Welcome to the first edition of our 2024 NBA Mock Draft! The Sports Bank is the only independently-owned, mom and pop shop website to do a mock draft for all four of the major North American sports. And while most mock drafts don't fill out player descriptions, we do. For those that don't have descriptions now, they will added soon. … [Read more...] about 2024 NBA Mock Draft Version 1.0
Illinois Fighting Illini
Terrence Shannon Jr: Full Story of His Tumultuous Season
Terrence Shannon Jr. and the #12 Illinois Fighting Illini open their NCAA tournament against Morehead State at 2:10 p.m. central time in Omaha, Nebraska on Thursday. Tom McCarthy, Debbie Antonelli, Avery Johnson and AJ Ross will be on the call. The Illini are the #3 seed in their region, with MSU the #14. Illinois comes into this game having won eight of their last nine, … [Read more...] about Terrence Shannon Jr: Full Story of His Tumultuous Season
Booty Ball: Illini Coach Brad Underwood Innovates Again
In the words of legendary American poet Bubba Sparxx: Booty, booty, booty, booty, rockin' everywhere. Booty, booty, booty, booty, rockin' everywhere.' Booty ball is a phrase coined by Illini basketball coach Brad Underwood, and hey, once again, the University of Illinois is at the forefront of innovation. After all, this is the university where the web browser was invented, … [Read more...] about Booty Ball: Illini Coach Brad Underwood Innovates Again
Illini Basketball Big Ten Tournament History
The Illini basketball program will always hold a special distinction when it comes to the Big Ten Tournament. From the event's inception, in 1998, all the way until 2012, they either advanced to or qualified into the quarterfinal round. No one else can say that. In fact, there have only been six Big Ten Tournaments in which the Illini didn't play in a quarterfinal (2015, … [Read more...] about Illini Basketball Big Ten Tournament History
Complete Illini NCAA Tournament History for Millenials
Next week will see the Illini will be making their 34th overall NCAA Tournament appearance, and fourth in a row following an 8-year drought. The Illini own an all-time NCAA Tournament record of 42-34. We'll know their March Madness destination, opponent and tip-off time Sunday evening. As a Xennial, Half Gen-X/Half millenial, Oregon Trail generation member, my Illini fandom … [Read more...] about Complete Illini NCAA Tournament History for Millenials
U of I Releases New Statement on Terrence Shannon Jr, Brad Underwood
Ahead of tonight's Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball game at Northwestern (game preview and prediction here), the University released an official statement on the status of Terrence Shannon Jr., and the role that head coach Brad Underwood has/has had in all of this. The gist of it seems to be two things: "Shannon is involved in an ongoing legal case, so we can't … [Read more...] about U of I Releases New Statement on Terrence Shannon Jr, Brad Underwood
Illini Basketball at Northwestern Wildcats Game Preview, Prediction
Terrence Shannon Jr. is one of the biggest national stories in not just college basketball, but sports as a whole right now. Charged with rape in the state of Kansas, this Illini basketball team's leading scorer and overall best player was suspended indefinitely by the school. However, he filed a temporary restraining order against the University, and the judge ruled in his … [Read more...] about Illini Basketball at Northwestern Wildcats Game Preview, Prediction
Terrence Shannon Jr Reinstated; Will Brad Underwood Play Him Sunday?
Due to a court order that went in his favor, Terrence Shannon Jr. is now officially reinstated to the University of Illinois. Effective immediately, the Illini men's basketball leading scorer and All-American candidate is eligible to both practice and play. He had been indefinitely suspended since Dec. 27, having been charged with the crime of rape in the state of Kansas. That … [Read more...] about Terrence Shannon Jr Reinstated; Will Brad Underwood Play Him Sunday?