When this Illini basketball team lost to UConn at Madison Square Garden on Black Friday, it was a game that didn't receive much hype. After all, it was an early tip-off on the day after Thanksgiving, on many people were more focused on food, shopping, holiday season activities and football than they were on basketball. And then the game itself lived down to the lack of hype, … [Read more...] about Illini Basketball Game Preview, Prediction: Final Four vs UConn
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Your Illini Basketball Final Four Bingo Card/Drinking Game
Without a doubt, the Illini basketball program won 2024 Big Ten Media Days with their Bingo card. You can view it in both in the photo above, and the tweet below. However, now it's Final Four time, and with that, time to up the ante. So your Illinois Bingo Card/Drinking game for Saturday night consists of: … [Read more...] about Your Illini Basketball Final Four Bingo Card/Drinking Game
Top Five University of Illinois Pop Culture References
The Final Four is here and now more than ever it's great to be an Illini! It's always good to be a University of Illinois fan, alumni, student etc. but right now, this is the moment. And by moment, we mean the time to list out the five greatest U of I references in recent pop culture history. And since we're doing a top five, and it's Final Four weekend, we'll list it out in … [Read more...] about Top Five University of Illinois Pop Culture References
Exclusive: Illini Forward David Mirkovic on Elevating His Game Through Victories
Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic is having one hell of a NCAA Tournament. In addition to averagin 16.7 ppg and 10.7 rpg this March Madness, the Niksic, Montenegro native provided one of the tourney's best soundbites/most memorable moment. Take a look below, and make your best guess as to what the "secret" is. … [Read more...] about Exclusive: Illini Forward David Mirkovic on Elevating His Game Through Victories
Brad Underwood ‘never doubted’ Illinois Would Get to a Final Four
"Living the dream" is a term that is certainly cliche, but it's also a wonderful reality for those who get to truly experience it. Illinois head coach Brad Underwood is one of the fortunate few for which this catchphrase is very real. Leading the Illini has been Underwood's dream job for a long time. During his days leading Stephen F. Austin, he told an assistant that … [Read more...] about Brad Underwood ‘never doubted’ Illinois Would Get to a Final Four
Deron Williams Waiting for Brad Underwood, Illini to get over March Madness Hump
With Illinois reaching the Final Four tonight, we re-post this interview of Deron Willliams, discussing about Brad Underwood. In the Illini nation, the opinion of Deron Williams will always hold sway. The greatest NBA player in Illini basketball history, or at least for the modern era, he is what you would call "a club legend." So his public endorsement of current Illini … [Read more...] about Deron Williams Waiting for Brad Underwood, Illini to get over March Madness Hump
Brad Underwood Makes Good on Orange Jump Suit Promise from September
It's time to re-post this article from September, now that the Illini are back in the Final Four, for the first time in 21 years. Back at the media opportunity during the football season opener, I asked Illini basketball coach Brad Underwood about recruiting the Balkans. In his response, he mentioned that an orange jump suit could be in the future. Today, Underwood delivered … [Read more...] about Brad Underwood Makes Good on Orange Jump Suit Promise from September
Michigan Forward Morez Johnson Set for Second Homecoming Tournament
Michigan power forward Morez Johnson is coming home, again. A native of suburban Riverdale, IL Johnson attended St. Rita, on the south side of the city, before transferring and then graduating from Thornton high school- where his coach was former NFL wide receiver and high school basketball star Tai Streets. After his high school career came to an end, he went to the … [Read more...] about Michigan Forward Morez Johnson Set for Second Homecoming Tournament
Kelvin Sampson and Six More All-Time Enemies of Illini Nation
Nothing like bringing up the all-time worst enemies of Illini Nation on a Monday morning when you're back at work, and the madness is over...for now. Don't worry, it ramps right up again in only three days. It's time for the #3 seed Illinois to face #2 seed Houston, led by head coach Kelvin Sampson, on Thursday night. The game will tip around 8 or 9 pm local, and it's taking … [Read more...] about Kelvin Sampson and Six More All-Time Enemies of Illini Nation
Exclusive: David Mirkovic Gets Candid on Differences Between NCAA and Montenegro Leagues
Freshman David Mirkovic is probably the best soundbite on this Illini basketball team. Although Jake Davis isn't too far behind. Mirkovic can often be blunt and colorful, which is very refreshing, given how sports media availability world is one where cliches and platitudes almost always rule. "If we lost today and I wasn't playing I would kill myself probably," Mirkovic … [Read more...] about Exclusive: David Mirkovic Gets Candid on Differences Between NCAA and Montenegro Leagues