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Big Ten Conference Announces 2025-28 Basketball Tournament Sites

Big Ten Conference Announces 2025-28 Basketball Tournament Sites

Big Ten Conference Press Release July 31, 2024 ROSEMONT, […]

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Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Canada Prep Spencer Ahrens to Visit Illinois Thursday

Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Canada Prep Spencer Ahrens to Visit Illinois Thursday

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

July 31, 2024

Champaign, Ill. — Spencer Ahrens, a 6-foot-9 forward from Oakville, Ontario, will begin his official visits this fall, starting with Illinois. The Class of 2025 prospect is scheduled to visit the Fighting Illini’s campus on Thursday.

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Illini Safeties Will Start with New Radio Communication in Helmet During 2024 Season

Illini Safeties Will Start with New Radio Communication in Helmet During 2024 Season

All Football Bowl Subdivision teams will be given the option of using coach-to-player communications through the helmet of one player on both sides of scrimmage in the 2024 season. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

July 30, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — So far, in a classic 2024 response, the only early public mistake with Illinois’ transition to a new radio technology in the player helmets has been with a supply chain delivery issue. 

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Confidence in Illini OC Barry Lunney Jr. Revolves Around Returning Experience

Confidence in Illini OC Barry Lunney Jr. Revolves Around Returning Experience

Illinois returns a third-year offensive coordinator, second-year quarterback with 18 games of experience and depth at offensive line to attack defenses in the 2024 season.  

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

July 30, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- With preseason talk turns to the offense, the message being sent out of the Smith Family Football Center is one of quiet confidence. 

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Illini Head Coach Bret Bielema: ‘In 2021, 2022, 2023 our defenses were under me and the 2024 defense is under me.’

Illini Head Coach Bret Bielema: ‘In 2021, 2022, 2023 our defenses were under me and the 2024 defense is under me.’

While not wanting to undercut his coordinators on either side of the ball, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema made it clear at Big Ten Football Media Days that if the defense fails, blame him. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

July 30, 2024

CHAMPAIGN — It’s pretty clear that Brett Bielema is sick and tired of hearing public criticism about the Illinois defensive coordinator spot when he feels those folks have missed the target. 

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Illini Football 2024 Preseason Camp Practice Report #1 - Zakhari Franklin Fully Active For Individual Drills During Media Viewing

Illini Football 2024 Preseason Camp Practice Report #1 - Zakhari Franklin Fully Active For Individual Drills During Media Viewing

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

July 29, 2024

Good evening and welcome to the first preseason camp practice for the Illinois program for the 2023 season in the fourth campaign of Illini head coach Bret Bielema that begins under lights in Memorial Stadium.

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Bielema Loves Talent in Illini Running Back Room

Bielema Loves Talent in Illini Running Back Room

As preseason practice begins Monday evening, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema sees the personnel talent to get the Illinois running game back on track for success.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

July 29, 2024

CHAMPAIGN — As Bret Bielema enters his 16th preseason camp as the head coach of a power conference program, the first consistency is always that the highest priority will always revolve around the running game. 

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Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Illinois One of Six Early Visits for Mikel Brown Jr.

Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Illinois One of Six Early Visits for Mikel Brown Jr.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

July 29, 2024

Champaign, IL - Illini Nation has its eyes set on Mikel Brown Jr., one of the nation's top playmakers, as he announces the first six schools he plans to visit.

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Ked's Recruiting Roundup - The Fighting Illini Women Already Pursuing Top Prep in 2026

Ked's Recruiting Roundup - The Fighting Illini Women Already Pursuing Top Prep in 2026

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

July 28, 2024

Champaign, IL. - Shauna Green and her coaching staff are making significant strides in recruiting, positioning themselves to potentially land one of the nation's top five recruiting classes next year. The Illinois women's basketball program is in a strong position with three top 25 players in the 2025 class: guards Divine Bourrage from Davenport North, Destiny Jackson from Whitney Young, and 6-foot wing Taliyah Henderson from Salpointe Catholic High School in Arizona.

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Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Update on Illinois Men's Basketball Recruiting

Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Update on Illinois Men's Basketball Recruiting

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

July 27, 2024

Champaign, IL. - When it comes to Illinois basketball recruiting, all eyes are on head coach Brad Underwood and his staff. With another outstanding team secured for the 2024-25 season, let's take a closer look at a couple of recruits involving Illinois.

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Yorkville Native Jason Jakstys Fulfilling His Potential at Illinois

Yorkville Native Jason Jakstys Fulfilling His Potential at Illinois

Kedric Prince, Director of Recruiting 

July 27, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Amidst the buzz surrounding the new faces on the Illinois basketball team, one notable addition has largely gone unnoticed. Jason Jakstys, a 6-foot-10 stretch forward from Yorkville, is quietly making his mark.

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Mercer Transfer Jake Davis Quietly Goes About His Business

Mercer Transfer Jake Davis Quietly Goes About His Business

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

July 26, 2024

Champaign, IL - Mercer transfer guard Jake Davis was the first prospect to commit to Illinois after their Elite Eight run this past season. Illinois head coach Brad Underwood and assistant coach Tyler Underwood saw the interest from Davis, reviewed extensive game footage, and promptly offered him a scholarship.

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Terrance Brooks Selected Illinois Because of Three Letters: Not NIL, NFL

Terrance Brooks Selected Illinois Because of Three Letters: Not NIL, NFL

Brooks, arguably the most significant acquisition out of the transfer portal for Illinois in the Bret Bielema era, arrives in Champaign after needing a push from his NFL alum father. 

Matthew Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

July 25, 2024

CHAMPAIGN — Terrance Brooks didn’t just imply or hint that he took less of a pay-for-play salary to sign with Illinois out of the transfer portal, he said the perceived quiet part out loud. 

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Newcomer Tre White to Play Significant Role in Illini Success

Newcomer Tre White to Play Significant Role in Illini Success

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

July 25, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois fans might feel a sense of déjà vu when they hear about Louisville transfer Tre White. Questions circulated early when he committed: Who is he? Where did this recruit come from? How can a player from a struggling Louisville team help us? Is this a reach for Coach Tim Anderson?

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Illini Defense Success Riding On Rebound Season From Gabe Jacas

Illini Defense Success Riding On Rebound Season From Gabe Jacas

Illinois third year outside linebacker Gabe Jacas must find himself in offensive backfields in 2024 season. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

July 24, 2024

INDIANAPOLIS — One year ago, Bret Bielema broke his long-standing rule of bringing non-seniors to the league’s media day because if he didn’t, the Illinois head coach knew Jer’Zhan Newton would be in professional football the following summer. 

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