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Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

November 16, 2023

Mario Sanders picked the Illini over a couple of low major offers coming off the Illinois victory over Indiana Saturday.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

November 16, 2023

An Illinois high school prep has a scholarship offer from one of the nation's top teams in the country but does not have one from one of his favorite schools, Illinois. 

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

November 15, 2023

Illinois racked up the most scrimmage yards they've ever had in a conference game. Their 662 yards gained made for a fun afternoon at Memorial Stadium and the memory of a lifetime for John Paddock. However, the Illini also allowed 451 yards, and their 139 penalty yards made this a much closer game than you'd think.

Illinois moves to 2-1 with the third-largest victory in […]

By Brad Sturdy - Illini Insider/Analyst & Co-Host, IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular

November 15, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)

The Illini fell to Marquette on Tuesday night in a matchup of Top 25 teams at the State Farm Center. Tyler Kolek dismantled the Illinois defense to the tune of 24 points and the Illini turned it over 15 times as they faltered down the stretch in a 71-64 defeat at the hands of the Golden Eagles. Terrence Shannon scored 21 to lead Illinois and Marcus Domask added 18 to lead the Illini, who fell to 2-1. 

Here's a look back:

These 3 Things

Turnovers are Killers - Illinois turned it over 15 times in a 66 possession game, which equates to a 22.7% turnover rate.

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema said on Sirius XM […]

Redshirt freshman wide receiver Ashton Hollins trusted the long-term plan of the Illinois coaches in the recruiting process and saw that patience finally begin to pay off last weekend.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

November 15, 2023

CHAMPAIGN — Maybe the key for Ashton Hollins is what everybody initially thinks is incredibly difficult is just his normal life. 

By IlliniGuys Staff November 14, 2023 (Cover photo courtesy […]

By Brad Sturdy - Illini Insider/Analyst & Co-Host, IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular

November 14, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)

The Illini welcome #4 Marquette to town on Tuesday evening as a part of the Gavitt Games. The Golden Eagles are the reigning Big East champions and return 4 of their 5 starters from a year ago. This will be a stiff early test for both teams, but especially for the Illini who once again have a host of new faces in the lineup. 

Here’s a look at the two teams, the keys to the game and a pick. 

Setting the Stage

Gavitt Tipoff Games

#23/23 Illinois (2-0) vs. #4/5 Marquette (2-0) 

Nov. 14, 2023 // 7 p.m. CT // Champaign, Ill. // State Farm Center 

TV: FS1 – Jason Benetti (Play-by-Play), Jim Jackson (Analyst) 

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

Notable

*No. 23 Illinois hosts Game 3 of a six-game, season-opening homestand on Tuesday night, welcoming No. 4 Marquette to sold out State Farm Center (7 p.m. CT, FS1) for the final year of the Gavitt Tipoff Games series between the Big Ten and Big East. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

November 15, 2023

The Fighting Illini are starting to look hard at the junior college route for players next year, while other programs still pursue the NCAA transfer portal.

Neither team’s defense showcased many fundamentals in the 48-45 overtime win for Illinois on Saturday but the lack of tackling basics in Aaron Henry’s group was troubling. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

November 14, 2023

CHAMPAIGN — In his 65 years living on this planet, Matt Millen has seen a significant amount of football. 

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema stated Monday afternoon that he and his staff haven’t officially made a decision which quarterback will start on Saturday for the Illini at No. 23 Iowa because Luke Altmyer still doesn’t have full medical clearance.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

November 13, 2023

CHAMPAIGN — As far as the head football coach at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is concerned, his program doesn’t yet have a quarterback question to answer. 

Mike Cagley, Co-Host Sports Spectacular and Big Sports Radio […]

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

November 13, 2023

Champaign, Ill–The visitor list for the Indiana Hoosier-Illinois game was thin, but, according to several sources, that is a good thing because most of the recruits the Illini are pursuing will be competing in the state of Illinois playoffs.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

November 12, 2023

The women's game has evolved to a new level; the recruiting has really picked up to a new level. IlliniGuys caught up with Prep Hoops analyst Lisa Jordan. She has kept a close eye on the Illinois women's program and the success Shauna Green has built in Champaign. Here is a question-and-answer session with Jordan.