Sturdy: Adidas Targets On Display and More….
By Brad Sturdy - IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst & Co-Host, IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular
May 18, 2025
(Cover photo courtesy 3SSB)
There was some great talent and some great matchups on Saturday at the Adidas 3SSB in Council Bluffs, Iowa. there were Guards and wings, but a big man showed off as much as anyone in front of a multitude of coaches. Here’s a look at how some Illini targets fared on Saturday:
Prince: Illinois Basketball Duo Making Waves at NBA Combine
By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
May 16, 2025
(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois fans expected freshman guard Kasparas Jakucionis to be a one-and-done, but few anticipated just how impactful Canada’s Will Riley would be in his brief time with the Illini.
This week at the NBA Draft Combine, held at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, both players continued to elevate their draft stock. A source attending the combine shared insight on how the Illini duo performed, what the combine entails, and what’s next in the process.
Sturdy: Open Period Commences
By Brad Sturdy - IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst & Co-Host, IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular
May 16, 2025
(Cover photo courtesy player's X page)
The Illini coaching staff will be out in force this weekend, with the EYBL in Memphis, the Under Armour in Ohio, and the PUMA Pro 16 circuit in Kansas City. Illinois will have coaches at each of these events. But perhaps the biggest event for Illini fans to follow is the Adidas event in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Here’s a look at a few players to watch:
Underwood Going Outside His Basketball Circle With Hiring of Camryn Crocker
Illinois head coach Brad Underwood is betting on a youthful and quick-rising player-development candidate with the expected hiring of Colgate assistant coach Camyrn Crocker.
By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer
May 15, 2025
(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Brad Underwood has elected to go outside his basketball circle fill his vacant assistant coach spot with a youthful candidate that has built his career on a reputation of player development.
The Illinois eight-year head coach is expected to hire Colgate assistant coach Camryn Crocker to fill the spot on Underwood’s bench left by Tim Anderson shortly before the 2024-25 season.
Hail to the Victor: Michigan’s Hunter Thomson Wins NCAA Urbana Regional Medalist Honor
Troy advances to program’s first-ever team NCAA Championship as […]
California Dreamin’ Again: Illini Share NCAA Urbana Regional Title With Oklahoma State
For the 17th time in 18 appearances, Illinois will […]
Ked's Recruiting Roundup: The Illini Add DL Parker Crim To 2026 Class
By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
May 14, 2025
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The recruiting front had been relatively quiet for Illinois athletics in recent days, until early this morning. Illinois head football coach Bret Bielema, fresh off his new contract extension, gave Illini fans something to smile about with his trademark social media tease: “Just feels like a good day for some good news for the #famILly.”
That good news came in the form of a commitment from Parker Crim, a 6-foot-3, 235-pound edge rusher from Lima, Ohio.
Prince: Winning Culture, Talented Roster Should Boost Illini Transfer Andrej Stojakovic's NBA Stock
By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
May 14, 2025
(Cover photo courtesy Cal Athletics)
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Earning a spot in the McDonald's All-American Game puts any recruit squarely on the radar of NBA scouts. It signals you're among the top 25 players in the country.
Illinois transfer Andrej Stojakovic participated in the 2023 game in Houston and thus has been a player to watch in his collegiate career.
Bret Bielema & Illinois Agree To Six-Year Guaranteed Contract Thru At Least 2030 Season
By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst
May 14, 2025
(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois has made a new contractual commitment to Bret Bielema for at least the next six years and what could be the next decade.
University officials announced the new signed deal with its fifth-year head coach on Tuesday afternoon that would keep Bielema in charge of the Illini football operation through at least the 2030 season. This six-year contract would be the third brand new agreement that University of Illinois officials have signed with Bielema since he agreed to become the Illini new head coach in Dec. 2020.
Bielema’s new contract will need to be voted on for approval by the Board of Trustees at its regularly scheduled meeting on May 22 in Urbana.
Illini's Underwood Receives Contract Extension
(From Illinois Sports Information Office) (Cover photo courtesy Joe […]
NCAA Urbana Regional Notebook: Illini’s Ryan Voois Quietly Climbing Up Leaderboard Again
Top-seeded Oklahoma State used four under-par qualifying scores to fly up the team leaderboard while North Carolina remains in trouble of not advancing to the NCAA Championships.
By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer
May 13, 2025
URBANA, Ill. — When asked if Ryan Voois is one of the more unique personalities he’s ever recruited and coached in his 25 years as the Illinois head coach, Mike Small couldn’t stop himself from laughing.
“What do you think?” Small said with that child-like grin.
Voois, a member of the Dean's list every year of his high school career before enrolling at Illinois and currently a member of the James Scholar Program and the Gies Scholar Program in Business at the University of Illinois, is “off the charts smart” but the 21-year-old manages to carry himself as an unassuming member of this NCAA Urbana Regional field.
Trey Marrion Provides Lift Off Illini’s Bench in Day 2 of NCAA Urbana Regional
After being forced to watch the opening round of the 2025 NCAA Urbana Regional, Illinois freshman Trey Marrion fires a 1-under 70 after being subbed in.
By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer
May 13, 2025
URBANA, Ill. — One of the main reasons Illinois men’s basketball head coach Brad Underwood and Illinois men’s golf head coach Mike Small have been good friends is the mentality, energy and discipline they both run their programs.
The major, obvious difference about the two men is how the sport Underwood leads forces him to use his bench while Small very much does not. So, Tuesday may have just been a perfect day where Underwood arrived at Atkins Golf Club as a spectator to watch his buddy go to his bench to maintain lead in the second round of the 2025 NCAA Urbana Regional.
NCAA Urbana Regional Notebook: Illini Subbing in Freshman Trey Marrion For Second Round
Illinois sophomore Max Herendeen angered over double-bogey finish; Several […]
Buchanan Breaks 18-Hole Atkins Golf Club Record For Opening Round Lead; Illini Lead NCAA Urbana Regional
Both Illinois senior Jackson Buchanan and Illini squad hold […]
Why Ryan Voois is the Illini’s ‘Moneyball’ Analytical Darling in NCAA Urbana Regional
Don’t be surprised if halfway into this NCAA Urbana Regional, Illinois junior Ryan Voois sneaks his way near the top of the leaderboard with a solid, yet unassuming style of play.
By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer
May 12, 2025
URBANA, Ill. — It should come as no surprise that Ryan Voois is a finance major while also being a relied upon veteran golfer at the University of Illinois.
Because if there’s a single player who has studied and ironed out his game according to critical statistics to his success, it is the 21-year-old Californian analytical darling of Mike Small’s 2024-25 Illini roster.
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