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The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini

The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini

The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini

The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini

Senior Quarterback Brandon Peters scans the field as the offensive line protects him during the match against Akron on Sep. 14, 2019.Peters will be returning to Illinois for one more season.

Quarterback Brandon Peters returns to Illini

By Jackson Janes, Assistant Sports Editor Dec 29, 2020

Brandon Peters will be returning to Champaign in 2021, according to an announcement on Illinois Football's Twitter Tuesday morning. Coming in as a graduate...

Junior Ayo Dosunmu prepares to shoot the ball during the game against Indiana on Saturday.

Confidence, preparation: How Ayo Dosunmu has established himself as top closer in college basketball

By Brandon Simberg, Staff Writer Dec 28, 2020

With under 10 minutes remaining, No. 18 Illinois was on the verge of being upset at home, trailing Indiana 47-43. Illini star guard Ayo Dosunmu had played...

Junior Ayo Dosunmu speeds towards the basket during the game against Indiana on Saturday. The Illini won the game 69-60 with Dosunmu scoring 30 points.

Player Grades: Dosunmu’s 30-point performance leads Illini to late game win

By Gabby Hajduk, Sports Editor Dec 27, 2020

There’s nothing quite like watching Ayo Dosunmu torch Big Ten defenses down the stretch with the game on the line. Illini fans got quite the show on...

Dr. Uretz Oliphant, a trauma surgeon, receives Carle Foundation Hospital's first COVID-19 vaccination. Oliphant, who has operated on COVID-19 patients, was inoculated the morning of Thursday, Dec. 17.

CU hospitals receive county’s first COVID-19 vaccines

By Ethan Simmons, News Editor Dec 18, 2020

Hundreds of doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine have arrived in Champaign County, and they're going to hospital staff who work with COVID-19...

Freshman Andre Curbelo drives towards the basket during the game against Minnesota on Tuesday. The Illini won the game 92-65.

Andre Curbelo uses underdog mentality, passing flash to woo teammates

By Brandon Simberg, Staff Writer Dec 17, 2020

In basketball, it’s rare to see a player take over a game with just passing. It’s even rarer for said player to be a freshman. But that’s exactly...

Junior Trent Frazier takes a shot during the game against Minnesota on Tuesday. The Illini won the game 92-65.

Player Grades: Kofi Cockburn, Trent Frazier push Illini to dominant victory

By Gabby Hajduk, Sports Editor Dec 16, 2020

After a rocky six minutes in the Big Ten opener against Minnesota, the Illini got a burst of energy that lasted the next 34 minutes. Intense all-around...

Sophomore Kofi Cockburn shoots the ball during the game against Ohio on Nov. 27.

Illinois looks to corral Marcus Carr, Minnesota in Big Ten season opener

By Brandon Simberg, Staff Writer Dec 15, 2020

When Missouri guard Xavier Pinson got into the paint and finished a floater with 54 seconds remaining to give the Tigers a four-point lead, it was a...

Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian during open practice at Fan Day in Bryant-Denny Stadium Aug. 3, 2019.

Top seven coaching replacements for Lovie Smith

By Carson Gourdie and Josh Pietsch Dec 14, 2020

After losing to Northwestern for the sixth straight season, Josh Whitman has decided to part ways with his first hire, Lovie Smith. The former Chicago...

Illinois head coach Lovie Smith walks along the sideline against Northwestern where the Illini lost 28-10. On Sunday afternoon, Illinois Athletics announced its split with Smith.

Illinois Athletics announces departure of Lovie Smith from football program

By Gabby Hajduk, Sports Editor Dec 13, 2020

It's official. Lovie Smith and the Illini have parted ways after nearly five seasons. The news was originally reported by Howard Griffith, a Big Ten Network...

Jon Stewart hosts an episode of "The Daily Show." Columnist Samuel Rahman believes Stewart will return to TV hosting a similar program in 2021.

Opinion | Jon Stewart will return

By Samuel Rahman, columnist Dec 11, 2020

October 27th marked an exciting day for the political late-night show industry. Apple TV+ announced former Daily Show host Jon Stewart would return to...

Junior Ayo Dosunmu advances the ball during the game against Duke on Tuesday. The Illini won the game 83-68.

Player Grades: Illini guards shine in win over No. 10 Duke

By Gabby Hajduk, Sports Editor Dec 9, 2020

The entire Illinois men’s basketball team showed up on Tuesday night in a top-10 matchup against one of the biggest basketball powerhouses in the Duke...

Ayo Dosunmu looks to the court during Illinois' game against North Carolina A&T on Nov. 25. Dosunmu will need to have a big game on Tuesday when the Illini face the Duke Blue Devils.

Duke preview: look at biggest questions for No. 6 Illinois ahead of Cameron Indoor clash

By Brandon Simberg, Staff Writer Dec 8, 2020

Six days after losing to No. 2 Baylor on ESPN, No. 6 Illinois will get another chance to prove themselves on the national stage. The Illini will travel...