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Brad Sturdy, Co-Host Sports Spectacular and Big Sports Radio

December 17, 2023

Colgate Preview

After a week off, final exams, and multiple recruiting trips, the Illini are finally back in action Sunday as they take on the Colgate Raiders. Colgate is the best team in the Patriot League and are coming off of an NCAA tourney season. They have made the big dance in 4 of the past 5 seasons and are favored to win the league again. 

Illinois is now #16 in the country and look like the 2nd best team in the Big Ten. They have 3 games in the next 2 weeks that are games they need to win heading into Big Ten play. 

Setting the Stage

#16 Illinois (7-2) vs. Colgate (6-4) 

Dec. 17, 2023 // 12 p.m. CT // Champaign, Ill. // State Farm Center 

TV: BTN – Connor Onion (Play-by-Play), Trent Meacham (Analyst) 

Radio: Busey Bank Illini Sports Network – Brian Barnhart (Play-By-Play), Doug Altenberger 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

December 17, 2023

The Kevin Brown Memorial Tournament of Champions (Washington, Illinois) is one of the best holiday Thanksgiving basketball tournaments in the county. Each year the event continues to bring in teams from all across the country, with several states being represented, including Michigan, Missouri, Kentucky, and Florida.

Illinois tight end Tip Reiman says he’s sticking with a decision to leave college football despite not being a projected draft pick by any major news outlet. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyist

December 15, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN  — Tip Reiman has simply not allowed himself a fall-back option to return to college football. 

The 22-year-old Illinois tight end has seen his college career end and says he’s not allowing himself to use his last year of eligibility with the Illini football program to be a safety net option if he’s not projected to be selected in the 2024 NFL Draft. 

The deadline to submit or remove your name from consideration for this year’s draft is Jan. 15. However, Reiman will be on the list of underclassmen who have been approved for entry into the 2024 NFL Draft to be sent to clubs on Jan. 19. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

December 16, 2023

The Fighting Illini and Iowa Hawkeyes did battle on the football field back in November. Iowa squeaked out a victory over Illinois 15-13.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

December 16, 2023

Coming into the season freshman guard Dravyn Gibbs-Lawhorn appeared to be a lock in the 2023-24 men's basketball team rotation. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

December 15, 2023

Illinois received a commitment from cornerback Chase Canada.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

December 15, 2023

Once again, the Fighting Illini have been active in the transfer portal today. Youngstown State defensive lineman Anthony Johnson committed via his X (Twitter) page with the statement "Last one, best one."

Illinois defensive tackle Jer'Zhan Newton played more snaps as a defensive tackle than anybody at his position in a power conference since 2018. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

December 15, 2023

CHAMPAIGN - Jer'Zhan Newton certainly got nearly everything possible out of his final year of college football. 

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys & Big Sports Radio National Football Recruiting Expert

December 15, 2023

(Mike Farrell also has his own website: https://mikefarrellsports.com/)

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at the sudden need at tight end, the impact of Tommy DeVito in the NFL and a new offer for a key position in the portal.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

December 14, 2023

The year 2028 seems so far away in terms of recruiting, but in the Illinois women's basketball program, they have found a gem who is a star in the making.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

December 13, 2023

Berry Wallace is Illinois women's basketball coach Shauna Green's most prestigious recruit to date. Wallace, a five-star wing from Pickerington Central H.S. in Ohio, made a surprise visit this past weekend.

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys & Big Sports Radio National Football Recruiting Expert

December 13, 2023

(Mike Farrell also has his own website: https://mikefarrellsports.com/)

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at a recent decommitment and if it matters as well as a big potential visitor this weekend who could help in the trenches.

Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer has only done one on-the-record interview since being demoted to the backup quarterback spot in the final month of the 2023 season. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

December 12, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athetics)

CHAMPAIGN  — If Bret Bielema is to be believed, the Illini head coach is claiming he learned more about Luke Altmyer in the final three weeks where he wasn’t the starting quarterback. 

After starting the first nine games of the 2023 season following his arrival as a transfer from the University of Mississippi, Altmyer found himself back in a situation he didn’t want for himself again at the college level - a quarterback debate. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

December 12, 2023

The Illinois women had five-star guard Divine Bourrage on campus for the second time in two months. This time it was to watch the Illini in action and not watch them on TV. Bourrage is a key recruit for Shauna Green and her staff. Green and assistant coach DeAntoine Beasley have been to the Quad Cities four times this fall to watch her work out and play.

The All-American guard told IlliniGuys, "I'm averaging

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

Cover photo courtesy of Auburn Wire

December 11, 2023

Illinois' coaches have been working hard to address their clear need on the defensive line and the made another quality addition when former Auburn Defensive Tackle Enyce Sledge decided to switch orange and blue uniforms by committing to the Illini. Sledge was "on the plains" as they say at Auburn, for two years but he only saw the field for 15 snaps in his two years. That means figuring out where Sledge will fit in with the Illini involves a lot of guesswork.