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...
Illini snaps losing streak with win over Rebels
By Brian Binz, Staff writer
December 10, 2018
Filed under Basketball, Men's Sports, Sports
After a three-game losing streak for the Illinois men’s basketball team, something had to change. The change came in the seven-foot form of freshman Samba Kane. After fellow freshman Giorgi Bezhanishvili started off the game slowly, Kane checked in with 18 minutes to go in the first half and...
Kane earns court time, helps Illini in win over UNLV
By Brian Binz, Staff Writer
December 10, 2018
Filed under Basketball, Men's Sports, Sports, Top Stories
Just a few weeks ago, Illinois men’s basketball fans thought freshman Samba Kane was being redshirted after a string of DNPs against high-tier nonconference teams. However, his check-in against Mississippi Valley State gave those watching Illinois basketball their first glimpse of the 7-foot pla...
Familiar problems keep Illini from United Center victory
By Brian Binz, Staff writer
December 6, 2018
Filed under Basketball, Men's Sports, Sports
It was a familiar song for the Illinois men's basketball team, one it has sung a lot in the last few years. After a strong first half, followed by a flurry of fouls capped off with a desperate rally, Illinois came away with another loss against No. 19 Ohio State in front of a nearly empty United Center...
New players are mainstays for Illini
By Brian Binz, Staff writer
December 6, 2018
Filed under Basketball, Men's Sports, Sports, Top Stories
With the latest trip for Illinois being the annual United Center game against No. 19 Ohio State in Chicago, the Illinois men’s basketball team still has more questions than answers. The start of the upcoming schedule doesn’t get a whole lot easier for Illinois, which has already played high-calibe...
Illinois foul trouble proves costly in early season
By Gavin Good, Staff writer
December 6, 2018
Filed under Basketball, Men's Sports, Sports
Through eight games, which has made up the program’s worst win-loss start in over a century, Illinois basketball has allowed opponents a significant edge in both free throw percentage and attempts. At Nebraska over the weekend, the Cornhuskers put up 30 free throws as the Illini were called for 23 f...
Underwood searches for perfect lineup
By Brian Binz, Staff writer
December 3, 2018
Filed under Basketball
During Brad Underwood’s time at Illinois, only one thing has been constant: change. Whether it’s a change in culture with the installation of a high-pressure aggressive defense or a change in personnel with eight new players joining the team, the program is dramatically different now than it was ...
Illinois looking to improve defense against Notre Dame
By Brian Binz, Staff Writer
November 27, 2018
Filed under Basketball, Men's Sports, Sports
It’s back on the road again for the Illinois men’s basketball team. After a single game tune-up against Mississippi Valley State on Sunday, the Illini prepare to head to South Bend, Indiana, to try and pick up their first Power-5 win of the year. The Illini passed their first game back from the...
Underwood switches it up, Illini rain threes in rebound victory
By Gavin Good, Staff writer
November 26, 2018
Filed under Basketball, Men's Sports, Sports
After an 0-3 showing at the Maui Invitational, head coach Brad Underwood shook up his lineup and rotation against Mississippi Valley State (1-6) on Sunday afternoon. Seven-footer Adonis De La Rosa started alongside Giorgi Bezhanishvili for a two-man frontcourt, while Underwood deployed walk-ons Samson Oladi...
Illini leave Maui Invitational empty-handed
By Brian Binz, Staff writer
November 26, 2018
Filed under Basketball, Men's Sports, Sports, Top Stories
When head coach Brad Underwood came in, the Illinois men’s basketball team had missed the NCAA tournament four, now five, years in a row for the first time in University history. At the beginning of the year, Underwood said he put together the hardest schedule in school history, including a trip...
Illinois back in win column after return from Maui Invitational
By Eli Schuster, Sports Editor
November 25, 2018
Filed under Basketball, Men's Sports, Sports, Sports Top Stories
Illinois is a very tired basketball team, according to head coach Brad Underwood. In a journey back home from the Maui Invitational where the Illini dropped all three games to a lineup of Gonzaga, Iowa State and Xavier, the Illini got back in the win column with an 86-67 victory over Mississippi Vall...
Notes, takeaways from Illinois’ loss to Georgetown
November 15, 2018
Filed under Basketball, Men's Sports, Sports
The Illini men’s basketball team was without its starting point guard, as sophomore Trent Frazier was ruled out with a concussion before tipoff Tuesday night. Junior guard Andres Feliz got the start instead and had 13 points to go with five assists. The Illini missed Frazier as they went on a fiv...
