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Will Riley: Illini Basketball Inks Their Highest Rated Recruit Ever

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In Will Riley, Illinois may have their men's basketball version of Chase Brown. By that we mean a Canadian import who totally changes the game for them in a revenue sport.  Will Riley is the Illini basketball program's highest ranked recruit of all-time. If that sounds like hyperbole, you have to remember that recruiting services have only been around a few decades or so. … [Read more...] about Will Riley: Illini Basketball Inks Their Highest Rated Recruit Ever

Puppy Crawl: Greatest Halftime Show Ever

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When it comes to Puppy Crawl, you can have a debate about it. That debate is: "was is is the greatest halftime show in Big Ten Tournament history? Or "was it the greatest halftime show in basketball history?" One can't say a lot good things about how the Illinois Fighting Illini played last night, in their 2023 Big Ten Tournament loss to Penn State. (We already covered that … [Read more...] about Puppy Crawl: Greatest Halftime Show Ever

Terrence Shannon Jr. to Stand Trial for Rape on June 10

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Per the ruling of a Kansas judge, at a preliminary hearing earlier today, the well-publicized case of former Illinois star Terrence Shannon Jr. will go to trial on June 10. On that date, he will be tried on charges of first-degree felony rape and felony sexual aggravated battery. The legal team of Terrence Shannon Jr. released a statement in response. … [Read more...] about Terrence Shannon Jr. to Stand Trial for Rape on June 10

Overseas Basketball Tryouts; A Gateway to Unconventional Success

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In basketball's fiercely competitive world, professional leagues typically favor players with impressive credentials, stats, and collegiate or international experience. However, overseas basketball tryouts offer a distinct advantage for those outside this mold—a platform to showcase raw talent and bypass traditional barriers, opening doors that might otherwise remain closed. … [Read more...] about Overseas Basketball Tryouts; A Gateway to Unconventional Success

Exclusive: Illini AHC Orlando Antigua on His Mentor John Calipari

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With the official announcement yesterday of Assistant Coach Orlando Antigua returning to Illini Basketball, as the new Associate Head Coach, we now re-publish our two part exclusive with him, from 2017 Media Day. Part one can be found here If you have not seen the John Calipari ESPN 30 for 30 film ”One and Not Done." I strongly suggest you check it out.  “I thought they did a … [Read more...] about Exclusive: Illini AHC Orlando Antigua on His Mentor John Calipari

Exclusive: Illini Asst Orlando Antigua on Being a Harlem Globetrotter

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With the official announcement yesterday of Assistant Coach Orlando Antigua returning to Illini Basketball, we now re-publish our two part exclusive with him, from 2017 Media Day.  In the world of Illini basketball recruiting, Illinois Assistant Coach Orlando Antigua has as much juice as just about anyone. We asked Antigua his thoughts about the recent explosion in recruiting … [Read more...] about Exclusive: Illini Asst Orlando Antigua on Being a Harlem Globetrotter

Northwestern Basketball Will Remain Relevant in 2025: Berry, Nicholson Returning

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It's very safe to say that Northwestern basketball has turned the corner as a program now. You can thank a whole team effort for that, but most of the credit goes to head coach Chris Collins, and then of course, Boo Buie, the program G.O.A.T. He'll take his spot in the program pantheon for eternity now. But with official word today that both Ty Berry and Matthew Nicholson … [Read more...] about Northwestern Basketball Will Remain Relevant in 2025: Berry, Nicholson Returning

Zach Edey Continuing Purdue Tradition of Supreme Alpha Dogs

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This season, Purdue center Zach Edey is looking to become the first consensus, back-to-back National Player of the Year since UCLA (and Deadhead Nation)'s Bill Walton did it in 1971-72 and 1972-73. Virginia's Ralph Sampson achieved this honor during a three season span, from 1981 to 1983, but was only named consensus NPOY in 1982. He was named a 2023 first-team preseason … [Read more...] about Zach Edey Continuing Purdue Tradition of Supreme Alpha Dogs

Ten of the Worst Illini Basketball Losses of All-Times

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Occasionally, something that was truly great ends in a horribly awful manner. See The Sopranos or Seinfeld. The 2023-24 Illini basketball season was one for the ages. They ended the second weekend of March Madness drought, and then went one level past that. They claimed a trophy (Big Ten Tournament) and actually beat a higher seed in the NCAA Tournament. Plus, Booty Ball was … [Read more...] about Ten of the Worst Illini Basketball Losses of All-Times