Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Illinois 2026 Prep Lineman Gets First DI Offer from the Illini
Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
June 3, 2024
Casey Thomann, a 6-foot-7, 300-pound offensive tackle from Olney (Ill.) Richland County received the news he had been hoping for recently. Illinois offensive line coach Bart Miller extended a Division I scholarship offer to the talented sophomore.
Illini Women’s Basketball Adds Another Assistant Coach from Power Program
Illinois has announced the hiring of former Tennessee assistant […]
Football Recruiting Spotlight on Carson Goda
Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst
June 3, 2024
Illinois continued its late-offseason re-tooling when Division II tight end Carson Goda of St. Anselm College opted to join the orange and blue for his final season on eligibility. Goda is a 6'3, 225 pound receiving specialist who figures to aid in Illinois' schematic transition to an offense that spreads the field more and distributes to any of five receivers on a given play.
Illini LHP Cooper Omans Scratched from NCAA Lexington Regional with Arm Soreness
Illinois entered the 2024 Lexington Regional without consistent weekend starting pitcher Cooper Omans due to what was classified as arm soreness
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
June 2, 2024
LEXINGTON, Ky. — If Illinois was going to win the program’s first NCAA regional away from home, it was going to have to be without a key piece of its weekend starting pitching rotation.
Cooper Omans, a fifth-year senior left-hander, was scratched from this weekend due to what Illinois head coach Dan Hartleb called arm soreness.
Indiana State Blows Away Any Illini Comeback Hope in NCAA Lexington Regional; Illinois 2024 Season Ends With 13-2 Loss
Indiana State pounds Illini pitching for five extra-base hits […]
Kentucky Ace RHP Trey Pooser Neutralizes Illini Power; Illinois Faces Elimination Sunday
For only the second time in the 2024 season, Illinois was held without a single extra-base hit.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
June 1, 2024
LEXINGTON, Ky. — If Illinois plans to win the 2024 NCAA Lexington Regional, they’ll have to win three straight games to accomplish this feat. Facing the No. 2 overall seed in its own ballpark and seeing seven innings worth of its best starting pitcher was simply too much for Illinois to overcome Saturday in a 6-1 loss.
Illini Have Full Bullpen & Pitching Staff for Winners Bracket Matchup vs. Kentucky
Illinois needed only two pitchers Friday night to dispatch of Indiana State and Illini closer Joe Glassey is available again versus No. 2 overall seed Kentucky.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
June 1, 2024
LEXINGTON, Ky. — One game down and we’re all still waiting for the first pitching decision by Illinois head coach Dan Hartleb and/or interim pitching coach Cameron Hill in this NCAA Lexington Regional.
Following the 4-1 victory over Indiana State in the opening game of regional play, Hartleb arrived at his post-game media conference with a calmness and satisfaction of a man who hasn’t nearly played any of the cards in his deck needing to take the program to its first regional championship away from home.
‘He has responded’ - How Jack Crowder’s Roller Coaster Illini Career Led to His Magical NCAA Regional Moment
Jack Crowder arrived as a highly touted recruit, suffered severe setbacks and had to rededicate himself to his craft before having a career-defining outing in his NCAA regional debut.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
June 1, 2024
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Neither party in the player-head coach dynamic of Jack Crowder and Dan Hartleb would likely describe the past four-year University of Illinois experience as consistently pleasant.
While Friday night’s eight-inning gem of a performance easily represents the high point of Crowder’s collegiate career, that peak national stage moment didn’t come without more than one noticeable valley.
‘Big Ticket had his best stuff tonight’ - Crowder Pitches Illini to NCAA Regional Win
Illinois pitcher Jack Crowder becomes the first Illini pitcher in 24 years to finish eight innings in a NCAA regional start and get the win.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
May 31, 2024
LEXINGTON, Ky. — It’s very possible all that was needed was for Jack Crowder to get on a national platform.
In his first NCAA Regional start, the 21-year-old right-hander executed one of the better postseason pitching performances at Illinois in over two decades to lead the Illini to a 4-1 victory over Indiana State.
The Farrell Files Illinois - Visits Coming Up
Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys & Big Sports Radio National Football Recruiting Expert
May 31, 2024
(Mike Farrell also has his own website: https://mikefarrellsports.com/)
In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at some key official visits coming up over the next few weeks and Braylen Trimble’s new ranking.
An Inside Pitch: Illini Building Pitching & Bullpen Depth in Postseason Play
As Illinois enters the 2024 NCAA Lexington Regional Friday night, Illini coaches may have more reliable bullpen options than when they started the season four months ago.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
May 31, 2024
LEXINGTON, Ky. — For the better part of four months, the questions surrounding this Illinois baseball program have centered on the individuals inhabiting the pitching mound in the middle of the diamond.
Football Recruiting Spotlight on Kellen Francis
Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst
May 29, 2024
If you're a legitimate high major prospect that lives in the 217-area code or 309-area code, you should expect Brett Bielema to be a fast and frequent visitor to your front door. No sooner had Mt. Zion's Brayden Trimble pledge to the Illini last week than Princeville's Kellen Francis joins Kaeden Faegin, Aiden Laughery, Declan Duley, Mac Resetich, Mathew Bailey, Malichi Hood, Jordan Anderson and Hank Beatty as Central Illinois players to join the Orange and Blue.
The Farrell Files Illinois - Latest Commit, June Visitor & Franklin Decision Timeline
Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys & Big Sports Radio National Football Recruiting Expert
May 29, 2024
(Mike Farrell also has his own website: https://mikefarrellsports.com/)
In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at the latest commitment for the Illini, a June visitor with a connection to the Illini and a decision timetable for Zakhari Franklin.
No Mystery for Illini’s Opening Game Opponent in Lexington Regional
Illinois split a mid-week home-and-home series this season and have played Indiana State six times over the last three seasons.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
May 28, 2024
CHAMPAIGN — Scouting secrets aren’t likely to exist before Illinois head coach Dan Hartleb exchanges lineup cards at home plate this weekend in the opening game of the 2024 NCAA Lexington Regional. They’ve both done this before.
Illinois Adds More Depth at Tight End
Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
May 27, 2024
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois received a commitment on Labor Day from Carson Goda, a 6-foot-3, 225-pound tight end from Bradenton, FL. Goda, who has one season of eligibility remaining, is a Division II transfer from Saint Anselm College in Goffstown, NH.
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