Featured

Sturdy's Takeaways - Nebraska Edition

Sturdy's Takeaways - Nebraska Edition

Brad Sturdy, Co-Host IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular

February 1, 2023

These 4 Takeaways

Read
The Farrell Files - Looking at the New Assistant Coaches

The Farrell Files - Looking at the New Assistant Coaches

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

February 1, 2023

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

With no real new recruiting news since my last one, I’ll dig into the new assistant coaching hires.

Read
Ty Them Down: Rodgers Finishes Win Over Nebraska With Dominating Defense & Rebounding Performance

Ty Them Down: Rodgers Finishes Win Over Nebraska With Dominating Defense & Rebounding Performance

Illinois freshman wing Ty Rodgers has carved out a role in his freshman season as the “invaluable” complimentary part to Brad Underwood’s rotation. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 31, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Being a complimentary part isn’t something new in the basketball life of Ty Rodgers, but the freshman cites his current mindset toward what was a breakout performance. 

Read
Illini Defense Downs Nebraska, Climb Into Sole Possession of 2nd Place

Illini Defense Downs Nebraska, Climb Into Sole Possession of 2nd Place

By IlliniGuys Staff

January 31, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Matthew Mayer scored a team-high 16 points and the Illinois defense completely locked down Nebraska down the stretch to put together a convincing 72-56 win Tuesday night at State Farm Center.

It's the seventh win in eight games for the Illini (16-6, 7-4), who become just the second team to win seven games in Big Ten play after Purdue.

Read
Whitney Young's Star PG Destiny Jackson Serious About Illinois

Whitney Young's Star PG Destiny Jackson Serious About Illinois

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

January 30, 2023

Arguably the best sophomore player in the state of Illinois in girls' basketball is Destiny Jackson from Whitney Young High School in Chicago.

Read
Illinois Preview versus Nebraska

Illinois Preview versus Nebraska

Brad Sturdy, Co-Host IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular January 31, 2023 […]

Read

"Not playing like a freshman": Jayden Epps Continuing Point Guard Development During Illini’s Win Streak

Illinois is 3-0 with freshman guard Jayden Epps in the starting lineup. The former four-star prospect had 13 points and held Wisconsin’s perimeter players to being a non-factor on Saturday. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 31, 2023

MADISON, Wis. -- Jayden Epps isn’t being treated by his coaching staff with the brand of a first-year player any longer.

Read
Illini Bringing Back Thad Ward as Running Backs Coach

Illini Bringing Back Thad Ward as Running Backs Coach

According to ESPN.com’s college football senior writer Pete Thamel, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema has an agreement to bring Thad Ward back for his second stint as RB coach in Champaign.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 30, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Bret Bielema has reportedly filled out his 2023 on-field coaching positions with a former assistant on Lovie Smith’s Illinois staff. 

Read
Adalia McKenzie Responds to One-On-One Tutoring From Illini Head Coach With Double-Double

Adalia McKenzie Responds to One-On-One Tutoring From Illini Head Coach With Double-Double

Illinois sophomore wing Adalia McKenzie responded from one of her career worst performances earlier in the week to one of her best this season in a 10-point home win. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 30, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Sometimes when you have to fix something, you have to do it yourself.

Read
The Farrell Files - 4-Star O-Lineman in Iowa is Listening to the Illini

The Farrell Files - 4-Star O-Lineman in Iowa is Listening to the Illini

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

January 30, 2023

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

In this Farrell Files Illinois, I look at a key 2024 target and some important NIL information.

Read
Strong Shooting Performance Lifts #22 Illini Over Spartans, 86-76

Strong Shooting Performance Lifts #22 Illini Over Spartans, 86-76

By IlliniGuys Staff January 29, 2023 CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - […]

Read
Underwood’s Desire to Build a ‘Win Ugly’ Culture at Illinois Counters Previous Kohl Center Magic

Underwood’s Desire to Build a ‘Win Ugly’ Culture at Illinois Counters Previous Kohl Center Magic

The sixth win in the last seven games for Illinois is slowly building head coach Brad Underwood’s brand of winning with defense, toughness and rebounding.  

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 29, 2023

MADISON, Wis. -- What occurred in the Kohl Center is the definition of what Illinois head coach Brad Underwood talks about from the point of the first preseason practice when the topic of toughness is brought up. 

Read
Sturdy's Takeaways - Illini Roll Over Badgers

Sturdy's Takeaways - Illini Roll Over Badgers

Brad Sturdy, Co-Host IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular

January 29, 2023

The first half wasn’t pretty, but in the 2nd half the Illini put up 41 points beyond a stellar 26-point effort from Matthew Mayer to cruise to a 61-51 win over the struggling Wisconsin Badgers.

Read
Mayer's Career-High 26 Points Lifts Illini To Season Sweep of Badgers

Mayer's Career-High 26 Points Lifts Illini To Season Sweep of Badgers

By IlliniGuys Staff

January 28, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

MADISON, Wisc. - With leading scorer Terrence Shannon Jr. handcuffed by foul trouble, Matthew Mayer delivered a career-high 26 points as Illinois defeated Wisconsin for the sixth consecutive game, 61-51 Saturday afternoon.

Illinois (15-6, 6-4) has now won six of its last seven games to put that 0-3 start in the Big Ten behind them and climb into a 4th place tie in the conference.

Read
Longtime NFL Assistant Coach Charlie Bullen Hired as Illini’s Outside Linebacker Coach

Longtime NFL Assistant Coach Charlie Bullen Hired as Illini’s Outside Linebacker Coach

Bullen brings 11 years of experience in the National Football League and the Palantine, Ill. native started his coaching career as a student assistant under Kirk Ferentz at Iowa. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 28, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Bret Bielema said he was looking at experienced people in the three-letter league, NFL, for his assistant coaching vacancies

Read