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Ked's Recruiting Roundup: Illini Appear to Be in Good Shape with Florida Wide Receiver

Ked's Recruiting Roundup: Illini Appear to Be in Good Shape with Florida Wide Receiver

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

January 23, 2025

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — All indications suggest that the Fighting Illini football program is trending upward in its pursuit of Kenyon Alston, a 6-foot-2, 172-pound wide receiver from Orlando, Florida.

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Sturm: My Thoughts on The CFP

Sturm: My Thoughts on The CFP

By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst

January 22, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Associated Press)

First, I have to come clean for those of you who may remember our discussion last year: I was against the 12 team CFP. I thought the BCS was a sufficient way to crown a national champion and that:

1. There was too much risk of injury to star players

2. It would devalue the rest of the bowls too much, and

3. The current system was a fair enough way to crown a champion given that we had a good final four last year and usually did so. I remember typing the words "There is rarely a fifth team that has a genuine case at inclusion in the BCS, and there is basically never a sixth, seventh or eighth team that has a case."

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Bielema Believed Illini Set in 2025 & Rejected Transfer Portal Running Backs

Bielema Believed Illini Set in 2025 & Rejected Transfer Portal Running Backs

The tailback room will likely be the position group with the most experienced depth on the Illinois offense when they open up preseason camp in August.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

January 22, 2025

(NOTE: This analysis is only a review of where the Illinois roster stands in mid-January and should not be served as a preview of what the Illini’s positional depth will look like by the time preseason practice opens in early August.)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — When asked about his priorities a week before Christmas for the transfer portal as he was gathering players for the 2025 season while also preparing for the upcoming Citrus Bowl, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema detailed exactly what wasn’t on his list.

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Heat Checks & Hail Marys - Illini Hoops Loss, Ryan Day Strikes Back, Illini Football Finishes #16 & NIL Evened the Battlefield

Heat Checks & Hail Marys - Illini Hoops Loss, Ryan Day Strikes Back, Illini Football Finishes #16 & NIL Evened the Battlefield

Mike Cagley, Co-Host Sports Spectacular and Big Sports Radio […]

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Ked's Recruiting Roundup: Sunday's Football List of 2026 Prospects to Date

Ked's Recruiting Roundup: Sunday's Football List of 2026 Prospects to Date

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

January 21, 2025

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — College football officially concluded Monday night, with the Big Ten claiming back-to-back national titles—Michigan in 2024 and Ohio State in 2025.

Recruiting, however, never rests. The Illinois Fighting Illini appear to be taking full advantage of the recruiting period following their Citrus Bowl victory over South Carolina, 21-17.

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Around The Big Ten - Jan. 21st

Around The Big Ten - Jan. 21st

January 21, 2025 (Cover photo courtesy Imagn Images)   […]

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Will Riley & Morez Johnson Lead Illini Bench Effort in MSU’s Breslin Center

Will Riley & Morez Johnson Lead Illini Bench Effort in MSU’s Breslin Center

Illinois delivered 40 of its 78 points from the four members of the bench on Sunday as the Illini used a close loss to reveal its critically important depth.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 20, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Logic would suggest that Morez Johnson knew his role was likely to grow in the next few games once Tomislav Ivisic was diagnosed with strep throat.

Of course, to use that logic, you have to presume Johnson, the backup at Illinois behind the 21-year-old Croatian big, knew what his teammate was trying to play through on Sunday. Because Johnson didn’t.

“I didn’t actually know that Tommi was sick,” Johnson said.

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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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