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Jack of Diamonds: Crowder Expected to Get Opening Day Start for Illinois

Jack of Diamonds: Crowder Expected to Get Opening Day Start for Illinois

Illinois RHP Jack Crowder, one of the program’s most anticipated signees in 2021, hopes to put all his natural ability together for a final year of college baseball.  

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

February 15, 2024

CHAMPAIGN — The last person to throw a pitch last season for Illinois may likely throw its first pitch in the 2024 campaign.

Senior right-hander Jack Crowder is likely to get the baseball first as the Illini look to rebound from its first under .500 season since 2017. And in a lot of ways, Crowder getting this opening game start for a 9 a.m. CST first pitch against Akron at Wake Forest’s David F. Couch Ballpark is fitting because the 6-foot-4 pitcher is looking to turn his results around as well. 

In his last appearance at the Big Ten Tournament at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Neb., Crowder held Michigan to just one run over the final four innings while striking out five in a 55-pitch outing. He’ll be looking to find that level of success in Illinois’ first game of the 2024 season. 

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Football Recruiting Spotlight on Tanner Heckel

Football Recruiting Spotlight on Tanner Heckel

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

February 15, 2024

It was a surprise when Matthew Bailey committed to Illinois right before signing day in 2022. No one even knew that Mac Resetich was even interested in playing football in college when he signed for Illinois on signing day last year, so that news came out of nowhere too. No serious Illinois football fan should have been shocked when Illinois offered Tanner Heckel a scholarship right before signing day in 2024.

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Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Grant Beerman

Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Grant Beerman

Grant Beerman Eyes Future Amidst Multiple College Offers Including Illinois

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

February 14, 2024

Standing at an impressive 6-foot-4 and weighing 210 pounds, Grant Beerman has caught the attention of college football programs across the country, earning offers from prestigious schools such as Illinois, Kentucky, Cincinnati, Georgia Tech, Duke, Indiana, Michigan State, Minnesota, Purdue, Virginia, and more.

Beerman's junior year was nothing short of spectacular, earning him a well-deserved spot as a first-team All-Conference player in the Greater Miami Conference (GMC). His stat line speaks for itself, boasting 79 tackles, including 12 for loss, 4 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 pass breakups. 

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The Farrell Files Illinois - NIL Coaching Feud

The Farrell Files Illinois - NIL Coaching Feud

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

February 14, 2024

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

I’m this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at the battle between Bret Bielema and Mario Cristobal and take a look at 2024 OT signee Andrew Dennis in four key categories.

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‘You’re Welcome’: Juwan Howard’s Recruiting Loss of Terrence Shannon is Illini’s Gain

‘You’re Welcome’: Juwan Howard’s Recruiting Loss of Terrence Shannon is Illini’s Gain

Terrence Shannon Jr.’s 31-point effort even made Michigan head coach Juwan Howard smile despite the fact he dominated the Wolverines in a 29-point blowout. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

February 13, 2024

CHAMPAIGN — Even after a 29-point blowout loss, Michigan head coach Juwan Howard made it clear he wasn’t going to leave State Farm Center without showing appreciation to Terrence Shannon Jr.

Following a 97-68 home win for an Illinois team severely in need of a confidence-building performance, Howard put Shannon in a bear hug during the post-game handshake and whispered several things in the right ear of the 23-year-old guard that made the Illini’s leading scorer smile. 

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14th Ranked Illini Rebound With 97-68 Decimation of Wolverines

14th Ranked Illini Rebound With 97-68 Decimation of Wolverines

By IlliniGuys Staff February 13, 2024 (Cover photo courtesy […]

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Heat Checks and Hail Marys – The

Heat Checks and Hail Marys – The "Joy" of Coaching

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

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Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Jason Dowell

Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Jason Dowell

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

February 13, 2024

Hailing from East Saint Louis, IL, Jason Dowell is making waves in the football world as a standout 6-4, 275-pound Defensive Line 2025 prospect from Althoff Catholic High School. With an impressive four-star rating, Dowell has become one of the most sought-after recruits in the state of Illinois and nation.

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema is keen on keeping Dowell within the state, recognizing his potential as a game-changer on the defensive line. Dowell has garnered interest from Auburn, Cincinnati, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas State, Kansas, Michigan State, Minnesota, Oregon, Missouri, and USC.

In a recent interview with IlliniGuys,

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Sturdy's Illini Basketball Preview - Michigan

Sturdy's Illini Basketball Preview - Michigan

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

February 13, 2024

After a rough finish on Saturday the Illini are back in action against Michigan on Tuesday at the State Farm Center. The Illini want to get the bad taste out of their mouth from the final 7 minutes in East Lansing against a struggling Michigan squad. The Wolverines have lost 11 of 13 and since beating Iowa in Iowa City on December 10th they have lost their last 5 road games with the last 3 being by 19+. 

It’s a game Illinois should win, and a must win. 

Setting the Stage

#14 Illinois (17-6, 8-4 B1G) vs. Michigan (8-16, 3-10 B1G) 

Feb. 13, 2024 // 6 p.m. CT // Champaign, Ill. // State Farm Center 

Stream: Peacock – Noah Eagle (Play-by-Play), Stephen Bardo (Analyst) 

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

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‘We’re soft’: Underwood Calls Out Illini’s Defensive Effort

‘We’re soft’: Underwood Calls Out Illini’s Defensive Effort

Illinois head coach Brad Underwood had some unpleasant and yet very choice words to describe his team’s mentality following one of the worst defensive efforts in several years last weekend.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

February 13, 2024

CHAMPAIGN — Brad Underwood has broken out the emergency four-letter word about his basketball team - soft. 

It took one of the least consistent defensive efforts in several years for the emergency “soft” glass to be broken with just under a month remaining before postseason bids are handed out by the Illini seventh-year head coach. However, there Underwood sat inside the State Farm Center media room Monday afternoon calling his squad one of the most incredulous things his 60-year-old mind could think of following an 88-80 loss at Michigan State on Saturday afternoon. 

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Sturdy's Prescription for Curing What Ails the Illini

Sturdy's Prescription for Curing What Ails the Illini

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

February 12, 2024

For 33 minutes it looked like Illinois was set to grab a massive road win at Michigan State. The Illini led 72-64 after a Marcus Domask 3 pointer and then after a Luke Goode blocked shot (it really happened), they got out in transition and Domask hit Harmon for a wide open wing 3 to go up by 11 with 6:47 to play. Ty Rodgers would foul on the rebound and Tyson Walker would make 2 free throws to begin the meltdown. 

Illinois would then go to Terrence Shannon for a 3 and then a mid-range jumper which were both misses, while Michigan State would get misses from Walker and Akins to keep it 72-66 with 5:05 to play. 

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Illini Women’s Hoops Trying to Find Final Month Run in Frustrating 2023-24 Season

Illini Women’s Hoops Trying to Find Final Month Run in Frustrating 2023-24 Season

In a season marred by high expectations and several deflating injuries, Illinois still has an opportunity to make a postseason bid in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2006-07.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

February 12, 2024

CHAMPAIGN — With her team being one game under .500 through 23 games in a season filled with expectations, Shauna Green is attempting to see the long-term play of her program rebuild. 

As we enter the second week of February in her second year at Illinois, Green is trying to balance the frustration of getting this veteran team over the hump of defeating quality basketball teams while also feeling encouraged by the small portions of games that define the characteristics she’s trying to build. 

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The Farrell Files Illinois - LB Coach Hiring Evaluation

The Farrell Files Illinois - LB Coach Hiring Evaluation

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

February 12, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at the other big coaching hire, LBs coach Archie McDaniel.

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Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Jason Jakstys

Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Jason Jakstys

Power Forward Jason Jakstys Shines on the Court

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

February 11, 2024

Jason Jakstys is making a significant impact on the high school basketball scene as a 6-foot-10, 205-pound Power Forward for Yorkville High School (HS). As a three-star prospect, has a newfound talent for putting the ball on the floor and applying pressure on opposing defenses.

IlliniGuys recently caught up with Jakstys, who has committed to the University of Illinois, to discuss his ongoing high school season and his thoughts on joining the Illini in Champaign this summer.

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Continue Fearing the Turtle: Slow Offensive Start Buries Illini in Home Loss to Maryland

Continue Fearing the Turtle: Slow Offensive Start Buries Illini in Home Loss to Maryland

Illinois’ trio of stars (Makira Cook, Genesis Bryant and […]

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