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Illinois Fighting Illini

Brad Underwood Running Out of Time to Find Illini ‘nastiness’

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It's one-and-done for Brad Underwood and the #4 seed Illinois Fighting Illini in the Big Ten Tournament. The Illini blew a 15 point second half lead at the United Center, their home away from home, to lose 91-88 in overtime to the #5 seed Wisconsin Badgers. The result left them 0-4 in games that went into OT this season and 0-6 in games decided by five points or less. This … [Read more...] about Brad Underwood Running Out of Time to Find Illini ‘nastiness’

UCLA, Purdue, Northwestern, Illini Among Big Ten Tournament Storylines

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The final weekend of the college basketball regular season is upon us, and with it lots of seeding implications are still at stake. We're only five days away from the start of the Big Ten Tournament, which will be staged at the United Center in Chicago this year. So with that in mind, let's take a look at some of the major storylines heading into the BTT. Narratives abound with … [Read more...] about UCLA, Purdue, Northwestern, Illini Among Big Ten Tournament Storylines

#3 Michigan 84, #10 Illinois 70: Sights, Sounds, Notes, Quotes, Nuggets, Tidbits

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Tickets started at $300, in the secondary market for the #3 Michigan Wolverines 84-70 blowout of #10 Illinois, in their house tonight. No doubt lots and lots of people were paying up to $600, and maybe even $700 to be here tonight, for a game that was, simply put, much more lopsided than the final score indicated. Media wise, this affair got as much attention and interest as … [Read more...] about #3 Michigan 84, #10 Illinois 70: Sights, Sounds, Notes, Quotes, Nuggets, Tidbits

#3 Michigan Wolverines at #10 Illinois Fighting Illini Game Preview

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A couple weeks ago, Friday night's visit from the Michigan Wolverines looked like it might be the biggest Illini regular season game in a very long time. It was setting up to be the de facto Big Ten regular season title game, with a #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament at stake. However, now Michigan is no longer #1, having suffered a loss at Duke. But they have wrapped up the … [Read more...] about #3 Michigan Wolverines at #10 Illinois Fighting Illini Game Preview

Keaton Wagler Definitely in National Player of the Year Conversation

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Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler is so much more than a Big Ten Player of the Year candidate, or Freshman of the Year candidate. He's a National Player of the Year candidate. Yesterday saw Wagler named to the Wooden Award Late Midseason Top 20 Watch List, as annou ced by the Los Angeles Athletic Club. The 6-6 Shawnee, KS native is one of only two freshmen … [Read more...] about Keaton Wagler Definitely in National Player of the Year Conversation

Bret Bielema Has an $88,000 Super Bowl Ring

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As Super Bowl 60 approaches this Sunday, it's a good time to be reminded of the bodacious bling possessed by Illini Coach Bret Bielema. In addition to the Rose Bowl ring that he earned during his playing days (1990 Iowa Hawkeyes, Big Ten Co-Champions, who lost to Washington 46-34), he also has a ring Super Bowl ring. It's from Super Bowl LIII, when he served as the defensive … [Read more...] about Bret Bielema Has an $88,000 Super Bowl Ring

New Notre Dame DC Aaron Henry: 5 Worst and 5 Best Games at Illinois

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Aaron Henry is off to Notre Dame. He is now "former" Illinois Defensive Coordinator, and this change has made without the need of Illini head coach Bret Bielema having to fire anyone. Given how Henry is his crony, and a former player of his at the University of Wisconsin, it would have been an extremely difficult conversation. It is kind of like how Ohio State hired away … [Read more...] about New Notre Dame DC Aaron Henry: 5 Worst and 5 Best Games at Illinois

Updated Illini Basketball Postseason Resume After Keaton Wagler Clinic

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We all just witnessed history! Illini basketball has a superstar in the making in point guard Keaton Wagler. The electric freshman just achieved one of the greatest performances in college basketball history with 46 points (13-17 FG, 9-11 3PT, 11-13 FT) and four assists. Keaton Wagler broke many Illini basketball and NCAA records on Saturday. … [Read more...] about Updated Illini Basketball Postseason Resume After Keaton Wagler Clinic

Andrej Stojakovic Steps Up for Illini, in Place of Injured Kylan Boswell

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Kylan Boswell suffered a fractured right hand during Monday's practice session, leaving the Illinois Fighting Illini without the services of one of their best players until next month. Boswell brings so much to the table, not just scoring and leadership, but also defending. Obviously, someone needs to step up to fill the void for the Illini. Enter Andrej Stojakovic. Illini … [Read more...] about Andrej Stojakovic Steps Up for Illini, in Place of Injured Kylan Boswell