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

March 15, 2024

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)

With the Ohio State win over Iowa on Thursday evening, the Illini will take on the Buckeyes on Friday evening from the Target Center in Minneapolis. It will be the second meeting between the two teams, with Illinois beating the Buckeyes 87-75 in Columbus back on January 30th before Chris Holtmann was fired and now hired by DePaul. But Jake Diebler has these Buckeyes rolling, having won 5 in a row and 6 of 7 to play their way into NCAA tournament contention. A win over the Illini would move them even closer. 

Setting the Stage

#13 Illinois 23-8, No. 2 Seed vs #10 Seed Ohio State 20-12

Big Ten Tournament // Minneapolis, Minn. // Target Center 

Quarterfinal/ Friday, March 15, 2024 // 5:30 p.m. CT 

TV: BTN – Brandon Gaudin (Play-By-Play), Robbie Hummel (Analyst), Andy Katz (Sideline)

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

National Radio: Compass Media Networks – Matt Smith (Play-By-Play), Mike Wozniak Satellite

Radio: SiriusXM – 84

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

March 14, 2024

Illinois made its biggest defensive back recruiting win of the Bielema era when Blue Island Eisenhower's Andre Lovett committed to the Illini. Lovett has played numerous skill positions on offense and defense for Blue Island, but most of this time this past season was at a sort of corner/safety hybrid position which should fit well with the Illini's use of multiple safeties. Lovett is rated as a high three-star player as I write this, but recruiting sites tend to increase the ratings of quality prospects as the Spring and Summer progress, so I think it's fair to say that he's going to be a 4-star player on at least one site before too long.

What does he bring to the Orange and Blue?

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

March 13, 2024

In the past two years, the NCAA men's basketball transfer portal has proven to be a crucial ally for Illinois, and Head Coach Brad Underwood has strategically utilized it to maintain his team's competitive edge.

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

March 13, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at not one, but two surprise commitments as Bret Bielema and staff are cooking in March.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

March 12, 2024

Illinois football continues to build a promising future as head coach Bret Bielema proudly announced, "Let's keep the good news coming... just feel like more is better for the #famILLy #ILL" on the social media platform X formerly known as Twitter, hinting at an imminent commitment.

Big Ten Announces 2024 Men’s Basketball Postseason Honors ROSEMONT, […]

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

March 12, 2024

In the inaugural year of the Shauna Green era, Illinois women's basketball fans experienced a welcome change from years of disappointment. Before Green and her staff arrived in Champaign, Illinois, the program struggled, often serving as an easy win for opponents. 

However, the 22-23 season saw a remarkable turnaround, with the Fighting Illini finishing with a stellar record of 22-10 and 11-7 in the competitive Big Ten Conference, earning a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

Illinois Athletics March 12, 2024 Probable Starting Pitchers Day  […]

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

March 11, 2024

Blue Island Eisenhower defensive back Andre Lovett has officially committed to the University of Illinois, choosing the Illini over several Power Five offers from esteemed programs such as Iowa, Arizona State, Louisville, Missouri, Purdue, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, and Wisconsin. 

The 2025 recruit's decision is a significant victory for the Illini, and his commitment adds depth and talent to their upcoming roster.

Brad Sturdy, Uber Illini Insider and Co-Host IlliniGuys Sports […]

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

March 11, 2024

The Illini beat the Hawkeyes on Senior Day in Iowa City by a 73-61 score behind 25 points from Terrence Shannon to finish the regular season at 23-8 and 14-6 in Big Ten play. Quincy Guerrier had 14 points and 13 rebounds to show the spark from earlier in the season, while Marcus Domask added 11 and Dain Dainja scored 9 off the bench to make the difference as the Illini held the high-powered Hawkeyes in check, Iowa shooting just 36% overall and 33% from 3-point range in their lowest scoring output of the season. 

It was a season of "what ifs" regarding the Shannon suspension, the late leads blown and just ‘one more player’, but this was a successful regular season that continued down the path of setting yourself up for a positive tournament run. Now, they need to complete the run. 

These 3 Things

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

March 11, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at the new hire at OLB and look at an impending commitment who could be under ranked.

No. 12 Illinois leads nearly from start to finish […]

Clint Sintim has been hired to be Illinois’ third […]

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

March 10, 2024

Over the past few years, the rivalry between Illinois and Iowa has grown even more, in large part because they have been two teams near the top of the Big Ten. On Sunday the game has massive implications for both teams, as the Illini are looking to solidify a top 4 seed in the NCAA tournament with another win, while the Hawkeyes are looking to play their way into the NCAA tourney during the last week. 

Although Iowa City isn’t the madhouse it normally is this season, expect a great crowd and hostile environment on the road. 

Setting the Stage

#12 Illinois (22-8, 13-6 B1G) at Iowa (18-12, 10-9 B1G) 

March 10, 2024 // 6 p.m. CT // Iowa City, Iowa // Carver-Hawkeye Arena 

TV: FS1 – Brandon Gaudin (Play-by-Play) & Stephen Bardo (Analyst) 

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

Notables