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‘I can’t control what’s going to happen in the future’: Underwood Stressing Process Instead of Results in January

‘I can’t control what’s going to happen in the future’: Underwood Stressing Process Instead of Results in January

Illinois head coach Brad Underwood stresses Monday that if his team’s process is solid, the results will take care of themselves - including the results on Tuesday night at Indiana.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 13, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — After ending the 2022-23 season on a three-game losing streak, Brad Underwood’s Illinois squad failed to have consecutive losses in the following campaign.

With a 2024-25 season squad that only returns one contributing player, Dravyn Gibbs-Lawhorn, it’s possible trying to find comparisons is a fool’s errand but since the 2020-21 season, the Illinois eight-year head coach is 25-5 in the game immediately after a loss in regular season play. Ironically, Underwood said Monday his team’s ability to, as Illinois head football coach Bret Bielema would say, ‘not allowing one loss to beat you again” comes from “being process oriented” as his team approaches a five-month season.

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Football Recruiting Spotlight on Keelan Crimmins

Football Recruiting Spotlight on Keelan Crimmins

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

January 13, 2025

Illinois checked the final item off its offseason shopping list when Purdue punter Keelan Crimmins transferred for the second time in two years. Crimmins is an Australian who learned the American game at the Australian kicking academy.

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Heat Checks & Hail Marys - Illini Hoops Ups & Downs, What's Wrong with Penn State & Ohio State Makes the Plays to Win

Heat Checks & Hail Marys - Illini Hoops Ups & Downs, What's Wrong with Penn State & Ohio State Makes the Plays to Win

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

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Sturdy's Rewind: Illini Humbled by Trojans

Sturdy's Rewind: Illini Humbled by Trojans

Brad Sturdy, IlliniGuys Illini Insider & Co-Host of the IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular

January 12, 2025

The Illini were humbled on Saturday by the USC Trojans in Champaign, losing 82-72. The Illini shot poorly, which has become a common theme, and they didn’t rebound well enough, which was surprising. Desmond Claude scored at will in the second half, scoring 21 points after the break and 31 for the game, and Illinois struggled to do anything on offense. 

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Ked's Recruiting Roundup: Illinois Offers Florida Hidden Gem Defensive Back

Ked's Recruiting Roundup: Illinois Offers Florida Hidden Gem Defensive Back

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

January 12, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy player's Hudl page)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois head coach Bret Bielema discussed his unique recruiting strategy during a recent press conference, on how his staff identifies talent overlooked by other programs. The Illini carefully assess players before extending offers, knowing their evaluations often prompt other schools to follow suit within 24 hours.

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‘They whipped us’: Underwood Upset Over USC Physically Manhandling No. 13 Illini

‘They whipped us’: Underwood Upset Over USC Physically Manhandling No. 13 Illini

For just the second time this season, Illinois was outrebounded in a basketball game and Illini head coach Brad Underwood knows both of those times resulted in home losses.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 11, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois head coach Brad Underwood may have created a new routine for his basketball team after what he witnessed Saturday afternoon.

Following the 82-72 loss to Southern California inside its home arena, Underwood suggested as the eight-year head coach the possibility of a new plan for his team to be ready to play.

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Visiting USC Stuns #13 Illini, 82-72

Visiting USC Stuns #13 Illini, 82-72

By IlliniGuys Staff January 11, 2025 (Cover photo courtesy […]

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Sturdy's Preview - Trojan War on Tap

Sturdy's Preview - Trojan War on Tap

Brad Sturdy, IlliniGuys Illini Insider & Co-Host of the IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular

January 11, 2025

The Illini welcome the USC Trojans to the State Farm Center in the 10th all-time meeting between the two programs and the first as members of the Big Ten.

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Ked's Recruiting Roundup:  Why Illinois' Davon Grant? 'Bret Bielema doesn't lie.'

Ked's Recruiting Roundup: Why Illinois' Davon Grant? 'Bret Bielema doesn't lie.'

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

January 10, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy player's page on X)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Are you surprised that Illinois head football coach Bret Bielema landed one of the state’s top prospects from the Class of 2026? After an early-week meeting with Bielema, 6-foot-4, 200-pound junior wide receiver Davon Grant of DeKalb made his decision: he would stay home and play for his state university.

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Smith: Illini Digital Display In Full Effect

Smith: Illini Digital Display In Full Effect

By Larry Smith - Co-Host & Executive Producer, IlliniGuys […]

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‘What do we do? How do we respond?’: Illini Relishing Recent Doubt After Major Injuries

‘What do we do? How do we respond?’: Illini Relishing Recent Doubt After Major Injuries

After losing two starters this week for the rest of the season and having a six-player rotation, the Illinois women’s basketball program managed to still beat a Top 25 program. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 10, 2025

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — What’s left of this Illinois women’s basketball roster would very much prefer for the doubting outside of its locker room to continue. 

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Illini Women Shock #23 Iowa, 62-57

Illini Women Shock #23 Iowa, 62-57

By IlliniGuys Staff January 9, 2025 (Cover photo courtesy […]

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Ked's Recruiting Roundup: Illinois Gets Tight End Davin Stoffel from South Dakota State

Ked's Recruiting Roundup: Illinois Gets Tight End Davin Stoffel from South Dakota State

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

January 9, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy South Dakota State Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois has added more to next year's roster with the addition of tight end Davin Stoffel, a 6-foot-6, 250-pound sophomore from Mosinee, Wisconsin. Stoffel, who will have three years of eligibility remaining, comes to the Illini from South Dakota State.

Stoffel is set to join Tanner Arkin and Cole Rusk in Illinois’ tight end group next fall. His arrival adds much-needed depth to a position that saw the departure of Henry Boyer, who transferred to Kentucky earlier this year.

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Game Preview: Illini Women Host #23 Iowa

Game Preview: Illini Women Host #23 Iowa

(From Illinois Sports Information Office)   Illinois vs. #23/23 […]

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OL Ayden Knapik Transfers to Illinois

OL Ayden Knapik Transfers to Illinois

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

January 9, 2025

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The Illinois football program has been actively working to fine tune its offensive line with not just added depth but also high-caliber talent. Their efforts paid off with the addition of Idaho Vandals standout Ayden Knapik, a 6-foot-6, 295-pound senior from Kennewick, Washington.

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