‘Twas the start of championship weekend
By Eli Schuster, Sports Editor
December 13, 2018
‘Twas the Final Four day, when all through Illinois Not a sports fan was talking, not even a college boy; The steel beams were hung by the new football facility with care In hopes more recruits would soon be there; Lovie was kicking it back in his chair, Reliving a two-year extension some called ...
Point guard play is hallmark of Illini basketball
By Brian Binz, Staff Writer
December 13, 2018
Filed under Basketball, Columns, Men's Sports, Sports
For a long time, Illinois basketball was defined by greatness. It consistently competed in the Big Ten and made the postseason, putting together a team that threatened for a deep run. Recently, the program has run into something of a dry spell, and what a let down it’s been. For the first time in school history...
College basketball has recent swing of bad beats
November 29, 2018
Sunday’s contest on the hardwood between Mississippi Valley State and Illinois was hardly competitive, but it did feature a significant event in its waning moments. Leading up to it, the Illini were in control. The team began to pull away with seven minutes left in the first half and did not look ...
Big Ten teams as NFL QB’s
By Eli Schuster, Sports Editor
August 27, 2018
Soon enough, our noses will be tickled with the sweet smell of pigskin in the morning. Saturdays and Sundays will be loaded with greasy snacks, minimal movement and plenty of mixed emotions. With all of this at the center of my mind, I decided to write a column full of wild accusations to connect bot...
The importance of storytelling: Sports coverage goes beyond field
By Eli Schuster, Sports Editor
April 30, 2018
“What makes sports so great?” *raises hand* Well, I’m glad you asked. I’ll stand by Grantland Rice’s old saying: “It’s not whether you win or lose; it’s how you play the game.” For me, that phrase goes a long way. It most certainly isn’t about winning or losing, but often the person playin...
I want a walk-up song
By Eli Schuster, Sports Editor
April 23, 2018
Filed under Columns
I want it now! Pardon my channeling of my inner Veruca Salt, but baseball season has got me feeling some kind of way. It’s always fun to be sitting in the bleachers and hear the same 20 seconds of a song you vaguely know when a baseball player takes the plate. I have always been fascinated with the wal...
Illini losing culture: an epidemic of white noise
By Eli Schuster, Sports editor
April 12, 2018
The temperature reads 35 degrees as the blades on my desk fan whip around. I can’t sleep without a white noise. On cold nights, I’ll wear a sweatshirt. I don’t mean to get too personal. My night-time routine probably isn't very fascinating to you, but that's probably for the best. I need the wh...
Recruits show tides are changing for Illini athletics
By Eli Schuster, Sports editor
April 5, 2018
Isn’t it ironic? Bizarrely enough, I can’t help but think of the 1996 smash hit from Alanis Morissette that utters that question when thinking about my current situation as sports editor. I know you might be thinking this accusation is a stretch, or I’m just using this example for comedic eff...
I would like to thank the academy
By Eli Schuster, Sports Editor
March 29, 2018
*tap* *tap* Is this thing on? Hello, my name is Elias Schuster, and I am extremely excited to be accepting this position on behalf of the Academy, otherwise known as The Daily Illini Editor-in-Chief Abby Paeth, who gave me this award. Now bear with me through an acceptance speech. Having the chance to tak...
Illini men’s basketball year in review
By Thomas Polcyn, Illini hoops columnist
March 5, 2018
Filed under Basketball, Columns, Men's Sports, Sports
As the wise men of the Grateful Dead once said, “What a long, strange trip it’s been.” This Illini men’s basketball season was one of many highs and lows ranging from initial tournament hopes, a fifth straight Braggin’ Rights win, heartbreaking losses and many more big moments. But, it en...
The top six coaches I’d like to get a beer with on Unofficial
By Cole Henke, Sports Editor
March 1, 2018
Filed under Columns, Men's Sports, Sports, Top Stories, Unofficial Edition, Women's Sports
I have spent a lot of time around Illini coaches in my four years here at the University of Illinois, and with my time as a reporter at The Daily Illini and it being Unofficial season, I figured it’s time for a nice power ranking. I am not going to rank who the best coaches are at this school. No,...
FBI investigation creates perfect opportunity for NCAA
By Cole Henke, Sports Editor
February 26, 2018
Filed under Basketball, Columns, Men's Sports, Sports
Arizona head coach Sean Miller was not present at his team’s loss to Oregon on Saturday. Only hours before the game, it was announced that Miller was the latest victim of the FBI’s investigation into college basketball. The FBI wire-tapped his phones and heard him discussing paying Deandre Ayton $10...
