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The 54 combined points from Marcus Domask and Terrence […]

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

March 2, 2024

The Illini head to Madison on Saturday with an opportunity to clinch a double bye and a top 3 finish in the Big Ten, while also keeping their slim Big ten title hopes alive heading into Tuesday’s showdown with Purdue. To do that, they need to beat a struggling Wisconsin team that has lost 6 of 8. 

But most of the damage has happened on the road for the Badgers. Wisconsin has lost to only top 4 teams Purdue and Tennessee at home, and have wins over Marquette, Michigan State and Northwestern at the Kohl Center. It won’t be easy. 

Setting the Stage

#13 Illinois (21-7, 12-5 B1G) at Wisconsin (18-10, 10-7 B1G) 

March 2, 2024 // 12 p.m. CT // Madison Wis. // Kohl Center 

TV: BTN – Dave Revsine (Play-by-Play), LaPhonso Ellis (Analyst) 

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

Notables

Mike Cagley, Co-Host of IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular & Big […]

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys & Big Sports Radio National Football Recruiting Expert

March 1, 2024

(Mike Farrell also has his own website: https://mikefarrellsports.com/)

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at two massive official visits scheduled just when we thought things had slowed down.

Illinois was down by as much as 33 points in the fourth quarter of its 87-70 defeat at Michigan State and must now win two in a row to guarantee a .500 overall record.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

March 1, 2024

A poor start and an even worse second quarter for the Illinois women’s basketball program resulted in a blowout loss at Michigan State on Thursday night forcing a desperate situation to qualify for postseason play. 

Despite having a KenPom.com defensive efficiency rating of No. 94, Illinois is still near the top of a Big Ten Conference that has more offensive weapons than previous seasons.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

February 29, 2024

CHAMPAIGN — Despite Brad Underwood knowing his team was likely to win, a perfectly completed action resulting in a three-point shot by Mike Mitchell Jr. resulted in the Illinois seventh year head coach screaming at the top of his lungs and slamming his right fist on the scorer's table next to his bench. 

During the post-game radio interview following the victory over Minnesota on Wednesday night, Illinois color commentator Deon Thomas attempted to explain the 97 points allowed by the Illini by complimenting the home team's defensive overall efficiency. 

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

February 29, 2024

(Cover photo Joe Pickrell/IlliniGuys)

What we saw on Wednesday night was a legendary offensive performance from a pair of teams that just didn’t miss. The Illini won it 105-97 against Minnesota behind what was the best offensive performance in a Big Ten game for Illinois in at least 25 years. But on the other end, the defense was an issue. Minnesota shot 60% overall and 70% from 3, becoming the first high major team to lose while doing that in over 15 years, and perhaps longer. 

Terrence Shannon had 29 points and 6 rebounds while Marcus Domask had 22 points 7 rebounds and 5 assists and Coleman Hawkins had 20 points to lead Illinois to a 21-7 mark and a 12-5 record in Big Ten play. Minnesota got 29 from Dawson Garcia and 23 from Cam Christie as they fell to 17-11 and 8-9 in the B1G. 

These 3 Things

The Defense was Bad, but…..

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

February 29, 2024

Champaign, IL - Illinois played host to 2026 prospect, Andrew Jensen, a 6-9, 205-pound Power Forward hailing from Kaukauna, WI. Jensen, on an unofficial visit to the university, received more than just a glimpse into the Illini basketball program – he left with an official offer in hand.

By IlliniGuys Staff February 28, 2024 (Cover photo courtesy […]

Former Illinois defensive lineman Jer’Zhan Newton, who is a projected first round pick in 2024 NFL Draft, confirmed Wednesday at the NFL Scouting Combine he played last season on a broken foot.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

February 28, 2024

INDIANAPOLIS — If you’re watching tape of the final six games of Illinois’ 2023 football season, you’re watching Consensus All-American Jer’Zhan Newton play on a broken bone in his foot.

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

February 28, 2024

The Illini continue their Big Ten slate on Wednesday night when the upstart Minnesota Golden Gophers come to the State Farm Center. The Gophers are one of the surprise teams in the Big Ten and country this season and have positioned themselves for a postseason berth with a solid finish. The Illini are looking solidify NCAA seeding and double bye in the Big Ten tournament, with an outside chance at a Big Ten Championship

Tip-off is at 8PM CST and here is what we are looking for. 

Setting the Stage

#13 Illinois (20-7, 11-5 B1G) vs. Minnesota (17-10, 8-8 B1G) 

Feb. 28, 2024 // 8 p.m. CT // Champaign, Ill. // State Farm Center 

TV: BTN – Kevin Kugler (Play-by-Play), Stephen Bardo (Analyst), Andy Katz (Sideline) 

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

Notables

Cameron Chee-Aloy has an eight-game hitting streak to start his collegiate baseball career after the Toronto native was one of the most coveted signees in Dan Hartleb’s Illini program in several years.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

February 28, 2024

CHAMPAIGN — The way anybody can tell the Illinois baseball coaching staff loves Cameron Chee-Aloy is where he was listed on the Illini lineup card. 

By Chee-Aloy’s third collegiate baseball game, the Toronto native was the first name that Illini head coach Dan Hartleb wrote at the top of the lineup and the 18-year veteran head coach doesn’t typically race out to put a true freshman in the leadoff spot.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

February 27, 2024

Zion Gross is a 6-foot-3 shooting guard from Joliet West High School in the Chicagoland area. Despite not being highly ranked in the state of Illinois for the class of 2025, Gross has proven himself as a formidable player with a possible bright future at the next level.

Former Illini wrestling head coach Mark Johnson recruited Steve Rusk from his home area of the Quad Cities almost 30 years ago and is thrilled Steve’s son is a graduate transfer for Illini football. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

February 27, 2024

CHAMPAIGN — During his first week after moving into his residence at the University of Illinois, Cole Rusk was told there was a delivery for him on the front stoop at their family home in Rock Island.

Rusk immediately thought this was strange until he was told who the gift came from. 

“My dad told me that the next time I get home there was an Illini shirt waiting for me,” said Cole Rusk, the newest tight end signee for Illinois out of the transfer portal. “And then (my dad) said it was from his coach at Illinois and I was like ‘oh, that’s so awesome’.” 

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys & Big Sports Radio National Football Recruiting Expert

February 26, 2024

(Mike Farrell also has his own website: https://mikefarrellsports.com/)

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll take a look at two key 2025 targets and a 2026 emerging quickly.