6:10 PM EDT, Thu March 28, 2024
Mar 22, 2024
Illinois vs. Duquesne: Betting odds, spread, moneyline and more for 2024 NCAA Tournament

Illinois vs. Duquesne: Betting odds, spread, moneyline and more for 2024 NCAA Tournament

Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports Big favorites. Illinois, the 2024 Big Ten Tournament champions and winners in the Round of 64, are one win away from a Sweet 16 berth — and the Illini are big favorites for their Round of 32 game on Saturday. The Illini are staying in Omaha this weekend, where they will face No. 11 Duquesne (of the Atlantic 10). According to DraftKings’ opening line on Thursday night, the Illini are 8.5-point favorites. (Odds/lines are subject to change. T&Cs apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for details.) Other betting info: DraftKings’...
Mar 22, 2024
Everything you need to know about the team standing between Illinois and a Sweet 16

Everything you need to know about the team standing between Illinois and a Sweet 16

TCR // Jack Jungmann Du-cane. It’d be harsh to blame you if you knew little to nothing about Morehead State before Illinois’ 16-point victory on Thursday. With the TSJ and Dain Dainja-inspired Illini escaping the Ohio Valley Conference champs, it’s time to look into another mid-major conference champ that you, in all likeliness, know little about. The Illini will take on the Duquesne Dukes in the NCAA tournament's round of 32. TCR spoke with Tristan Freeman, a self-proclaimed basketball junkie from Pittsburgh (where Duquesne is located) to get the know-how on...
Mar 22, 2024
If you don’t believe in ghosts, they can’t haunt you

If you don’t believe in ghosts, they can’t haunt you

Photo by Jamie Squire/ The Illini continued their second half dominance in Omaha. The Fighting Illini shook off a slow start to score a victory. Stop me if you’ve heard that one before. The win was a convincing 85-69 win over Morehead State on Thursday. It sets up a 3-11 matchup on Saturday against upstart Duquesne. Coming off the heels of media luminary (and my personal media hero) Michael Wilbon predicting a Natty for the Beloved on Pardon the Interruption, the Illini sit five victories away from doing just that. Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via ...
Mar 21, 2024
Illinois overcomes double digit deficit to advance past first round of WBIT

Illinois overcomes double digit deficit to advance past first round of WBIT

TCR // David Pollak Makira Cook COOKED on Senior Night Pt. 2 CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois’ season stays alive. Just a couple weeks removed from their Senior Night, Illinois earned a WBIT bid and with it an opportunity to snatch another victory in what could have been the last stand for its seniors at State Farm Center. Led by one of their best seniors, the Illini battled back from a double-digit deficit to take down Missouri State in the first round of the Women’s Basketball Invitational Tournament, 74-69. On Senior Night part two, the Illini earned a...
Mar 21, 2024
Illinois’ Marcus Domask just joined ELITE company

Illinois’ Marcus Domask just joined ELITE company

Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports Unbelievable. It needed its own article — that’s how impressive it is. Marcus Domask became just the 10th player EVER to have a triple-double in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. The 10th EVER triple-double in @MarchMadnessMBB tourney history belongs to @IlliniMBB’s Marcus Domask. pic.twitter.com/r3O1Q6pMU0— Big Ten Men's Basketball (@B1GMBBall) March 21, 2024 Domask wasn’t overly flashy in the Illini’s 85-69 win over No. 14 Morehead State; hell, he didn’t even have a good first half (1-of-5 shooting at the...
Mar 21, 2024
Big second half leads Illinois to Round of 64 victory over Morehead State

Big second half leads Illinois to Round of 64 victory over Morehead State

Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports The Illini will face Duquesne on Saturday in the second round. OMAHA, Neb. — Survive and advance. That’s the motto of March. And Illinois was in upset trouble for about the first 25 minutes of the game. But, a huge second half guided the East Region’s No. 3 seed past 14th-seed Morehead State Thursday at CHI Health Center 85-69. That being said, it was expected that Illinois — who came in as 11.5-point favorites — shouldn't have too much of a problem in this one. That was certainly not the case for a while. The game was tied...
Mar 20, 2024
The Illini are due for a second weekend appearance

The Illini are due for a second weekend appearance

TCR // David Pollak It’s time to make a run. We’re due. Yes, WE are due for a tournament run. This almost two-decade long Sweet Sixteen drought has been more painful for the fans than anyone else. Players and coaches come and go, but the loyal fans have been around through it all. I was four months old the last time Illinois played in a Sweet Sixteen game. If Illinois can make the second weekend this year, I’ll be watching the game from my dorm room in Champaign. Actually, I might fly to Boston to witness history in person. I’ve been spending a lot of time on...
Mar 20, 2024
Illinois has the ingredients for a deep tournament run

Illinois has the ingredients for a deep tournament run

Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports The Illini can go deep in this tournament. Here’s why. It’s time. An NCAA Tournament bracket sits in front of us. For the fourth straight year, Illinois sits on one of the lines. With our hearts, we want to take the Illini all the way, but our brains begin to question just how far the orange and blue can truly advance. This year’s Illini squad is particularly hard to pinpoint. On one hand, Illinois is fresh off a Big Ten Tournament championship that featured some of its best basketball of the season. The Illini have a bonafide...
Mar 20, 2024
How To Watch No. 3 Illinois vs. No. 14 Morehead State: Game Time, TV Channel, Online Streaming and Odds

How To Watch No. 3 Illinois vs. No. 14 Morehead State: Game Time, TV Channel, Online Streaming and Odds

TCR // David Pollak Six wins to go. How to Watch No. 3 Illinois vs. No. 14 Morehead State (NCAA Tournament Round of 64) Game Time: 2:10 p.m. TV Channel: truTV Online Streaming: March Madness Live Location: CHI Health Center (Omaha, NE) 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: ILL -11.5, O/U 148 (according to DraftKings - Odds/lines are subject to...
Mar 19, 2024
Illinois’ odds to make the 2024 Final Four

Illinois’ odds to make the 2024 Final Four

Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports The Illini have the fourth-highest odds in the region. We’ve had a lot of coverage this week on Illinois’ Big Ten Tournament championship — but let’s start looking ahead. Like wayyyyyyy ahead. We all know Illinois has to make the Sweet 16, because it’s been two decades and Brad Underwood has the get the monkey off his back. But let’s focus on the Final Four — and the odds for everyone in the Illini’s Region of Death. Illinois’ path starts against Morehead State on Thursday, where the Illini are double-digit favorites...
Mar 19, 2024
Terrence Shannon Jr. named to AP All-America Third Team

Terrence Shannon Jr. named to AP All-America Third Team

Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports Another honor for TSJ. Fresh off a historic weekend at the Big Ten Tournament, Terrence Shannon Jr. is picking up more accolades. Illinois’ star guard was named Tuesday to the Associated Press All-America Third-Team. AP Third-Team All-America Johni Broome Jaedon LeDee Baylor Scheierman Terrence Shannon Jr. Caleb Love pic.twitter.com/NWoBUIad9E— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 19, 2024 Shannon averaged 23 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists this season. He was suspended for six games starting in late December...
Mar 19, 2024
Everything you need to know about Illinois’ first-round opponent

Everything you need to know about Illinois’ first-round opponent

Morehead isn’t a state. It’s not your fault if you don’t know who the Morehead State Eagles are, so here’s a shot at getting you familiar with the Eagles. They finished the season 26-8, the same record as Illinois, and clinched the Ohio Valley Conference’s lone bid by winning the tournament as the No. 3 seed. Preston Spradlin has led his program to four straight 20-win seasons for the first time in school history. The Eagles’ 26 wins are also a program-record. They’ve done all that without Mark Freeman, the reigning OVC Player of the Year and Preseason Player...
Mar 19, 2024
Illinois did what we all thought it could do

Illinois did what we all thought it could do

Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports Box checked. TCR Contributor CJ Jackson is a former member of the Illinois Basketball team, playing for the Illini from 2005-09. What is left for anybody to say? I’ve been talking all season about how special this Illini team can be. From the very early beginnings of beating then-No. 1 Kansas in the preseason exhibition to playing top 10 teams down to the last possession. This Illini team has risen up to its expectations and come home with some well deserved hardware. Round of applause for our champions! Regular Season Highs and...
Mar 19, 2024
We can only hope the Big Dance is as much fun as the Big Ten Tournament

We can only hope the Big Dance is as much fun as the Big Ten Tournament

TCR // David Pollak We break down Illinois’ bracket and review TSJ’s record-setting performance this weekend. On this episode of the ‘Oskee Talk’ podcast, I’m joined by TCR’s Pleas Honeywood & Brandt Dolce to recap Terrence Shannon Jr.’s epic output in the Big Ten Tournament (3:38), preview Illinois’ opening matchup in the Big Dance (35:36), and our expectations for March Madness (42:55). Make sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! Click HERE to listen.
Mar 18, 2024
Illinois elevates Thad Ward to assistant head coach

Illinois elevates Thad Ward to assistant head coach

Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via A promotion for the running backs coach. Ahead of the start of spring practices on Tuesday, Illinois elevated Thad Ward to assistant head coach and running backs coach. Ward is in his fifth season in Champaign. He returned to the university last season after spending three years under Lovie Smith’s staff from 2016-18. “Thad has been impressive since the day he arrived in the building,” said head coach Bret Bielema in a statement. “Over the last year, I’ve seen him grow in many aspects. He will take on a larger...