Will Illini’s Lack of NCAA Tournament Experience Matter? We’re All About to Find Out

Illinois has three scholarship players on its active roster with NCAA Tournament participation experience as they prepare for a first round game against a highly-seasoned Xavier or Texas.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

CHAMPAIGN — In a sequence of back-to-back questions from local media, Illinois guard Kylan Boswell described the ideal and likely realistic way to handle NCAA Tournament nerves.

As the player on this Illini team with the most postseason playing experience in March, Boswell echoed the perfect talking points on Sunday in his local media session on the Ubben Basketball Complex practice floor that the . . .

 

Premium Members Only. Please Subscribe To View The Full Article

  • One-stop destination for Illini sports news, analysis and interactive contents.
  • Weekly podcasts including "Sturdy for 30" and "I on the Illini"
  • Illini Guys Zoom Calls" during games and special events
  • Special appearances by "Illini Legends" and other national sports personalities
  • Video breakdowns and game analysis
  • Owned, managed and run by diehard Illini fans for Illini fans everywhere

Podcasts

557 Sturdy & Stevens on the Keaton Wagler Game

Listen

556 Illini Defeat Purdue 88-82 in the Keaton Wagler Game

Listen

1.23.26 - Illinois vs Purdue - Top 15 Showdown

Listen

555 - CJ Moore Talks Keaton Wagler, the NBA Draft & Illini Tourney Expectations

Listen

554 - Illini Flush Terrapins 89-70 for 8th Win in a Row

Listen

553 Illini Beat Minnesota Winning Streak Up to 7

Listen

1.16.26 - Illini Hoops Update, Portal Kombat & CFP Future

Listen

552 - Illini Break 3-Game Losing Streak at Northwestern

Listen

551 Illini Road Win Over Iowa 75-69

Listen

1.9.26 - Portal Kombat, Illini Women & A'ja Wilson & Illini vs Iowa Coming Up

Listen

550 Illini Crush Rutgers 81-55

Listen

549 Illini Portal Kombat Wins with Steve Sturm

Listen

548 Illini Strangle Penn State 73-65

Listen

1.2.26 - Music City Champs, Basketball Rolling & Why the SEC is Overrated

Listen

547 Portal Kombat Day 1 & CFP Thoughts

Listen

Subscriber Testimonials:

"I am a member of three different paid sites, [but] I wanted to tell you that the collective insight from the leadership of this place is second to none.  
 
It is remarkable how often I feel like I know what is going to happen before it happens. I am so appreciative of the obvious hard work that you guys are giving ....
 
You guys, in a short time, have shown me that you are the best at what you do."
Join the conversation here!

Not a member? Join our mailing list:

© 2025 LMBC Sports, LLC. All rights reserved. 

Use of any part of this site constitutes express acceptance of the Site Terms. LMBC Sports, LLC, including its Illini Guys website, is an independent media organization, and is not affiliated with the University of Illinois.