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

January 24, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

Sometimes you’re the windshield, sometimes you're the bug. The Illini were the bug on Thursday night as the Maryland Terrapins totally dominated Illinois by a 91-70 score, one of the 12 worst defeats for Illinois at home in the entirety of their program, going back 120 years. Julian Reese had 27 and 17, but Derik Queen’s 25 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals was even more impressive. Kasparas Jakucionis had 21 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists, but also had 7 turnovers, many leading to Maryland runouts.

Here’s a look back at what we saw.

Illinois picked up a 25-point victory inside Welsh-Ryan Arena in the in-state rivalry matchup against Northwestern but accomplished it while its trio of star players sat the bench.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 24, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

EVANSTON, Ill. — With about three minutes remaining in what was a 29-point blowout, Kendall Bostic signaled to her head coach that she was ready to go back in the game.

Illinois head coach Shauna Green didn’t even look at her fifth-year center.

By IlliniGuys Staff January 23, 2025 (Cover photo courtesy […]

Illinois picked up its second straight 20-point victory inside […]

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

January 23, 2025

The Illini welcome Maryland on Thursday night and the Terps have been a thorn in the side of the Illini over the years. The Terrapins are 15-8 against the Illini and a shocking 6-2 in Champaign, winning over #10 Illinois in January of 2024. The Illini are hoping for a bounce back game after the heartbreaking defeat on Sunday and look to have a very good schedule to start a nice little run, but they will need to take care of the Terrapins first.

Here’s a look at the particulars.

Setting the Stage
#17 Illinois (13-5, 5-3) vs. Maryland (14-5, 4-4)
Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025 // 8 p.m. CT // Champaign, Ill. // State Farm Center
TV: FS1 – Jason Benetti (Play-by-Play) & Bill Raftery (Analyst)
Radio: Busey Bank Illini Sports Network – Brian Barnhart (Play-By-Play) & Deon Thomas

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

January 23, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy player's page on X)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Fighting Illini continue to build their class of 2026, which is shaping up to be a promising group. Kenyon Alston, a 6-foot-2, 172-pound wide receiver from Bishop More Catholic High School in Orlando, Florida, announced his commitment to Illinois on Thursday afternoon.

(From Illinois Sports Information Office) Illinois at Northwestern Date […]

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

January 23, 2025

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — All indications suggest that the Fighting Illini football program is trending upward in its pursuit of Kenyon Alston, a 6-foot-2, 172-pound wide receiver from Orlando, Florida.

By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst

January 22, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Associated Press)

First, I have to come clean for those of you who may remember our discussion last year: I was against the 12 team CFP. I thought the BCS was a sufficient way to crown a national champion and that:

1. There was too much risk of injury to star players

2. It would devalue the rest of the bowls too much, and

3. The current system was a fair enough way to crown a champion given that we had a good final four last year and usually did so. I remember typing the words "There is rarely a fifth team that has a genuine case at inclusion in the BCS, and there is basically never a sixth, seventh or eighth team that has a case."

The tailback room will likely be the position group with the most experienced depth on the Illinois offense when they open up preseason camp in August.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

January 22, 2025

(NOTE: This analysis is only a review of where the Illinois roster stands in mid-January and should not be served as a preview of what the Illini’s positional depth will look like by the time preseason practice opens in early August.)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — When asked about his priorities a week before Christmas for the transfer portal as he was gathering players for the 2025 season while also preparing for the upcoming Citrus Bowl, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema detailed exactly what wasn’t on his list.

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

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

January 21, 2025

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — College football officially concluded Monday night, with the Big Ten claiming back-to-back national titles—Michigan in 2024 and Ohio State in 2025.

Recruiting, however, never rests. The Illinois Fighting Illini appear to be taking full advantage of the recruiting period following their Citrus Bowl victory over South Carolina, 21-17.

January 21, 2025 (Cover photo courtesy Imagn Images)   […]

Illinois delivered 40 of its 78 points from the four members of the bench on Sunday as the Illini used a close loss to reveal its critically important depth.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 20, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Logic would suggest that Morez Johnson knew his role was likely to grow in the next few games once Tomislav Ivisic was diagnosed with strep throat.

Of course, to use that logic, you have to presume Johnson, the backup at Illinois behind the 21-year-old Croatian big, knew what his teammate was trying to play through on Sunday. Because Johnson didn’t.

“I didn’t actually know that Tommi was sick,” Johnson said.

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

January 20, 2025

Sometimes it just isn't your day. The Illini went into East Lansing on Sunday and found out that to win on the road you need to be more than just a little bit better than your opponent.