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Illinois analysis

Illini Return 18/22 Starters, Look Very Strong in 2025

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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

Illini Hoops All-Decade team

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By Paul M. Banks & Paul Schmidt of  The Sports Bank and Joe Kutsunis of Hail to the Orange, "Home of the Blogging Illini" When putting together an All Decade Team, our first effort was Nick Smith, at guard, forward, and center. Nick Smith all the way baby. So obviously someone spiked our Egg Nog with opium or something. Eventually we decided to take the job seriously and … [Read more...] about Illini Hoops All-Decade team

#20 Illini Fighting on in Las Vegas Invitational

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By Paul M. Banks It's Feast Week! When there's non-stop college basketball, so many games start at bizarre times. And not just because games are going on in obscure parts of the world in far away time zones. In order to accommodate the television coverage, some games start at...like this one starts at 8:30 pm. #20 Illinois vs. the Wofford Terriers in the second round of the … [Read more...] about #20 Illini Fighting on in Las Vegas Invitational

Press Box Live Blog: NU-ILL

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By Paul M. Banks and Paul Schmidt (PMB) Here we go, Land of Lincoln trophy on the line.... (PS) Illinois' offense looks anemic so far...great field position on their first two drives and no points to show for it. Jacob Charest has looked really, really sharp so far nice zip on his balls.  The problem still lies in my guy Matt Eller, who missed a chip shot field goal for a … [Read more...] about Press Box Live Blog: NU-ILL

Illini Ink Top 10 Recruiting Class

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By Paul M. Banks In case you missed it, today was "National Signing Day" for basketball. I totally understand if it's not on our your radar, because it's the day that we "officially" learn what we've already known for months, and sometimes years. We pretty much know where all the top recruits are going, but this is the day it becomes a contract. It just puts the notoriously … [Read more...] about Illini Ink Top 10 Recruiting Class

Meet your Illini Dominique Keller, Alex Legion

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By Paul M. Banks and Paul Schmidt Welcome to The Sports Bank.net YouTube Channel! We just launched what will now be our primary home for the first-class interviews we conduct with the biggest names in Midwestern sports. Please subscribe to TSB's channel by clicking here. We launch our channel with the first of our series of exclusive interviews with some of the #23 ranked … [Read more...] about Meet your Illini Dominique Keller, Alex Legion

Illinois’ Jon Asamoah Talks Tough About the Season, His NFL Future

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By Paul Schmidt The University of Illinois has had a challenging season. Everyone knows about the copious amount of talent on offense, but what might actually surprise some is that the top rated player, by position, by ESPN’s NFL draft guru Mel Kiper isn’t Arrelious Benn – it is offensive guard Jon Asamoah. Asamoah has been a three year starter for the team, and in fact … [Read more...] about Illinois’ Jon Asamoah Talks Tough About the Season, His NFL Future

Live! From the Press Box! It’s the Illini Football Exchange!!

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By Paul M. Banks and Paul Schmidt 10:30 AM - YAWN.  What in the world are you doing here now??  Even Red Grange Statue is still sleeping....and he stands on one leg!  In front of Memorial Stadium!!! Anyway, PB and I will be back here in roughly 4 hours bringing you all the news that's fit to print from the aforementioned Memorial Stadium, maybe with some campus stories … [Read more...] about Live! From the Press Box! It’s the Illini Football Exchange!!

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