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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

Alec Busse, Assistant Sports Video Editor

[email protected]

Illinois head coach Lovie Smith celebrates after a game-winning field goal as time expired in a 24-23 victory against Wisconsin at Memorial Stadium on Oct. 19, 2019, in Champaign, IL.

Illini football continues May recruiting success

By Alec Busse, Assistant Video Editor • May 30, 2020
Illinois football committ Trevor Moffitt poses for a promotional photo.

2021 commit Trevor Moffitt brings speed, athleticism to Illini

By Alec Busse, Assistant Video Editor • May 19, 2020
The Illinois Men's Basketball team huddles before a match with Indiana on March 1.

Student-athletes adjust to remote learning

By Alec Busse, Assistant Video Editor • May 17, 2020
The Illini football team run out onto Levi's Stadium for the Redbox Bowl in California on Dec. 30.

Illini football add prep linebacker, grad-transfer safety

By Alec Busse, Assistant Video Editor • May 14, 2020
The Illinois offensive line stands on the field before a play during the 2001 season.

Team of the century: 2001 Illini football win Big Ten, earn Sugar Bowl berth

By Alec Busse, Assistant Video Editor • May 13, 2020
Junior Guard Da'Monte Williams passes the ball during the match against Old Dominion on Dec. 14, 2019.

Best Illini uniforms: ‘Flyin’ Illini’ uniforms earn top spot in 2019-2020 rankings

By Alec Busse, Assistant Video Editor • May 9, 2020
Illinois Quarterback Isaiah Williams slips through a defender's tackle during the match against Northwestern on Nov. 30, 2019.

Best Illini uniforms: Orange-blue-orange ranks top combination for 2019 football team

By Alec Busse, Assistant Video Editor • May 6, 2020
A promotional photo shows that Prince Green has committed to Illinois.

Illini add Prince Green to 2021 class

By Alec Busse, Assistant Video Editor • May 5, 2020
Illinois Guard Ayo Dosunmu dribbles around a defender during the game against Northwestern in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament at the United Center on Wednesday, March 13, 2019.

Postponement of NBA Combine, Draft Lottery affect Illini

By Alec Busse, Assistant Video Editor • May 3, 2020
Miami's Brian Hightower catches a pass as D.J. Ivey, top, defends in the second quarter of the Hurricanes' spring scrimmage at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla., on Saturday, April 14, 2018.

Illini add another impactful transfer

By Alec Busse, Assistant Video Editor • April 30, 2020
Defensive lineman Raekwon Davis of Alabama runs a drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Feb. 29, 2020.

NFL Draft becomes family event

By Alec Busse, Assistant Video Editor • April 27, 2020
Illinois quarterback Brandon Peters throws a pass during the game against Wisconsin. The Illini won 24-23.

Absolute best, worst case scenario for 2020 Illini football season

By Alec Busse, Assistant Video Editor • April 23, 2020
Ron "Chin" Coleman gives directions from the sideline during the game against Rutgers at State Farm Center on Feb. 9, 2019. Coleman and Orlando A

Chin Coleman’s success continues to grow

By Alec Busse, Assistant Video Editor • April 21, 2020
Illinois football helmets line up at the end zone at Memorial Stadium during football spring training on April 13, 2019.

Illini continue to hit transfer portal

By Alec Busse, Staff Writer • April 17, 2020
Illinois sophomore Ayo Dosunmu dribbles the ball against Indiana on March 1. The Illini beat the Hoosiers 67-66.

Ask an expert: Sam Vecenie gives draft projections for Ayo Dosunmu

By Alec Busse, Assistant Video Editor • April 15, 2020
Freshman Center Kofi Cockburn jockeys with Iowa Forward Ryan Kriener for position under the basket during the match against Iowa on March 8. The Illini won the match 78-76.

What Illinois loses if Cockburn goes pro

By Alec Busse, Staff Writer • April 11, 2020
Freshman Kofi Cockburn walks onto the court during Illinois' game against Old Dominion on Dec. 14, 2019. The Illini won the game 69-55.

Ask an expert: Sam Vecenie gives draft projections for Kofi Cockburn

By Alec Busse, Assistant Video Editor • April 7, 2020
Illinois Head Football Coach Lovie Smith speaks at the Red Box Bowl Fan Fest in Santa Clara, CA on Dec. 29, 2019.

Illinois struggles to recruit in-state prospects

By Alec Busse, Assistant Video Editor • April 3, 2020
Illinois guard Tevian Jones (5) takes a look at the scoreboard during the game against Iowa in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament at the United Center on Thursday, March 14, 2019. The Illini lost 83-62.

Jones becomes second Illini to enter transfer portal

By Alec Busse, Video Editor • March 25, 2020
Dosunmu must decide: Making the case for junior season

Dosunmu must decide: Making the case for junior season

By Alec Busse, Video Editor • March 23, 2020
Lovie Smith speaks at the Red Box Bowl Fan Fest at Santa Clara, CA on Dec. 29.

Transfer portal helps Illini fill needs

By Alec Busse, Video Editor • March 19, 2020
Head coach Brad Underwood looks at the score during the Illinois' game against Iowa at State Farm Center on March 8.

Recruiting never stops for Underwood and company

By Alec Busse, Video Editor • March 18, 2020
Illinois head coach Brad Underwoos high fives members of the Orange Krush student section after Illinois' game against Iowa at State Farm Center Sunday night. The Illini beat the Hawkeyes 78-76.

Notes and grades: Illini shoot down Hawkeyes in regular-season final

By Alec Busse, Staff Writer • March 9, 2020
Illinois basketball commit Adam Miller cheers while watching Illinois’ game against Indiana on March 1 at State Farm Center. Miller will join the Illini for the 2020-2021 season.

Illinois men’s hoops recruit Adam Miller uses platform to give back

By Alec Busse, Staff Writer • March 9, 2020
Illinois vs. Nebraska Highlights

Illinois vs. Nebraska Highlights

By Alec Busse and Salman Amindavar • February 29, 2020
Sophomore guard Alan Griffin celebrates during Illinois' game against Michigan State on Feb. 11 at State Farm Center. Griffin scored a career-high 24 points on the road Thursday night at Northwestern.

Grades and takeaways: Illinois crushes Northwestern on road

By Alec Busse, Staff Writer • February 27, 2020
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[Photo] Gallery | Illinois triumphs over Nebraska

By Jonathan Bonaguro, Senior Sports Photographer • February 25, 2020
Illini sophomore guard Alan Griffin helps Illinois junior guard Trent Frazier after he picks up an offensive foul during the second half of Illinois' game against Michigan State at State Farm Center in Champaign, IL on Tuesday, Feb. 11.

Illinois player grades against Rutgers

By Alec Busse, Staff Writers • February 16, 2020
Illini guard Da'Monte Williams (20) guards Michigan State guard Kyle Ahrens (0) during the first half of Tuesday's matchup at the State Farm Center. Illinois fell to Michigan State 70-69.

Grades and takeaways: Michigan State edges Illinois, 70-69

By Alec Busse, Staff Writer • February 12, 2020
Illinois win over Minnesota

Illinois win over Minnesota

By Alex Aguilera and Alec Busse • February 1, 2020
Forward Giorgi Bezhanishvili launches a hookshot during the match against Michigan on Saturday. The Illini won 64-62.

Player grades: Illinois vs Michigan

By Alec Busse, Staff Writer • January 27, 2020
Illinois Fighting Illini guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) dribbles past guard Eric Hunter Jr. (2) on Tuesday at Mackey Arena. The Illini won 79-62.

Grades and takeaways: Illinois at Purdue

By Alec Busse, Staff Writer • January 23, 2020
Junior Trent Frazier reacts to a foul call during No. 24 Illinois' game against Northwestern on Saturday. The Illini won 75-71 and improve to 5-2 in the Big Ten and 13-5 overall.

Grades and takeaways: Illinois defeats Northwestern 75-71

By Alec Busse, Staff Writer • January 19, 2020
Sophomore Alan Griffin rises to block a Purdue shot during the Illini's game against the Boilermakers on Jan. 5 at the State Farm Center.

Grades and takeaways: Purdue falls at Illinois 63-37

By Alec Busse, Contributing Writer • January 5, 2020
Sophomore Ayo Dosunmu dribbles toward the basket during Illinois' game against Old Dominion at the State Farm Center on Dec. 14. Captured at the State Farm Center on 14 Dec. 2019 by Jonathan Bonaguro.

Notes and grades: Illinois at No. 14 Michigan State

By Alec Busse, Staff Writer • January 2, 2020
Freshman center Kofi Cockburn rises for a layup during Illinois' game against Old Dominion at the State Farm Center on Dec. 14. Illinois won 69-55. Cockburn scored a career-high 26 points against North Carolina A&T on Dec. 29 at home. The Illini beat the Aggies Sunday 95-64. Photo by Jonathan Bonaguro.

Illinois beats North Carolina A&T at home, restores winning energy

By Alec Busse, Contributing Writer • December 29, 2019
Player notes and grades: Braggin' Rights 2019

Player notes and grades: Braggin’ Rights 2019

By Alec Busse, Contributing Writer • December 22, 2019
Fans reflect on a decade of Braggin' Rights

Fans reflect on a decade of Braggin’ Rights

By Alec Busse, Contributing Writer • December 22, 2019
Illini add Dalevon Campbell to class of 2019

Illini add Dalevon Campbell to class of 2019

By Alec Busse, Staff Writer • June 2, 2019
Illinois quarterback M.J. Rivers gets tackled during the game against Penn State at Memorial Stadium on Sept. 21. Rivers will enter the transfer portal for the upcoming season, leaving Illinois without a quarterback with starting experience.

Illinois quarterback Rivers enters transfer portal

By Alec Busse, Contributing Writer • May 4, 2019
lllinois football recruit Isaiah Williams plays catch near his home in the St. Louis-area.

Patterson uses Trinity Catholic background for Illinois recruitment

By Alec Busse, Contributing Writer • April 29, 2019
Illinois head coach Brad Underwood reacts to action on the court during the game against Wisconsin at the State Farm Center on Jan. 23. The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics has cleared Underwood of player abuse allegations during the 2017-18 basketball season.

Underwood cleared of player abuse allegations, DIA said in statement

By Alec Busse, Contributing Writer • April 12, 2019