Shannon Leads Illini’s Second Half Surge in Big Ten Tourney Semifinal Win
Illinois outscores Nebraska 58-36 in the second half to […]
Shannon Leads Illini’s Second Half Surge in Big Ten Tourney Semifinal Win
Illinois outscores Nebraska 58-36 in the second half to […]
Sturdy's Illini Basketball Preview - Nebraska
Brad Sturdy, Illini Uber-Insider & Co-Host IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular & Big Sports Radio
March 16, 2024
It should be a shootout at the Target Center on Saturday afternoon when the Illini take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers, a team that looked unbeatable in dismantling Indiana on Friday night. Nebraska Coach Fred Hoiberg knows it will be a tough one:
“We're playing a helluva team tomorrow in Illinois, who gives you matchups problems all over the floor. And when you play this late game and you've got to bounce back and play at 2:30, it's hard. It's really, really hard. We're going to get our guys out of here tonight and let them sleep. I'll send them a first look. Illinois, we've only played them one time this year. Really have to have a good mental day of prep heading into this one, but that's what this time of year is all about. You've got to get ready, move on to the next one, and hopefully go out and play inspired basketball again.”
“It felt like the weight of world tonight”: Illini Survives Domask’s ‘Terrible’ Opening Game
Inside Illinois fifth-year senior Marcus Domask describing how he was able to handle one of the worst games of his collegiate career.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
March 16, 2024
MINNEAPOLIS — Friday night was the 138th career collegiate game for Marcus Domask and you’ll forgive the 23-year-old if he chooses to never remember a single second of it.
Sturdy's Rewind - Illini Survive OSU
Brad Sturdy, Illini Uber-Insider & Co-Host IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular & Big Sports Radio
March 16, 2024
It wasn’t pretty, but it was a win in an elimination game from a team that did not play well. Illinois defeated Ohio State 77-74, despite trailing by as many as 10 points in the second half and found a way to win and advance to the Big Ten Tournament semifinals where they will face another red-hot team, the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
The Illini started off well, hopping out to an 8-point lead early, before some poor shots and sloppy play allowed the Buckeyes to get right back into the game. After the half the Illini once again looked a bit confused and sloppy, and it allowed OSU to take a 10-point lead before Dain Daina and Terrence Shannon would lead them back.
These 5 Things (a free Big Ten Tournament Bonus: 2 Additional Things)
Illini Inch Closer Toward Possible 3-Seed Line in Upcoming NCAA Tournament
With recent disappointing conference tournament performances by Duke, Kansas, Tennessee and Kentucky, Illinois might be using the Big Ten Tournament to sneak into a higher NCAA seed next week.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
March 16, 2024
MINNEAPOLIS — The door to that final three seed spot in the NCAA Tournament may be painted orange and blue long before Selection Sunday decisions are finalized.
Illini Rally To Top Buckeyes In Big Ten Opener, 77-74
By IlliniGuys Staff March 15, 2024 (Photo courtesy Joe […]
Marcus Domask Previews Big Ten Tourney with the IlliniGuys, Presented By HX Home Solutions
(Editor's note: Fighting Illini guard Marcus Domask appears each […]
Sturdy's Preview - Illini Open Big Ten Tourney vs. Upstart Buckeyes
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
Football Recruiting Spotlight on Andre Lovett
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?
March Madness Marks the End of College Basketball, but it also Means Transfer Portal Time for the Fighting Illini
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.
The Farrell Files Illinois - Bret Bielema & His Staff Are Cooking
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.
Illinois Football Secures Back-to-Back Commitments
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.
Shannon, Domask and Hawkins Receive All Big Ten Honors
Big Ten Announces 2024 Men’s Basketball Postseason Honors ROSEMONT, […]
Off-season Crucial for Illinois Women's Basketball in 24-25
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.
Illini Baseball Set for Midweek Contest at Indiana State
Illinois Athletics March 12, 2024 Probable Starting Pitchers Day […]
Subscriber Testimonials:
Not a member? Join our mailing list: