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Illinois Fighting Illini

USC Trojans QB, WRs a Big Challenge for Banged Up Illini Secondary

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USC Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava is the nation’s highest rated passer. He’s also currently sixth in passing yards and second in yards-per-attempt. He leads an attack that is third nationally in total offense and fifth in scoring. USC Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon is fourth nationally in receiving yards, and Illinois must find a way to make him into lemonade on … [Read more...] about USC Trojans QB, WRs a Big Challenge for Banged Up Illini Secondary

#21 USC Trojans at #23 Illinois Fighting Illini Preview, Prediction 

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Illinois is one of several schools that claim to have "invented" the homecoming tradition. Nothing says autumn like a homecoming or "HoCo" as the kids call it these days, football game. The #23 Illini will welcome in the #21 USC Trojans for the homecoming clash, one that totally changed in complexion last weekend. … [Read more...] about #21 USC Trojans at #23 Illinois Fighting Illini Preview, Prediction 

Deron Williams Waiting for Brad Underwood, Illini to get over March Madness Hump

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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 basketball head coach Brad Underwood matters, a lot. … [Read more...] about Deron Williams Waiting for Brad Underwood, Illini to get over March Madness Hump

#8 Illinois Fighting Illini at #17 Indiana Hoosiers Game Preview, Prediction

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The Indiana Hoosiers versus the Illinois Fighting Illini, wow, what a great men's basketball game this will be! Oh wait, hold on, this is actually football! What a time to be alive! Illinois and Indiana are playing a football game where they both have numbers next to their names. I'm old enough to remember a time where not every single college football game was televised, and … [Read more...] about #8 Illinois Fighting Illini at #17 Indiana Hoosiers Game Preview, Prediction

Mihailo Petrovic ‘big piece of the puzzle,’ says Brad Underwood

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It took awhile, but Illinois Fighting Illini point guard Mihailo Petrovic is on campus. He arrived from Prokuplje, Serbia to Champaign, IL on August 25th, and once the season gets started, we'll see why he's worth the wait. "I felt pretty good because there were some things that just took time, and time was the only cure for it," Illini basketball coach Brad Underwood said … [Read more...] about Mihailo Petrovic ‘big piece of the puzzle,’ says Brad Underwood

Illini Football Hasn’t Been This Good in a Quarter-Century

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Yesterday saw the Illini get their first non-conference road win over a power four conference team since 2007 (Syracuse 41-20). While they entered as favorites by a slim margin (-2.5) at Duke, they won by a resounding 26 point margin (45-19). As such, they moved up two spots to #9 in the AP poll, which marks the program's highest ranking since December of 2001. It's worth … [Read more...] about Illini Football Hasn’t Been This Good in a Quarter-Century

Bruce Weber Tells Craziest Illini Fan Story of All-Time

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Bruce Weber coached the 2004-2005 Illinois basketball team to a Big Ten championship, Big Ten Tournament championship and a berth in the Final Four. Arguably the greatest team in Illini history, they went 51-4 in the Big Ten over a two year span. The '04-'05 team, which saw 80% of their field goals come on assists, advanced all the way to the National Championship game, … [Read more...] about Bruce Weber Tells Craziest Illini Fan Story of All-Time

Hank Beatty Establishes Himself as Illinois #1 Wide Receiver

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As we wrote, shortly after the Citrus Bowl win on New Year's Eve 2024, Hank Beatty was poised to become the Illinois Fighting Illini WR1. That prediction came to fruition as Beatty had 100 receiving yards by halftime of the Illini trouncing of Western Illinois last night. Beatty finished with five catches for 108 yards including a career best (tied) 59-yard grab. And while … [Read more...] about Hank Beatty Establishes Himself as Illinois #1 Wide Receiver

#12 Illini Football vs Western Illinois Leathernecks Game Preview

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It is the most anticipated Illinois Fighting Illini football season in a generation, and it begins Friday, at home, against FCS opponent Western Illinois. The wait is finally nearing an end! Last year, this Illini football team doubled their win total (from 5 in 2023 to 10 in 2024) from over the previous season. So how did they do it? … [Read more...] about #12 Illini Football vs Western Illinois Leathernecks Game Preview