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Illinois head coach Bret Bielema jokes that if his morning coffee barista isn’t talking about Saturday’s sellout crowd inside Memorial Stadium this weekend, it isn’t a focal point of his world.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 5, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — When asked about the upcoming matchup this weekend against No. 19 Kansas was a sellout, Bret Bielema admitted to literally and figuratively being in the dark to anything that occurs outside the Smith Family Football Complex. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

September 5, 2024

Champaign, IL – Entering their fourth season together, Illinois head women's basketball coach Shauna Green and her staff are slowly building a program that should contend with the top half of the Big Ten for a few more years, that's including the new West Coast schools.

During Green's introductory press conference, she shared her vision for the program and what it would take to achieve it. "I want to recruit the state of Illinois. There's a lot of talent here. We want them to know Illinois is a place you can go to win games and championships," Green said.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

September 5, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, IL – The University of Illinois women’s basketball program is celebrating the commitment of one of the nation’s top point guards, Destiny Jackson. The 5-foot-6 standout from Whitney Young High School in Chicago announced her decision to join the Fighting Illini today, giving head coach Shauna Green her first recruit from the class of 2025.

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

September 5, 2024

(Mike Farrell also has his own website: https://mikefarrellsports.com/)
In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at a few commits who will be on hand recruiting for the Illini during the Kansas game, rank 2025 DE commit Erik Gayle vs the industry and look at how the LBs stack up against the Big Ten.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

September 4, 2024

Davenport, IA. – Illinois' women’s head basketball coach Shauna Green is spending this week traveling the country, scouting top talent for the Fighting Illini. Green is from Clinton, Iowa just several miles from Davenport.

Green visited Wood Intermediate Jr. High School Tuesday night to watch five-star guard Divine Bourrage work out. Bourrage is ranked as the #5 recruit in the ESPN 2025 HoopGurlz Recruiting Rankings.

Both Kansas and Illinois have built their programs with Midwest-based head coaches establishing a physicality and diversity in the run game.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 4, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — While it will not obviously be counted as a conference game, Saturday night’s matchup at Memorial Stadium should remind folks of an old-school Big Ten Conference matchup.

For some many different reasons, this Saturday’s matchup vs. No. 19 Kansas can serve as a momentum shift for the rest of Illinois’ 2024 season. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 4, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — When it’s rather difficult to exactly put a finger on one reason for the importance of a given event, you can usually guarantee it has a high level of significance. 

Illinois defensive coordinator Aaron Henry tells local media that Terrance Brooks is intentionally not in the Illini’s starting lineup and the transfer from Texas is not hurt.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 3, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Add Illinois defensive coordinator Aaron Henry to the list of people publicly saying that Terrance Brooks not being in the Illini’s starting 11 on defense is a performance-based issue. 

Brad Sturdy, Illini Insider and Co-Host IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular

September 3, 2024

The Illini did exactly what they needed to do last week when they dismantled EIU 45-0, but now they face the daunting task that is the Kansas offense and Quarterback Jalon Daniels. But before we get to that, let’s talk about EIU. 

We were looking for 5 things heading into the game against the Panthers, and for the most part, we saw that.

Illinois defensive coordinator Aaron Henry said Monday he’s likely rewatched the 34-23 loss at Kansas last year “over a hundred times” to review his mistakes in preparation. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 2, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Over a hundred times. 

This is how many times Illinois defensive coordinator Aaron Henry says he’s watched film of his team’s 34-23 loss at Kansas in the second week of last season.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

September 2, 2024

Champaign, ILL — Thursday, September 5th, could mark a significant moment in Illinois women's basketball recruiting. Head coach Shauna Green, now entering her third year at the helm, has already transformed Illinois into a respected program.

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst September 2, 2024 Welcome […]

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

September 2, 2024

Champaign, ILL – Illinois associate head men’s basketball coach Orlando Antigua didn’t recruit Will Riley just to fill out the roster. He saw the potential in the Kitchener, Ontario native and believed Riley could eventually become a star in the Big Ten.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

September 1, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – On a late weeknight, the Illinois football program hosted fewer high school visitors than usual on campus, but a larger turnout is expected on Saturday when they take on the Kansas Jayhawks.

The 2024 season opener on Thursday night was the first time Illinois wide receivers learned they’ll be receiving a hand-written letter as part of their position coach’s special pre-game ritual. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 1, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — While trying to calm himself down in the lobby of the team hotel on Thursday afternoon before his first game of the 2024 season, Pat Bryant was tapped on the shoulder by his position coach.