Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Hayven Smith Update
Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
December 25, 2023
Illinois commit Hayven Smith is back on campus again to watch her future teammates this past week at the State Farm Center. Smith, a legitimate 6-foot-6 center with a big upside to her future, is watching more games to learn what the Illini are trying to do offensively and defensively.
Steve Sturm's Signing Day Spotlight on the Defense
Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst
December 25, 2023
I hope you all enjoyed part 1 of the signing day spotlight on the offense. I have to admit those nine offensive players were a little more fun to review, but the 10 defenders the Illini announced on signing day a few days ago are pretty good players as well. I'm going to start with the three young men most likely to play next year (by default): the defensive linemen.
Eddie Tuerk- DL
Many Illini watchers were excited to see that Coach Bielema announced Tuerk as a defensive lineman on signing day, but I have to say I concluded when he committed back in June that he was a much better player on that side of the ball. Tuerk is a good-sized young man at 6'5 and now 290 pounds, but he doesn't have the frame to carry much more weight than that without compromising his agility and straight-line speed. I was pleasantly surprised to see that he bulked up from 260 pounds last year to 290 now, but I think that's right about where he should stop. Unless he's going to be a center, you'd be asking Tuerk to either limit his athletic ability or play undersized in the Big Ten, where there are very few linemen under 300 pounds. Take a look at his abbreviated senior film. The defensive highlights stand for themselves, while the offensive highlight focuses on his speed.
The Farrell Files Illinois - Breaking Down the 2024 Recruiting Class & Portal Update
Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys & Big Sports Radio National Football Recruiting Expert
December 25, 2023
(Mike Farrell also has his own website: https://mikefarrellsports.com/)
In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll start breaking down the 2024 class that signed this week and continue to take a look at trending portal news.
Steve Sturm's Signing Day Spotlight on the Offense
Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst
December 24, 2023
Illinois completed a strong signing day on Wednesday so I thought this would be a great opportunity to check back on the players Illinois has had in the fold for quite a while to see how they've improved in their senior year. A couple of these guys are multi-position players, but Coach Bielema identified each of their primary positions in his signing day press conference, so that's where I'm slotting all of them for now.
I'm going to start with my favorites: the offensive line. Folks, this group of three linemen is the best I can remember coming into the program.
IlliniGuys Exclusive - Jeremy Fears Expected to Miss Three Months After Surgery
Michigan State freshman guard and former Illini recruit Jeremy […]
Sturdy's Braggin' Rights Rewind
Brad Sturdy, Co-Host Sports Spectacular & Big Sports Radio, Illini Uber-Insider
December 24, 2023
The Illini gave Missouri a beat down on Friday evening in a 97-73 spanking that wasn’t as close as the final score indicated. The Ilini led by 25 at the half and cruised to a dominant win that served notice. This team is for real.
Terrence Shannon continued his quest to be a first team All-American and have his jersey in the rafters with a 30 point 11 rebound and 4 assist performance and Quincy Guerrier scored 28 points and grabbed 8 rebounds of his own as Illinois took control early and never looked back.
Here’s what we witnessed:
Missouri Head Coach Dennis Gates Compares 2023-24 Illinois Squad to Flying Illini: ‘I believe Illinois is a Final Four team’
Missouri head coach Dennis Gates grew up in Chicago with an appreciation for elite Illini basketball and believes he saw it again Friday night in the Illinois Braggin’ Rights blowout win.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Reporter
December 24, 2023
ST. LOUIS — While growing up on the west side of Chicago, Dennis Gates had an appreciation for watching Lou Henson’s great Illinois basketball teams of the past.
Illini Transition Runs Missouri Out of St. Louis in Braggin’ Rights Blowout
The early plan for the Illinois offense was simple: Take the ball off the rim and run until Missouri stops them. And the Tigers rarely did in a 97-73 blowout win for the Illini.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
December 23, 2023
ST. LOUIS — Illinois took its cue on offensive pace Friday night from the original and long-standing hockey tenant of the Enterprise Center - get it and go.
Watch: Illini coach Brad Underwood Missouri postgame presser
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyF69uXEFhY
#13 Illini Dominate Mizzou In Braggin' Rights Rout
By IlliniGuys Staff December 22, 2023 (Cover photo courtesy […]
Terrence Shannon Wants Different Memory of Braggin’ Rights Game After Suffering 22-Point Loss Last Year
Illinois guard Terrence Shannon says he circled the date of his final Braggin’ Rights game immediately upon his announcement to return to college basketball this season.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
December 22, 2023
CHAMPAIGN — Terrence Shannon’s only memory of the Braggin’ Rights Game certainly isn’t a good thought.
Sturdy's Braggin' Rights Game Preview vs. Missouri
Brad Sturdy, Co-Host Sports Spectacular & Big Sports Radio, Illini Uber-Insider
January 22, 2023
Although the talk is always of Big Ten Championships and NCAA runs, for people who live in the St. Louis metro area there is often no bigger game than the annual McBride Homes Braggin’ Rights game each December. The Illini struggled a year ago in this game as the Tigers cruised to a win, but this Illini team appears different, and they seem to understand the importance of this game and want to have a Merry Christmas. It all starts with a win over Mizzou.
McBride Homes Braggin’ Rights
#13/11 Illinois (8-2) vs. Missouri (7-4)
Dec. 22, 2023 // 8 p.m. CT // St. Louis, Mo. // Enterprise Center
TV: FS1 – Jason Ross Jr. (Play-by-Play), Robbie Hummel (Analyst)
Radio: Busey Bank Illini Sports Network – Brian Barnhart (Play-By-Play), Deon Thomas
McKenzie, Cook Lead Illini To Holiday Win Over UTEP
(From Illinois Sports Information Office) WEST PALM BEACH, […]
The Farrell Files Illinois - The Wigenton Surprise & Farrell's Big Ten Recruiting Rankings
Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys & Big Sports Radio National Football Recruiting Expert
December 22, 2023
(Mike Farrell also has his own website: https://mikefarrellsports.com/)
Color me surprised by the commitment of OT Kevin Wigenton from Michigan State through the transfer portal.
Chester Frazier - Recruiting Road Warrior
Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
December 21, 2023
Illinois assistant men's basketball coach Chester Frazier headed west to look towards the future. The class of 2025-26 preps are on full display. Illinois has been involved in the transfer portal the past few years, but high school preps still matter at Illinois.
Subscriber Testimonials:
Not a member? Join our mailing list: