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By Brad Sturdy - IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst & Co-Host, IlliniGuys […]

Illinois head to Lincoln to Face #24 Nebraska Preview […]

By Zeno Jo - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 24, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – A year and a half ago, Illinois became one of the first Division I schools and the first power conference school to offer Chicago native and Brother Rice standout defensive lineman Brayden Parks. Fast forward to present day, Parks has become not just one of the highest-rated players in the state, but one of the highest-rated defensive linemen in the entire nation.

When Parks spoke to IlliniGuys back in September, he’d racked up over 40 offers, with some of college football’s bluebloods chasing his signature. While Illinois did hop on the Parks train early, the likes of Alabama, Notre Dame, LSU, Michigan, and Ohio State have added to his ever-growing list of offers since then.

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Sr. Recruiting Analyst

January 23, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Fresh off a 74-71 win over rival Northwestern, the Illinois women’s basketball team spent its open week resting and recruiting as it looks to build on a strong start to the season.

Illinois is 15-4 overall and 5-3 in Big Ten play, tied for sixth place with Washington.

Coach Shauna Green said the break comes at the right time for a team that has leaned heavily on key contributors.

By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst

January 23, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Wide Open Country)

Welcome to Part 2 of the Cignetti Recipe: The Staff.

You may have seen that as a condition of Curt Cignetti's recent in-season extension that he ensured that he would basically have as much money as he wanted to keep whatever staff he wanted. On one hand, that makes sense because a staff is an underrated aspect to a program's success. On the other hand, it's a little surprising to see that Indiana would pay top dollar for the guys that have stuck with Cignetti as he's risen through the ranks. Coordinators Bryant Haines and Mike Shanahan have been with Cignetti at all of his head coaching stops, and the money is Cignetti's attempt to share the wealth since they both started making $10,000 as IUP assistants.

Haines is only 40 years old, and like Cignetti he has a brother in coaching. His brother Tyler is the head coach at DII Catawba. He's a far better communicator than Cignetti and is a future head coaching candidate, so the money helps Cignetti by ensuring that Haines doesn't leave for a head coaching job before he gets a perfect opportunity, not that it stopped Haynes from interviewing for the Michigan job. Shanahan (no relation to the hall of fame coach of the same name) is only 36, and after a brief playing career that included a cup of coffee in the NFL, he took a job at IUP and he's stuck with Cignetti ever since. Shanahan's expertise is with wide receivers and he retains that position coach position at Indiana, but he took the offensive reins at the end of Cignetti's time at James Madison and is still the OC (though Cignetti is very hands-on with the job). He too is a very personable guy and will have a shot at a big-time head coaching job before too long. 

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Sr. Recruiting Analyst

January 23, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy MaxPreps)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois is beginning to turn more attention toward the 2027 recruiting class as the program continues to evaluate long-term talent on the high school front.

The Big Ten has shown recruits across the country that leaving SEC territory to play in the league is not only realistic but increasingly attractive. With the last three national champions coming from Michigan, Ohio State, and most recently, the Indiana Hoosiers, the conference’s profile has never been stronger.

Illinois took another step in that direction this week, extending an offer to Darren White, a 6-foot-2, 290-pound defensive tackle from Lake Nona High School in Orlando, Florida.

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

January 22, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

No Boswell, no problem. Well, at least on the offensive end. The Illini continued their onslaught on the offensive record book with an efficient 89 points, but allowed 70 points for the first time since the Nebraska game when their 8-game win streak began. Andrej Stojakovic scored a season-high 30 points and grabbed 9 rebounds, while Keaton Wagler had 13 points, 8 assists and 7 rebounds to help the Illini move to 16-3 and 7-1 in Big Ten play.

Jake Davis got the start in place of Boswell and, after hitting 58 consecutive 3’s in the pregame, was 4-6 from deep to lead the Illini 3-point barrage that saw them hit 15-40 from deep against the Maryland zone.

Here’s a look at the particulars.

These 3 Things

Two-Way Andrej

Illinois head coach Brad Underwood didn’t hide what it’ll take for Illini to survive a three to four week stretch without Kylan Boswell - more Andrej Stojakovic.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 22, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Pickrell/IlliniGuys)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Through one night at least, the answer to the new equation for this Illinois team that now includes the loss of Kylan Boswell was simple math - the addition of Andrej Stojakovic.

Yes, the 6-foot-7 transfer guard from Stanford and California had more offensive freedom with the basketball in his hands early and often that led to a team-high and Illini-high of 30 points and a comfortable 89-70 victory over Maryland. However, scoring in waves is what Stojakovic was known for before arriving in Champaign-Urbana. The point guard action and defensive mentality was certainly not but Illinois head coach Brad Underwood said months ago he felt these elements is how Stojakovic could take the next step of his development.

“He stepped up to that challenge,” Underwood said Wednesday night. “It’s just amazing how often that when you worry about defense that offense will find you.”

By Zeno Jo - Illini Guys Staff Writer

January 22, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy player's X page)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Earlier this week, Illinois picked up a commitment from Jacksonville State defensive lineman Darrell Prater, who has one year of eligibility remaining. On Wednesday, Prater hopped on a phone call with IlliniGuys’ Zeno Jo to chat about his recruitment process, what he’s looking to get done in Champaign, and why Illinois was his pick.

Prater, who was part of the 2022 recruiting class, walked on to Jacksonville State his freshman season and worked his way towards a scholarship by his sophomore season. He says his experience and versatility are his biggest strengths on the field, and at 6-foot-3 and 300 pounds, “I just love the culture that they showed me,” he said. “There’s such a family bond on the staff and surrounding fans. It’s such a great place to be at.”

By IlliniGuys Staff January 21, 2026 (Cover photo courtesy […]

Illinois defensive back Xavier Scott discussed Wednesday his role as a defensive leader for the upcoming 2026 season

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

January 21, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — If you’re ever wondering who might have first leaked out that Xavier Scott was returning to Illinois for the 2026 season, look no further than the woman who Scott pays rent to every month for his apartment.

Illinois defensive coordinator Aaron Henry was planning to put a pair of new signees into Xavier Scott’s off-campus apartment that he shared this past season with starting safety Miles Scott and Henry was told by the landlord of that priority that may not be the best idea. Before ever talking to Scott himself, Henry was informed by the landlord that she was informed by Xavier Scott that he’d still need the apartment for the next several months.

“I actually got some insight that my landlady let Coach Henry know what I was doing,” Scott said while smiling. “She didn’t mean to tell (Henry) but I was just telling her to hold off giving the apartment away. That kind of shook Coach Henry a little bit and he kind of found out what was going on.”

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Sr. Recruiting Analyst

January 21, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois women’s basketball coach Shauna Green didn’t wait long to make history in her fourth year in Champaign.

Green landed the program’s first McDonald’s All-American since Chatrice White in 2014, securing a commitment from Pickerington, Ohio, native Berry Wallace, and early returns suggest the hype was warranted.

After making the move from Dayton to Illinois, Green kept close tabs on Wallace during her recruitment, selling her on a vision: be different, come to Illinois, and help lead the next era of the program. Wallace has done exactly that, emerging as one of the most productive players in the Big Ten and a cornerstone of Illinois’ strong start this season.

Wallace is now #4 in the Big Ten in scoring at 19.6 points per game while shooting 88% from the free-throw line. She has helped Illinois build a 15-4 overall record and a 5-3 mark in conference play, putting the Illini in position to contend weekly in one of the nation’s toughest leagues.

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

January 21, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)

The Illini are back in action Wednesday evening against the Maryland Terrapins, and will once again be short-handed as senior guard Kylan Boswell will miss multiple games with a fractured hand. No one player will be able to replace Boswell, but the Illini are hoping that improved play from Andrej Stojakovic and guards Mihailo Petrovic and Brandon Lee can help the Illini navigate a difficult stretch that is coming up.

But first they have to beat a Maryland team that has been their nemesis. Brad Underwood is just 3-9 against the Terps. Here’s a look at the particulars.

Setting the Stage
#11 Illinois (15-3, 6-1 B1G) vs. Maryland (8-10, 1-6 B1G)
Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026 // 6 p.m. CT // Champaign, Ill. // State Farm Center
TV: BTN – Chris Vosters (Play-by-Play) & Jordan Taylor (Analyst)
Radio: Busey Bank Illini Sports Network – Brian Barnhart (Play-By-Play) & Deon Thomas

Notable
*No. 11 Illinois, riding a season-best seven-game win streak, hosts Maryland Wednesday night at State Farm Center. Illinois is in search of its first eight-game win streak since Brad Underwood's fourth season, when the Illini also won eight straight from Feb. 25-March 19, 2021. That streak – the program's longest of the Underwood era – began with four straight Big Ten wins to close the regular season (last three on the road) and continued with the 2021 Big Ten Tournament title and an NCAA Tournament first-round victory.

*At 15-3 overall, Illinois is off to its best start since 2011-12. A win over Maryland would give the Illini its best 19-game record since also starting 16-3 during the 2008-09 season. Illinois is 6-1 in Big Ten play, looking to improve to 7-1 for the first time in the Brad Underwood era. A win over Maryland would mark the Illini's best start to Big Ten play since the 2004-05 squad won its first 15 league games as part of 29-straight wins to open the season. The 2005 Illini swept the Big Ten regular season and Tournament titles and advanced to the Final Four, finishing as the NCAA runner-up with a 37-2 overall record.

Darrell Prater, a former four-year contributor from Jacksonville State, has elected to move up to a power conference program to compete for a starting role on Illinois’ defensive front in 2026.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

January 20, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy player's X page)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The football coaching staff at the University of Illinois has again elected to dip into the talent pool of the Group of Six conferences for defensive line depth assistance.

Darrell Prater, a four-year defensive tackle at Jacksonville State, has signed an agreement to play his final year of collegiate eligibility at Illinois. Prater, a 6-foot-3 and 300-pound defensive lineman, is part of a massive reconstruction by Illini assistant coach Terrance Jamison and his boss, fifth-year head coach Bret Bielema, of the Illinois defensive front for the upcoming 2026 season.

Prater spent the 2025 season as a rotational defensive tackle piece in a 3-4 defensive scheme led by first-year head coach Charles Kelly, who served as a defensive coordinator at Florida State, Alabama, Colorado and Auburn before getting his first head coaching assignment at 57 years old.

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

January 20, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)

With 3:12 remaining in the first half on Saturday morning, the Illini trailed Minnesota 32-26. The vaunted Illini offense had been stagnant, showing no signs of life, missing open shots and were heading towards another morning game debacle at home.

Brad Underwood then inserted little used, and previously much hyped, point guard Mihailo Petrovic to provide a spark, and he did not disappoint. In that final 3:12 he would score 4 points, set up Zvonimir Ivisic for 4 more, and lead Illinois on an 8-2 run to end the half in a 34 all tie. He even showed off his quickness on the defensive end, pressuring the ball and denying entry passes to the wing, fighting through screens.

"My hat's off to Mihailo [Petrovic]. We don't win the game without him. He changed the whole outlook of the game at the end of the first half.”