Illini basketball coach Brad Underwood appears to have gotten his team back. A squad that looked completely lost after back to back embarrassments at the hands of Penn State and Mizzou, it very much appeared at the time that this season could be a lost one. Then came January 4th, with yet another disaster, this time at Northwestern. Off the heels of that loss, their worst in … [Read more...] about Illini Basketball Benefiting From Weakened Big Ten
Illinois Fighting Illini
Illini Football: Way Too Early Look at 2023 Season
Illini football far exceeded preseason expectations in 2022, as most prognosticators thought they would finish anywhere from fourth to sixth in the Big Ten West. The bookies certainly did not see Illinois winning eight games this past season. But next season, they are now on the board for national championship futures. Betting with a verde casino bonus, you can buy in to … [Read more...] about Illini Football: Way Too Early Look at 2023 Season
Reliaquest Bowl: Illinois vs #22 Mississippi St. Preview, Prediction
The Reliaquest Bowl seems to be a game that is befuddling the bookmakers. It's basically a pick-em, as we've seen the spread shift here and there a bit since the game was announced on December 4. According to the bookies, #22 Mississippi State Bulldogs are currently favored by one over the Illinois Fighting Illini, so this is truly anybody's ballgame. Not only should be it … [Read more...] about Reliaquest Bowl: Illinois vs #22 Mississippi St. Preview, Prediction
Illinois Fighting Illini: Bowl Game History Part 2/2: Major Bowls
Good morning college football and Illinois Fighting Illini fans. Just four more days until the Reliaquest Bowl kicks off in Tampa! This will be Illinois' 20th bowl appearance, and they are 8-11 in their previous 19 postseason games. We'll run all this down for you, in two parts, starting with the minor bowls, which we defined as non-traditionally on New Year's Day and/or … [Read more...] about Illinois Fighting Illini: Bowl Game History Part 2/2: Major Bowls
List of Illini, #22 Miss St. Reliaquest Bowl Opt-outs Piling Up
The theme for this year's Reliaquest Bowl (formerly the Outback Bowl) seems to be one of loss. Not just the shocking passing of former Mississippi State coach Mike Leach, a tragedy much bigger than football, but also the opt-outs. We all lose when all the star players out of bowl games, but you absolutely cannot blame the players for doing so. They are just looking out for … [Read more...] about List of Illini, #22 Miss St. Reliaquest Bowl Opt-outs Piling Up
Illinois Fighting Illini: Bowl Game History Part 1/2: Minor Bowls
Good morning college football and Illinois Fighting Illini fans. Just four more days until the Reliaquest Bowl kicks off in Tampa! This will be Illinois' 20th bowl appearance, and they are 8-11 in their previous 19 postseason games. We'll run all this down for you, in two parts, starting here with the minor bowls, which we defined as non-traditionally on New Year's Day … [Read more...] about Illinois Fighting Illini: Bowl Game History Part 1/2: Minor Bowls
What the Reliaquest Bowl Should do with the Stadium Pirate Ship
To paraphrase the Disney Chorus, from Pirates of the Caribbean, "yo ho, yo ho a pirate's Jan. 2 for me." And for everyone else who will be attending the Reliaquest Bowl, when #22 Mississippi State takes on Illinois in what was previously known as the Outback Bowl, and before that, the Hall of Fame. Of all the bowl games that are traditionally played on New Year's Day, this … [Read more...] about What the Reliaquest Bowl Should do with the Stadium Pirate Ship
Illini Basketball: Where are Defectors Jeremiah Tilmon, Mark Smith Now?
Tonight is the Braggin' Rights game, the annual meeting between interconference rivals Illinois and Missouri, in St. Louis, right before Christmas. Perhaps no one is more Mr. Braggin' Rights than Jeremiah Tilmon, who originally committed to Illinois, but ended up playing for Mizzou from 2017-2021. As yesterday was National Signing Day, for football, not basketball, the topic … [Read more...] about Illini Basketball: Where are Defectors Jeremiah Tilmon, Mark Smith Now?
Three Leading Illini Defensive Coordinator Candidates
Ryan Walters, who won a national award as Coordinator of the Year, has left the Illinois Fighting Illini football program to become the new head coach at Purdue. He becomes at least the seventh assistant under Bret Bielema to become a head coach at the FBS level, joining: Sam Pittman, Dave Doeren, Thomas Hammock, Paul Chryst, Chris Ash and Charlie Partridge. The Illini got a … [Read more...] about Three Leading Illini Defensive Coordinator Candidates
Kendall Gill Exclusive Part 3: Illini Recruiting, NCAA Tourney Woes
We conclude the three part Kendall Gill exclusive with a discussion of the Illini. We asked the Olympia Fields native and Rich Central HS alum what Illinois basketball needs to do to finally reach the sweet sixteen (and beyond) again. Following a second round blow-out loss to Houston last spring, Illinois is now 3-10 in their last 13 round of 32 games. … [Read more...] about Kendall Gill Exclusive Part 3: Illini Recruiting, NCAA Tourney Woes