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Illinois head coach Brad Underwood didn’t hide what it’ll take for Illini to survive a three to four week stretch without Kylan Boswell - more Andrej Stojakovic.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 22, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Pickrell/IlliniGuys)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Through one night at least, the answer to the new equation for this Illinois team that now includes the loss of Kylan Boswell was simple math - the addition of Andrej Stojakovic.

Yes, the 6-foot-7 transfer guard from Stanford and California had more offensive freedom with the basketball in his hands early and often that led to a team-high and Illini-high of 30 points and a comfortable 89-70 victory over Maryland. However, scoring in waves is what Stojakovic was known for before arriving in Champaign-Urbana. The point guard action and defensive mentality was certainly not but Illinois head coach Brad Underwood said months ago he felt these elements is how Stojakovic could take the next step of his development.

“He stepped up to that challenge,” Underwood said Wednesday night. “It’s just amazing how often that when you worry about defense that offense will find you.”

By Zeno Jo - Illini Guys Staff Writer

January 22, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy player's X page)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Earlier this week, Illinois picked up a commitment from Jacksonville State defensive lineman Darrell Prater, who has one year of eligibility remaining. On Wednesday, Prater hopped on a phone call with IlliniGuys’ Zeno Jo to chat about his recruitment process, what he’s looking to get done in Champaign, and why Illinois was his pick.

Prater, who was part of the 2022 recruiting class, walked on to Jacksonville State his freshman season and worked his way towards a scholarship by his sophomore season. He says his experience and versatility are his biggest strengths on the field, and at 6-foot-3 and 300 pounds, “I just love the culture that they showed me,” he said. “There’s such a family bond on the staff and surrounding fans. It’s such a great place to be at.”

By IlliniGuys Staff January 21, 2026 (Cover photo courtesy […]

Illinois defensive back Xavier Scott discussed Wednesday his role as a defensive leader for the upcoming 2026 season

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

January 21, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — If you’re ever wondering who might have first leaked out that Xavier Scott was returning to Illinois for the 2026 season, look no further than the woman who Scott pays rent to every month for his apartment.

Illinois defensive coordinator Aaron Henry was planning to put a pair of new signees into Xavier Scott’s off-campus apartment that he shared this past season with starting safety Miles Scott and Henry was told by the landlord of that priority that may not be the best idea. Before ever talking to Scott himself, Henry was informed by the landlord that she was informed by Xavier Scott that he’d still need the apartment for the next several months.

“I actually got some insight that my landlady let Coach Henry know what I was doing,” Scott said while smiling. “She didn’t mean to tell (Henry) but I was just telling her to hold off giving the apartment away. That kind of shook Coach Henry a little bit and he kind of found out what was going on.”

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Sr. Recruiting Analyst

January 21, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois women’s basketball coach Shauna Green didn’t wait long to make history in her fourth year in Champaign.

Green landed the program’s first McDonald’s All-American since Chatrice White in 2014, securing a commitment from Pickerington, Ohio, native Berry Wallace, and early returns suggest the hype was warranted.

After making the move from Dayton to Illinois, Green kept close tabs on Wallace during her recruitment, selling her on a vision: be different, come to Illinois, and help lead the next era of the program. Wallace has done exactly that, emerging as one of the most productive players in the Big Ten and a cornerstone of Illinois’ strong start this season.

Wallace is now #4 in the Big Ten in scoring at 19.6 points per game while shooting 88% from the free-throw line. She has helped Illinois build a 15-4 overall record and a 5-3 mark in conference play, putting the Illini in position to contend weekly in one of the nation’s toughest leagues.

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

January 21, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)

The Illini are back in action Wednesday evening against the Maryland Terrapins, and will once again be short-handed as senior guard Kylan Boswell will miss multiple games with a fractured hand. No one player will be able to replace Boswell, but the Illini are hoping that improved play from Andrej Stojakovic and guards Mihailo Petrovic and Brandon Lee can help the Illini navigate a difficult stretch that is coming up.

But first they have to beat a Maryland team that has been their nemesis. Brad Underwood is just 3-9 against the Terps. Here’s a look at the particulars.

Setting the Stage
#11 Illinois (15-3, 6-1 B1G) vs. Maryland (8-10, 1-6 B1G)
Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026 // 6 p.m. CT // Champaign, Ill. // State Farm Center
TV: BTN – Chris Vosters (Play-by-Play) & Jordan Taylor (Analyst)
Radio: Busey Bank Illini Sports Network – Brian Barnhart (Play-By-Play) & Deon Thomas

Notable
*No. 11 Illinois, riding a season-best seven-game win streak, hosts Maryland Wednesday night at State Farm Center. Illinois is in search of its first eight-game win streak since Brad Underwood's fourth season, when the Illini also won eight straight from Feb. 25-March 19, 2021. That streak – the program's longest of the Underwood era – began with four straight Big Ten wins to close the regular season (last three on the road) and continued with the 2021 Big Ten Tournament title and an NCAA Tournament first-round victory.

*At 15-3 overall, Illinois is off to its best start since 2011-12. A win over Maryland would give the Illini its best 19-game record since also starting 16-3 during the 2008-09 season. Illinois is 6-1 in Big Ten play, looking to improve to 7-1 for the first time in the Brad Underwood era. A win over Maryland would mark the Illini's best start to Big Ten play since the 2004-05 squad won its first 15 league games as part of 29-straight wins to open the season. The 2005 Illini swept the Big Ten regular season and Tournament titles and advanced to the Final Four, finishing as the NCAA runner-up with a 37-2 overall record.

Darrell Prater, a former four-year contributor from Jacksonville State, has elected to move up to a power conference program to compete for a starting role on Illinois’ defensive front in 2026.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

January 20, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy player's X page)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The football coaching staff at the University of Illinois has again elected to dip into the talent pool of the Group of Six conferences for defensive line depth assistance.

Darrell Prater, a four-year defensive tackle at Jacksonville State, has signed an agreement to play his final year of collegiate eligibility at Illinois. Prater, a 6-foot-3 and 300-pound defensive lineman, is part of a massive reconstruction by Illini assistant coach Terrance Jamison and his boss, fifth-year head coach Bret Bielema, of the Illinois defensive front for the upcoming 2026 season.

Prater spent the 2025 season as a rotational defensive tackle piece in a 3-4 defensive scheme led by first-year head coach Charles Kelly, who served as a defensive coordinator at Florida State, Alabama, Colorado and Auburn before getting his first head coaching assignment at 57 years old.

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

January 20, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)

With 3:12 remaining in the first half on Saturday morning, the Illini trailed Minnesota 32-26. The vaunted Illini offense had been stagnant, showing no signs of life, missing open shots and were heading towards another morning game debacle at home.

Brad Underwood then inserted little used, and previously much hyped, point guard Mihailo Petrovic to provide a spark, and he did not disappoint. In that final 3:12 he would score 4 points, set up Zvonimir Ivisic for 4 more, and lead Illinois on an 8-2 run to end the half in a 34 all tie. He even showed off his quickness on the defensive end, pressuring the ball and denying entry passes to the wing, fighting through screens.

"My hat's off to Mihailo [Petrovic]. We don't win the game without him. He changed the whole outlook of the game at the end of the first half.”

By Brad Sturdy - IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst & Co-Host, IlliniGuys […]

Mike Cagley, Co-Host Sports Spectacular January 20, 2025 The […]

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Sr. Recruiting Analyst

January 19, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Troy Stolt/Naperville Sun)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois men’s basketball received a commitment from one of the top-scoring guards in high school basketball late Friday evening, as Neuqua Valley standout Mason Martin pledged to the Illini and will keep one of the best shooting guards in the state at home.

Martin, a 6-foot-5, 180-pound shooting guard, became the second commitment for head coach Brad Underwood in the 2027 recruiting class. Peoria native Quinton Kitt pledged to Illinois on Thanksgiving.

We caught up with Martin to discuss what went into his decision to commit early in the process and why he chose Illinois.

Illinois plans on going with a double point guard look as long as Gretchen Dolan’s knee injury continues to be an issue in this 2025-26 season.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 19, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The second consecutive game without Illinois’ second-leading scorer allowed Shauna Green to turn to a double point guard lineup she’s been familiar with in his Illini tenure.

With Gretchen Dolan’s knee injury continuing to be a problem forcing the third-year guard to be in a sweatsuit Sunday, Illinois went with a third starting lineup in this 2025-26 season with Aaliyah Guyton making her first start for the Illini since arriving this offseason. The Peoria, Ill., native and star transfer from Iowa had been progressing through an injury-plagued start to the season as Destiny Jackson’s backup but in a home game against an under .500 Northwestern squad, Green elected to play together the back-to-back No. 1 overall players in the state of the Illinois out of high school.

Guyton responded to this role change with 13 points, three assists and three rebounds and was a plus-6 in 30 minutes of action.

By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst

January 19, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Briana Pace/The Indiana Daily Student)

Welcome to part 1 of 3 of the Cignetti Recipe. College Football's wunderkind has been so popular in the media that I've seen dozens of theories about what has allowed his instant success at a moribund program, so I decided to take a deep dive myself. In the first part, I'm going to look at Cignetti himself and his Indiana coaching staff.

First, Prepare yourselves for a wave of coincidences. This story starts not with Curt Cignetti, but with his father Frank Cignetti, Sr. Frank earned a spot in the College Football Hall of Fame after putting together 20 years of excellence at Division II Indiana University of Pennsylvania, just outside of Pittsburgh. Frank Cignetti took over the IUP program after failing as the head coach of West Virginia. He had been Bobby Bowden's top assistant at West Virginia and took over the program after Bowden left for Florida State.

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

January 18, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)

The Illini found a way to grind out a win over a tough Minnesota Gophers squad on Saturday behind a big effort from Zvonimir Ivisic, who had 18 points and 9 rebounds off the bench. Keaton Wagler had 17 points and 5 assists, while David Mirkovic (12 points) and Tomislav Ivisic (10 points) scored all 22 of their points after the break to lead Illinois to a 77-67 win and move them solidly into the top tier of the Big Ten at 6-1 and 15-3 overall.

It wasn’t easy though. Minnesota led by as many as 6 points late in the first half before largely unused guard Mihailo Petrovic gave Illinois a spark that would let Illinois tie it at 38 at the half. From there, Illinois would lead by as many as 12 points and cruise to the win down the stretch.

Here’s a quick look back.

These 3 Things

Bench Win -

By IlliniGuys Staff January 18, 2026 (Cover photo courtesy […]