As Super Bowl 59 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
illini
Ace Bailey Provides a Tough Task for Illini Defenders
Blue chip, five-star freshman Ace Bailey entered this season with with as much hype up as any one single player. Thus far, the Chattanooga, Tennessee native has delivered the goods, as he currently leads the Big Ten in scoring (top 10 nationally). So when the #23 Illinois Fighting Illini head to the RAC tonight, they'll have a tough assignment on their hands, … [Read more...] about Ace Bailey Provides a Tough Task for Illini Defenders
Illinois Basketball: Current NCAA Tournament Resume, Projections
Illinois basketball coach Brad Underwood has been great for the program, on a big picture level. He inherited a dumpster fire from John Groce, and within three-to-four years he had the Illini nationally relevant again. And overall, Illinois basketball is in a great place. Credit Athletic Director Josh Whitman on this hire. However, every season of the Underwood era, or so it … [Read more...] about Illinois Basketball: Current NCAA Tournament Resume, Projections
Illini Football: Very Early 2025 Season Preview
With 18 of 22 starters returning, Illini football should be special in 2025. Winning ten games, including the Citrus Bowl, has put the program back up at a level relevance that hasn't been seen since 2001. And perhaps most importantly, the Illini have done it by finding and maintaining an identity. Defensive Coordinator Aaron Henry has perfectly articulated the Illini … [Read more...] about Illini Football: Very Early 2025 Season Preview
Illini Return 18/22 Starters, Look Very Strong in 2025
Is 2025 going to be the year that the Illinois Fighting Illini football program finally starts stacking winning seasons? It certainly looks that way on paper. And while there was obvious cause for optimism in 2000, 2002, 2008 and 2023 (four seasons that followed major program breakthroughs), it just didn't work out that way, and all four of those years were mere five-in … [Read more...] about Illini Return 18/22 Starters, Look Very Strong in 2025
Hank Beatty Could Become the Illini WR1 Next Season
One of the biggest benefits of bowl games is that they provide a glimpse into what is to come the next season. With every bowl game opt-out, a new opportunity is presented for someone else to step in and fill that void. And most of the time it's somebody who will then take on a greater role within the team during the next season. Illinois wide receiver Hank Beatty is a … [Read more...] about Hank Beatty Could Become the Illini WR1 Next Season
Illini Citrus Bowl Win Broke Program Barriers, Set New Milestones
Believe it or not, the Citrus Bowl includes a college football game- it's not just an infomercial for cheese-flavored crackers. It was one hell of a ballgame too as the #20 Illinois Fighting Illini came in as 10 pt. underdogs and upset #15 South Carolina 21-17, marking the school's first ever win over a SEC team! It was also the first win for the Illini in a traditionally … [Read more...] about Illini Citrus Bowl Win Broke Program Barriers, Set New Milestones
Illini vs South Carolina: Citrus Bowl News, Notes, Nuggets, Tidbits
Happy Citrus Bowl Eve to all who celebrate! Today saw the Illinois Fighting Illini and the South Carolina Gamecocks complete their pregame walk-throughs, as Citrus Bowl practices completed. So with that, let's get to the highlights of the final two days preceding the game. … [Read more...] about Illini vs South Carolina: Citrus Bowl News, Notes, Nuggets, Tidbits
2024 Illini Football vs the 2022 Team: Who’s Better and Why
It is quite common, within the world of sports, to feel that the status quo will never change for the better. Until one day it finally does, and then that one long-awaited breakthrough leads to a new standard, and with that, a new ceiling. You saw that with the 2022 Illini football team, which was Bret Bielema's second year in charge of the program. That team laid the … [Read more...] about 2024 Illini Football vs the 2022 Team: Who’s Better and Why
#20 Illinois Fighting Illini vs #15 South Carolina Gamecocks: Citrus Bowl Preview
When the 2024 Citrus Bowl, featuring the #15 South Carolina Gamecocks vs the #20 Illinois Fighting Illini kicks off on Tuesday, it will be a bowl game where both sides will be near full strength. Lots of stars in both offensive backfields will be taking part, as this is a game with very few major opt-outs. Although it is worth noting that both sides will be without their … [Read more...] about #20 Illinois Fighting Illini vs #15 South Carolina Gamecocks: Citrus Bowl Preview