Writing Illini Mar 21, 2023
Illinois Basketball: Illini targeting Big Ten forward in transfer portal
The transfer portal craziness has begun for the Illinois basketball program, as we have been in contact with a high-level Big Ten talent Over the last few years, the Illini have been able to land some solid transfers in the portal. We snagged Jacob Grandison, who helped the program get back to the NCAA tournament. […] Illinois Basketball: Illini targeting Big Ten forward in transfer portal - Writing Illini - Writing Illini - An Illinois Fighting Illini Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more.
Writing Illini Mar 20, 2023
Illinois Basketball: Illini need to build around, not over, talent in the transfer portal
Illinois basketball is in a weird place as a program right now thanks to the transfer portal. You could probably utter this statement for a vast majority of teams in the college game, but the Illini just finished up what I would consider one of the strangest campaigns in recent memory. I understand the concept […] Illinois Basketball: Illini need to build around, not over, talent in the transfer portal - Writing Illini - Writing Illini - An Illinois Fighting Illini Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more.
The Champaign Room Mar 18, 2023
‘Simple mistakes’: Illini disappointed by season-ending loss
Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports No more Illini basketball until November. DES MOINES, Iowa — More of the same. The cold, sloppy, miserable conditions outside Wells Fargo Arena mimicked the conditions inside, as the the 9-seed Illinois Fighting Illini (20-13, 11-9 B1G) fell to the 8-seed Arkansas Razorbacks, 73-63, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday. Illinois got off to a sluggish start — what a shocker! — shooting 8-for-29 (27.6%) and committing nine turnovers, allowing Arkansas to open up a 36-26 halftime lead. And, yet again, Illinois seemed...
Writing Illini Mar 17, 2023
Illinois Basketball: Early projected Illini lineup for the 2023-24 season
This past season for the Illinois basketball program was one of the weirdest campaigns I have ever watched. It didn’t look like the Illini were having much fun on the court, and the quality of play was up and down. Now that the season is over, it is time to take an early look at […] Illinois Basketball: Early projected Illini lineup for the 2023-24 season - Writing Illini - Writing Illini - An Illinois Fighting Illini Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more.
Writing Illini Mar 16, 2023
Illinois Basketball: 14-0 run ends Illini’s season against Arkansas
Arkansas ended the Illinois basketball postseason run in the blink of an eye on Thursday night. With the score 41-36 early in the second half, the Illini seemed to have a fighting chance in its opening-round NCAA tournament game against Arkansas. Then, all of a sudden, a 14-0 from the Razorbacks ensued. Minus a late rally […] Illinois Basketball: 14-0 run ends Illini’s season against Arkansas - Writing Illini - Writing Illini - An Illinois Fighting Illini Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more.
The Champaign Room Mar 16, 2023
Illinois’ rally comes up short against Arkansas
Photo by Michael Reaves/ The Illini end their season in typical fashion. DES MOINES, Iowa — They almost did it again. Thirty minutes into Thursday’s game, the Illini found themselves in familiar territory. Turnovers aplenty and horrid shooting put Illinois in a 17-point hole midway through the second half. However, when facing a seemingly insurmountable lead, the Illini did what they’ve done countless times this season: fight back. Led by RJ Melendez’s 10-point burst, they cut the lead down to five with just over two minutes left. Coleman Hawkins led the fast...
Writing Illini Mar 16, 2023
Illinois Basketball: 5 observations from the Illini loss to Arkansas
And just like that, the Illinois basketball season is over after playing one round of the NCAA tournament. It doesn’t even feel like the game has started yet. The Illini took a quick 2-0 lead, but then Arkansas started punching. Within minutes, Illinois had already dug into a hole and couldn’t manage to climb out. […] Illinois Basketball: 5 observations from the Illini loss to Arkansas - Writing Illini - Writing Illini - An Illinois Fighting Illini Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more.
Writing Illini Mar 16, 2023
Illinois Basketball: Brad Underwood confident entering NCAA Tournament
Brad Underwood will look to start Illinois’ NCAA Tournament quest on the right foot against Arkansas on Thursday in Des Moines, Iowa. When Underwood was hired in 2017, he came to Champaign with a vision to make the NCAA tournament consistently, win championships, and make Illinois basketball relevant nationally. Although the Illini have not secured […] Illinois Basketball: Brad Underwood confident entering NCAA Tournament - Writing Illini - Writing Illini - An Illinois Fighting Illini Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more.
Writing Illini Mar 16, 2023
Illinois Fans! Bet $25, Win $400 With Exclusive DraftKings + FanDuel Promo
You might have to sweat out today’s First Round game against Arkansas, but you won’t have to worry about winning money on the game if you take advantage of two new-user sportsbook offers. DraftKings and FanDuel sportsbook are offering Illini fans a low-risk opportunity to build their bankrolls: bet a combined $25 on today’s game, […] Illinois Fans! Bet $25, Win $400 With Exclusive DraftKings + FanDuel Promo - Writing Illini - Writing Illini - An Illinois Fighting Illini Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more.
The Champaign Room Mar 16, 2023
How to Watch Illinois vs. Arkansas: Game Time, TV Channel, Online Streaming & Odds
Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/ It’s NCAA Tournament gameday! How to Watch No. 9 Illinois vs. No. 8 Arkansas (NCAA Tournament Round of 64) Game time: ~3:30 p.m. You can sign up for SlingTV to get access to watch all March Madness games. — Click here to learn more! TV Channel: TBS Online Streaming: March Madness Live Radio: All Illinois basketball games air live on radio in the Champaign (WDWS-AM 1400) and Chicago (WLS-AM 890) markets. The game will also be broadcasted on other networks throughout the state; check the Fighting Illini Radio Network for more...
Writing Illini Mar 15, 2023
Illinois Basketball: 5 keys for the Illini to beat the Arkansas Razorbacks
A new season starts on Thursday, as the Illinois basketball team looks to make a run in the NCAA tournament. The Illini enters the Big Dance with whatever the antonym of momentum is. Losing two in a row, three out of the past four, and six out of the past 10 games is not a […] Illinois Basketball: 5 keys for the Illini to beat the Arkansas Razorbacks - Writing Illini - Writing Illini - An Illinois Fighting Illini Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more.
Writing Illini Mar 15, 2023
Illinois basketball: What stands in the way of the Illini getting to the national title
The time has come. The moment we’ve all been anxiously awaiting. March Madness is finally here and the Illinois basketball team is a part of the chaos. After about nearly a decade of disappointment, the Illini heard its name called on Selection Sunday for the third year in a row, drawing the No. 9 […] Illinois basketball: What stands in the way of the Illini getting to the national title - Writing Illini - Writing Illini - An Illinois Fighting Illini Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more.
The Champaign Room Mar 15, 2023
How to watch Illinois in the First Four
Photo by David Berding/ The Illini are back in the NCAA Tournament. How to Watch Illinois vs. Mississippi State (NCAA Tournament First Four) Game time: 6 p.m. Location: South Bend, Indiana TV Channel: ESPNU Online Streaming: WatchESPN Radio: All Illinois basketball games air live on radio in the Champaign (WDWS-AM 1400) and Chicago (WLS-AM 890) markets. The game will also be broadcasted on other networks throughout the state; check the Fighting Illini Radio Network for more information. Odds: N/A What’s At Stake: Winner Earns No. 11 seed in region, faces No. 6...
The Champaign Room Mar 14, 2023
Illinois wrestling sending 5 to NCAA Championships
The Illini improve on last year’s number. Men’s and women’s basketball aren’t the only NCAA tournaments being contested by Fighting Illini this week. The #23-ranked Fighting Illini wrestling team will have entries at five of the 10 weight classes in the NCAA Championships that start on Thursday and wrap up Saturday night. Despite a disappointing 10th-place finish at the Big Ten Wrestling Championships the first weekend of March, Illinois qualified one more wrestler for NCAA’s than they did last year. Qualifying for NCAA Championships Qualifying for the NCAA...
The Champaign Room Mar 14, 2023
Can the Illini exorcize their demons?
Photo by Quinn Harris/ A first-round matchup against Musselman’s Muscle Men is a huge challenge for the reeling Illini. Selection Sunday is always one of those days that brings the rare combination of hope, dread, nostalgia, and confusion. As my colleagues have pointed out, this team has been predictably unpredictable all season. Roller coaster isn’t a strong enough term. Ebbs and flows poorly define the level of tennis match on speed rubbernecking performed by Illini fans in following and comprehending the 2023 Men’s Fighting Illini hoops squad. “Your...
