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Sturdy's Review - Life on the Road in the B1G

Sturdy's Review - Life on the Road in the B1G

Brad Sturdy, Illini Insider & Co-Host of the IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular & Big Sports Radio

January 20, 2025

Sometimes it just isn't your day. The Illini went into East Lansing on Sunday and found out that to win on the road you need to be more than just a little bit better than your opponent.

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Turnovers Doom Illini Women in 86-68 Loss to 22nd Ranked Michigan State

Turnovers Doom Illini Women in 86-68 Loss to 22nd Ranked Michigan State

By IlliniGuys Staff January 19, 2025 (Cover photo courtesy […]

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KJ Becomes KO’d: Foul Trouble in Illini’s Future Lottery Pick Leads to Deflating Loss

KJ Becomes KO’d: Foul Trouble in Illini’s Future Lottery Pick Leads to Deflating Loss

Illinois guard Kasparas Jakucionis couldn’t avoid defensive fouls in a 8-minute effort for the Lithuanian star guard in the Illini’s 80-78 loss in East Lansing. 

Matthew Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 19, 2025

EAST LANSING, Mich. — A reporter began his question to Illinois head coach Brad Underwood with the fact that this team has already played two games without Kasparas Jakucionis but Underwood choose to interrupt. 

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#19 Illini Can't Overcome Foul Trouble in 80-78 Loss at #12 Spartans

#19 Illini Can't Overcome Foul Trouble in 80-78 Loss at #12 Spartans

By IlliniGuys Staff January 19, 2025 (Cover photo courtesy […]

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Game Preview: Illini Women Host #22 Michigan State

Game Preview: Illini Women Host #22 Michigan State

Illinois vs. #22/22 Michigan State Date | TimeLocationTicketsPromotionsDigital Game ProgramsWatchRadio Live […]

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Sturdy's Game Preview: Heavyweight Battle in East Lansing

Sturdy's Game Preview: Heavyweight Battle in East Lansing

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

January 19, 2025

The Illini are in East Lansing on Sunday morning ready to battle the Michigan State Spartans, who sit alone atop the Big Ten with a 6-0 mark and are looking to open up some space between them and the Illini. After the Illini lost to USC a week ago, they bounced back with a big win at Indiana, but they need this one to stay in the Big Ten title hunt.
Here’s a look at this top 20 matchup.

Setting the Stage

#19/20 Illinois (13-4, 5-2) at #12/12 Michigan State (15-2, 6-0)
Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025 // 11 a.m. CT (12 p.m. ET) // East Lansing, Mich. // Breslin Center
TV: CBS – Spero Dedes (Play-by-Play) & Clark Kellogg (Analyst)
Radio: Busey Bank Illini Sports Network – Brian Barnhart (Play-By-Play) & Doug Altenberger

Meet the Spartans

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Football Recruiting Spotlight on Landen Von Seggern

Football Recruiting Spotlight on Landen Von Seggern

By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst January 18, […]

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‘I’m just tired of the disrespect’: Illini QB Luke Altmyer Ready to Be A Northern College Football Field Carrier

‘I’m just tired of the disrespect’: Illini QB Luke Altmyer Ready to Be A Northern College Football Field Carrier

Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer, a Starkville, Miss., is happy […]

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Illini Wrestlers Fall to Iowa in Top 10 Showdown

Illini Wrestlers Fall to Iowa in Top 10 Showdown

(From Illinois Sports Information Office) January 17, 2025 IOWA […]

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Recruiting Spotlight on Davon Grant

Recruiting Spotlight on Davon Grant

By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst

January 17, 2025

While the Illini were finishing up round one of portal season, they were also adding to the incoming Class of 2026 with DeKalb wide receiver Davon Grant.  Grant was extremely productive for the DeKalb Barbs with 67 receptions for 1014 yards in his junior year.  Grant was equally productive as a sophomore with 40 receptions on offense but an addition 4 interceptions as a free safety on defense.  What makes him even more impressive is the fact that DeKalb has had very little success in his two years on the varsity with a combined 4 wins over the two years.  Despite that, Grant had offers from the other three nearby Big Ten schools in addition to Illinois: Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota.  However, Illinois made Grant a priority and sealed the deal with Grant on the strength of the program's first 10-win season in a generation.  Check out what makes him special:

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Recruiting Spotlight on Ayden Knapik

Recruiting Spotlight on Ayden Knapik

By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst

January 17, 2025

I have to admit this addition really surprised me.  Like most Illini football scribes, I could see that Illinois was going to need an experienced wideout who could get open reliably (Hudson Clement).  They were going to need at least two experienced defensive linemen, and they added three (James Thompson, Curt Neal and Tomiwa Durojaiye).  They needed to bring in some competition at punter (Keelan Crimmins).  An experienced edge rusher and a tight end with more than one year of eligibility were also on my secondary list, and Leon Lowery and Davin Stoffel agreed to come to Champaign to fill those minor holes. 

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Illini Snap 13-Year Skid At Indiana With 68-54 Victory

Illini Snap 13-Year Skid At Indiana With 68-54 Victory

By IlliniGuys Staff January 16, 2025 (Cover photo courtesy […]

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Game Preview: Illini at Indiana

Game Preview: Illini at Indiana

(From Illinois Sports Information Office) Illinois at RV/-- Indiana Date […]

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False Morez Johnson Jr. Rumor Put to Rest

False Morez Johnson Jr. Rumor Put to Rest

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

January 16, 2025

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — A rumor regarding Illinois freshman basketball player Morez Johnson Jr. sparked concern but has been confirmed as false.

The IlliniGuys staff received reports claiming that Johnson had become ill and passed out during a workout. However, after making several calls to investigate, it was discovered the claims were unfounded.

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Sturdy's Rewind: Hoosier Daddy

Sturdy's Rewind: Hoosier Daddy

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

January 15, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

Coming off of a tough loss, you go on the road at Indiana, and tough place to play. Star player out and Illini nation was ready for a long losing streak and instead of looking at seed we even had those wondering if Illinois would make the tourney. Hold your horses with the gloom and doom. KJ is back. Illinois dominated Indiana by 25. And the march to San Antonio is back on.

The Illini scored at will in the first half and dominated the glass as they built a 30 point first half lead and cruised to a dominant 94-69 win in a game that wasn’t that close.

These 3 Things

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