Fair Pay to Play Act sparks controversy among coaches
By JJ Kim, Assistant Sports Editor
October 4, 2019
The annual Big Ten Basketball Media Day was headlined by a barrage of questions regarding the new Fair Pay to Play Act, which was signed into law by California Governor Gavin Newsom, which enables college players in California to make money off their likeness and image. Kicking off the media day was Big Ten Commis...
Illini remain confident going into new season
By Gabby Hajduk, Staff Writer
October 4, 2019
Just a month away from the beginning of men’s basketball season, head coach Brad Underwood and the Illini addressed the media at Big Ten Media Day on Wednesday. Coming off a 12-21 season and a second-round Big Tent tournament loss, Underwood expressed his excitement to have a strong turnover of pla...
Ubben renovation project receives $1 million gift
By Meghan Rest, Sports Editor
September 4, 2019
The 20-year-old Ubben Basketball Practices facility is getting a facelift, Illinois Athletic Director Josh Whitman announced in June. Whitman, who was joined by head men's basketball coach Brad Underwood and head women's basketball coach Nancy Fahey for the announcement in June, outlined plans to...
Kouma commits to Illini’s class of 2019
By Rachel Spencer, Assistant Sports Editor
May 31, 2019
Illinois basketball picked up another commit Thursday, with N’Djamena, Chad, native and three-star recruit Bernard Kouma joining top-50 recruit Kofi Cockburn as a member of the Illini’s class of 2019. Kouma signed a Big Ten Tender of Financial Aid and made his own personal announcement on Twit...
Dosunmu ‘returns home’ next year
By Miles Powers-Huang, Staff Writer
April 22, 2019
Illinois freshman Ayo Dosunmu announced on Thursday he will be returning for his sophomore campaign. Although there were overwhelming speculations he would come back and forgo the NBA draft, the decision may not have been as straight-forward as people thought. The 2019 NBA draft pool is regarded as a wea...
Underwood cleared of player abuse allegations, DIA said in statement
By Alec Busse, Contributing Writer
April 12, 2019
Head coach Brad Underwood has been cleared of pending allegations regarding player abuse during his first year at the helm of the Illinois men's basketball program. The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics released a statement regarding the investigation's findings Friday afternoon. The statement follows the investigation sparked by complaints about Underwood's lang...
Illinois’ season comes to a close after blowout loss to Iowa
By Eli Schuster, Sports Editor
March 15, 2019
After taking down Northwestern with its season on the line in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament Wednesday night, Illinois came out of the gate with a brutal start on day two. Illinois started both offensive possessions with two quick shot clock violations at the hands of freshman forward Giorgi...
Illinois ends season on a low note, looks toward program’s future
By Gavin Good, Staff Writer
March 15, 2019
Illinois ended one of its worst seasons in school history — record-wise — in a similar fashion Thursday night, losing 83-62 to Iowa in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament. The game was eerily similar to teams’ first meeting this season, a 95-71 Iowa win on Jan. 20. In that game, Iow...
Illini avoid early exit with OT win over Wildcats in first round of Big Ten Tournament
By Gavin Good, Staff Writer
March 14, 2019
Sometimes the margin between victory and defeat is as slim as a single possession or the bounce of the basketball. With the No. 11-seed Illini down one to the No. 14 Northwestern Wildcats and with three minutes to go in overtime, junior guard Andres Feliz drove frantically into the paint, nearly los...
Dosunmu makes Big Ten All-Freshman team
By Gavin Good, Staff writer
March 14, 2019
Freshman guard Ayo Dosunmu came to Illinois with a full stream of hype behind him. As a star at Morgan Park and for the Mac Irvin Fire, Dosunmu drew a lot of fanfare when he decided to take his talents to Champaign. On Monday, that hype was validated as Dosunmu was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman te...
Illinois to face Northwestern in first round of conference tournament
By Gavin Good, Staff writer
March 13, 2019
Illinois and Northwestern have played each other twice this season, with each team winning at home, but Wednesday’s contest at the United Center will have different stakes as the Big Ten conference tournament begins. Someone’s season is ending. Neither team comes into this one in good form, a...
Illini close out Big Ten slate with fourth loss in last five games
By Gavin Good, Staff writer
March 11, 2019
It’s official. Illinois has lost 20 games this season, the most in program history. The Illini (11-20, 7-13 Big Ten) wrapped up Big Ten play on the road at Penn State, falling 72-56 after the Nittany Lions outscored the Illini 41-24 in the second half. With the loss, Illinois finishes the con...
