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Genesis Bryant’s basketball life was going practically nowhere at North Carolina State and Shauna Green’s revival of an Illini program started with the signing of the 5-foot-6 guard.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

February 28, 2025

NOTE: This is the third part of a four-part series on the four active Illini women’s basketball players who will be honored Sunday in their final home game inside State Farm Center.

CHAMPAIGN — You’ll have to excuse Genesis Bryant when she gets emotional talking about her experience at the University of Illinois and what this 2024-25 season run has meant to her.

When asked to explain or describe the emotions involved in an injury-plagued campaign that has included three wins over Top 25 opponents in the same season for the first time since 1999-2000 and a program record of eight Big Ten victories in a row, Bryant initially couldn’t find the words and started to cry.

Brynn Shoup-Hill will end play her last college basketball home game on Sunday for the coach she followed from Dayton to help rebuild the Illinois women’s program.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

NOTE: This is the second part of a four-part series on the four active Illini women’s basketball players who will be honored Sunday in their final home game inside State Farm Center.

CHAMPAIGN — Confidence has always been the x-factor in Brynn Shoup-Hill’s game.

In a 66-65 win at then-No. 14 Maryland, the Illinois senior forward hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 45 seconds left to guide the Illini to the program’s first ever win over the Terrapins. It's a shot Shoup-Hill has admitted she wouldn't have had the confidence to take in recent past and wasn’t able to take last season while she starred at her injured wrist.

Illinois head coach Shauna Green says she quickly learned she’ll likely not see an energy level out of a future player like she’s coached for three years with guard Adalia McKenzie

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

February 27, 2025

NOTE: This is the first part of a four-part series on the four active Illini women’s basketball players who will be honored Sunday in their final home game inside State Farm Center.

CHAMPAIGN — Even in the midst of a grind of a five-month season where energy conservation is a primary thought process, Adalia McKenzie might show up a few hours before practice to get on the exercise bike.

The idea of having too much energy and needing to get some access adrenaline out of her system before a two-hour practice session is not an uncommon for the fourth-year starter.

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

February 26, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)

The Illini took care of business on Tuesday night against the Iowa Hawkeyes, cruising to an 81-61 win to temporarily right the ship. The Illini got off to a hot start before an 11-0 Iowa run would get them back into it. But a gradual second half lead extension allowed Illinois to get the 20 point win.

Tomislav Ivisic had 22 points to lead Illinois, while Kylan Boswell and Will Riley added 15 apiece. The Illini move to 18-11 and 10-8 in league play and now get a brief respite before heading to Michigan on Sunday and hosting Purdue next Friday to close out the regular season.

These 3 Things

After showing defensive toughness and fight in a 0-2 weekend against two Top 5 opponents in Los Angeles, Illinois will experience six days of practice and recovery.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Shauna Green has been patiently waiting for this portion of her schedule to arrive: a full week of no games and just practice and recovery.

Following a 15-point loss at then-No. 3 UCLA and 10-point loss at then No. 4 Southern California in a late winter weekend in Los Angeles, Illinois (21-7, 11-6 in Big Ten Conference) now has a chance to relax before what will be an emotionally-charged regular season finale, an important Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis and what they believe will be an NCAA Tournament experience.

Illinois guard Kylan Boswell is trying to lead this team past a two-week defensive stretch that has been as problematic as the Illini program has had in quite some time.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

February 26, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)

CHAMPAIGN — In a 72-hour period, Kylan Boswell has been handed the defensive assignments of Duke star Cooper Flagg and Iowa sharpshooter Payton Sandfort. And neither him or Illinois head coach Brad Underwood would have it any other way.

“There’s nothing on that side of the ball that Kylan can’t do,” Underwood said. “His physical play allows him to do everything on that end but also he’s really smart. It doesn’t really matter the position where I’m good with him (guarding) 1 through 4 because of his strength and his quickness being able to guard just about anybody.”

By IlliniGuys Staff February 25, 2025 (Cover photo courtesy […]

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

February 25, 2025

Losers of 3 consecutive games, the Illini have entered must win territory as they host the Iowa Hawkeyes on Tuesday evening at the State Farm Center. The SFC has not been a difficult place for opponents to play this season, with the Illini already losing 4 home games. With an NCAA berth potentially on the line and a difficult upcoming schedule, the Illini need this one to feel safe heading into selection Sunday in 2 weeks.

Here’s a breakdown:

Setting the Stage

Hail To The Orange Out
Illinois (17-11, 9-8 B1G) vs. Iowa (15-12, 6-10 B1G)
Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025 // 8 p.m. CT // Champaign, Ill. // State Farm Center
TV: FS1 – Brandon Gaudin (Play-by-Play) & Robbie Hummel (Analyst)
Radio: Busey Bank Illini Sports Network – Brian Barnhart (Play-By-Play) & Deon Thomas

Illinois head coach Brad Underwood said Monday he feels an increased practice time and a more healthy version of center Tomislav Ivisic is the formula to his squad’s recent defensive issues.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Brad Underwood’s conclusion after watching the 110-67 loss to Duke on Saturday night and then re-rewatching the game film really shouldn’t surprise anybody.

“I think we’ve lost some bite on the defensive end of the floor. I don’t think there’s any doubt about that,” Underwood said to local media before his team’s Monday afternoon practice on the State Farm Center court.

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

February 24, 2025

The lllini appear broken right now, there’s really no other way to describe it. Since taking the lead by 16 over Michigan State they have been outscored by 94 points in about 110 minutes of game play.

Mike Cagley, Co-Host Sports Spectacular Feb 24, 2025 This […]

By Larry Smith - Co-Host & Executive Producer, IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular

February 23, 2025

(Editor's Note: Larry spent more than two decades as an anchor/correspondent for CNN Sports, Turner Sports, and NBA TV. He's a veteran of nearly 70 major championships worldwide and is the studio host of the WNBA on Ion Friday night show, which resumes on May 16th.)

--First off, great to see the IlliniGuys members who came out to have a beverage or two. Lots of nuggets to be had at the table and just good to say hello to some of you and put a face to a name (and even meet your kids).

--MSG is as advertised. Most people I've talked to have found it amazing that, of all the events I've covered worldwide, I had never been there. It's a very different experience from the time you walk in the door. Recent upgrades make it much more modern than I anticipated and the seating layout is outstanding. Illinois should try to play there as much as often (Underwood says this is a goal) and all fans should make an effort to get there at least once.

By IlliniGuys Staff  February 23, 2025 (Cover photo courtesy […]

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

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

February 22, 2025

All season long this looked like a marquee game between two elite programs and team, but while the Blue Devils continue to dominate the ACC, the Illini are reeling due to injuries, illness and youth and don’t look like the same team they were just 6 weeks ago.

For now though the Illini appear to finally be (mostly) through the flu bug and mono issues and hope to have a lineup ready to compete on Saturday night from Madison Square Garden. Having won the past 2 seasons against high level competition (#2 Texas and Final Four FAU) they hope the magic can happen once again. If you throw in the Tevian Jones game which led to a shocking upset of Maryland, the Garden has been kind to the Illini recently.

Here’s a look at the matchup.

Setting the Stage

SentinelOne Classic
Illinois (17-10, 9-8 B1G) vs. #3 Duke (23-3, 15-1 ACC)
Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025 // 7 p.m. CT (8 p.m. ET) // New York, N.Y. // Madison Square Garden TV: FOX – Gus Johnson (Play-by-Play), Jim Jackson (Analyst), & Allison Williams (Sideline) Radio: Busey Bank Illini Sports Network – Brian Barnhart (Play-By-Play) & Deon Thomas