot-4, 200-pound signal caller from Edison High School in Miami, Florida.

We caught up with Clayton for a one-on-one Q&A to discuss signing day, his next steps, and even the unique celebrity of his high school coach, Luther Campbell, the former rapper known as Luke Skyywalker from 2 Live Crew.

Kedric: How does it feel to finally be signed and knowing what's ahead of you?

Michael: I’ve known I wanted

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Sr. Recruiting Analyst

December 18, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy player's X page)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois has extended an offer to shooting guard Mason Martin, giving the Naperville Neuqua Valley standout his first Power 4. The 6-foot-5 guard has emerged as one of the top scorers in the state so far this season, and his early production has quickly placed him on the radar of college coaches.

Illinois head coach Brad Underwood has long valued length and proven scoring ability on the perimeter, and Martin fits that profile. With the high school season just underway, Martin has already delivered eye-catching performances, including scoring 27 points in one game and 41 points against West Aurora. In that 41-point outing, he knocked down 11 three-point field goals, which is certain to draw more attention moving forward.

Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer is the third ever recipient […]

By Kedric Prince -IlliniGuys Sr. Recruiting Analyst

December 18, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Krka/Drago Perko/kosarka.si)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — At IlliniGuys, the focus never drifts far from the recruiting trail, especially as Illinois continues to expand its reach beyond domestic borders. One name Illini fans should keep a close watch on is Zak Smrekar, a rising wing prospect from Slovenia who is getting a lot of attention.

Smrekar is a 6-foot-7, 195-pound wing who is expected to play college basketball next season. Illinois has consistently shown interest in European prospects who can shoot, read the floor, and make plays within a structured offense. Smrekar checks those boxes. He is a capable shooter and a natural scoring wing, particularly effective in catch-and-shoot situations where his quick release stands out.

By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst December 17, […]

Mike Cagley, Co-Host Sports Spectacular December 16, 2025 The […]

December 15, 2025 Ked Prince, IlliniGuys Sr. Recruiting Analyst […]

Despite having one of the youngest power conference rosters, Illinois’ defensive numbers through 11 games of the 2025-26 season are better than previous seasons.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

December 15, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Any basketball coach will likely youth doesn’t usually equate to instant success, yet Shauna Green’s Illinois team is doing everything they can to reverse that trend.

The Illini’s 81-69 win over North Texas represented the 11th straight game that Illinois has held an opponent under 70 points in a game and the current streak is 13 in a row that includes the two 2025 NCAA Tournament games from last March.

Knowing her emphasis on the defensive end of the floor and her reputation for taking defense seriously going back to her head coaching start nearly a decade ago at Dayton, Green doesn’t want to be surprised as her 2025-26 Illini squad has been about consistent defensive stops. However, given she’s in charge of by far her youngest team, with an average age of 19.83 years as of the start of the 2025-26 campaign and