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Bielema Tested Positive For COVID-19 Monday Evening; Illini Head Coach Currently in Isolation

Bielema Tested Positive For COVID-19 Monday Evening; Illini Head Coach Currently in Isolation

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema confirmed Tuesday evening he is currently in isolation as he begins the medical protocols after testing positive for coronavirus. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

November 16, 2021

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Bret Bielema confirmed Tuesday evening he is currently in isolation as he begins the medical protocols after testing positive for coronavirus. 

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Mike Cagley's Heat Checks and Hail Marys - Marquette Upset Edition

Mike Cagley's Heat Checks and Hail Marys - Marquette Upset Edition

Mike Cagley, IlliniGuy November 16, 2021 The Illini game […]

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Kofi Cockburn's Absence Looms Large In Illini Loss at Marquette

Kofi Cockburn's Absence Looms Large In Illini Loss at Marquette

Illinois head coach Brad Underwood points out the absence […]

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BREAKING NEWS: Illini Head Coach Bret Bielema Tests Positive For COVID-19; Will Not Travel With Illini to Iowa This Weekend

BREAKING NEWS: Illini Head Coach Bret Bielema Tests Positive For COVID-19; Will Not Travel With Illini to Iowa This Weekend

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema has tested positive for […]

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Illini's Curbelo Struggles in Crushing Loss at Marquette

Illini's Curbelo Struggles in Crushing Loss at Marquette

Illinois sophomore point guard Andre Curbelo played like anything but the All-Big Ten talent he was hyped to be in the preseason during a 67-66 loss at Marquette Monday night. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

November 16, 2021

MILWAUKEE -- In order to close out its first road test of the 2021-22 season, Illinois turned to its celebrated sophomore point guard and Andre Curbelo simply couldn’t deliver. 

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Sturdy's Takeaway - 8 Minutes of Futility

Sturdy's Takeaway - 8 Minutes of Futility

With 8:28 to play, the Illini had an 8-point lead and looked in control on the road at Marquette. Fans watched the collapse live or on TV and were shocked as the Illini fell to Marquette 67-66. Some said Illinois didn't run any offense down the stretch. They did, but didn't execute. Some felt Illinois didn't let Trent Frazier run the point. They did, that didn't work either. Here's a breakdown of each possession in the final 8:28, where the Illini offense had 1 free throw and no field goals in the final 5:36.

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10th ranked Illini give victory to Marquette, 67-66

10th ranked Illini give victory to Marquette, 67-66

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Illini Basketball Preview - Illini at Marquette

Illini Basketball Preview - Illini at Marquette

Connor Cagley, IlliniGuys Basketball Writer November 15, 2021 In […]

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Illinois Agrees to Multi-Year Extension With Defensive Coordinator Ryan Walters

Illinois Agrees to Multi-Year Extension With Defensive Coordinator Ryan Walters

Illinois announced a new three-year contract extension for defensive […]

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Basketball preview:  Who is Marquette?

Basketball preview: Who is Marquette?

A lot has changed with the Marquette program since the last time Illinois faced them in 1993.
For one, their nickname.  Gone is the “Warriors” moniker, put away in the antiquities closet somewhere on the Milwaukee campus just months after Illinois suffered a loss on their last visit.  Illinois holds a 9-5 edge in the all-time series that has never before seen the two teams meet before Thanksgiving.

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Recruiting: Illini Commit T.J. Griffin Talks To IlliniGuys

Recruiting: Illini Commit T.J. Griffin Talks To IlliniGuys

Each year in college football, there is a great story where some team will have a hidden gem, which means the coaching staff defied the star system and saw talent.

That is the case with the most recent Illinois commit T.J. Griffin.  The 6-foot-2, 190-pound defensive back was recently offered by Illinois and he proudly accepted it and is ready to let people know who he is.

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Bosmans-Verdonk Earning Rotational Role in Illini Lineup 

Bosmans-Verdonk Earning Rotational Role in Illini Lineup 

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- The rotation piece role that Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk has carved out for the rest of this 2021-22 season is a product of two things being true.

Yes. Illinois has been playing without consensus first-team All-America center Kofi Cockburn and this forced Illini coaches to turn to Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk for more minutes. Yes. Bosmans-Verdonk has used this opportunity to further force Illinois head coach Brad Underwood and this Illini coaching staff to use him as a rotational bench piece once Cockburn returns to the lineup following the conclusion of his three-game NCAA-mandated suspension.

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Mike Cagley's Heat Checks and Hail Marys - Does Illinois Have a Third Star?

Mike Cagley's Heat Checks and Hail Marys - Does Illinois Have a Third Star?

Mike Cagley, IlliniGuy November 13, 2021 The Illini began […]

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Illini Dominate Red Wolves: Sturdy's Three Takeaways

Illini Dominate Red Wolves: Sturdy's Three Takeaways

Illinois got a spark from a pair of first half technicals, turning a 6-point lead into a 22-point halftime lead and cruised to a dominating 92-53 win over the Arkansas State Red Wolves. Coleman Hawkins had 17 points and 12 rebounds, while Jacob Grandison scored 15 and Trent Frazier added 12 as Illinois improved to 2-0. Andre Curbelo had 8 points and 7 assists in his return from concussion protocol. 

Arkansas State got 15 from Marquis Eaton and fell to 1-1. 

The Illini passed their first test with flying colors, but now get a road test at Marquette as they attempt to go 3-0 without All-American Center Kofi Cockburn. Here’s what we learned: 

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A Healthier Illini Clamp Down In A 92-53 Win Over Arkansas State

A Healthier Illini Clamp Down In A 92-53 Win Over Arkansas State

Coleman Hawkins recorded his first career double-double and Andre Curbelo and Trent Frazier made their delayed season debut as 11th ranked Illinois breezed past visiting Arkansas State, 92-53.

The Red Wolves (1-1) were expected to give the Illini a tough test when the schedule was first announced and that was even with the Orange and Blue at full strength.  But even with All-American center Kofi Cockburn serving the second of a three-game NCAA suspension and top reserve Austin Hutcherson still out with a tailbone injury, the Illini proved to be no match for the visitors.

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