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Gabby Hajduk

Gabby Hajduk, Sports Editor

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All content by Gabby Hajduk
Iowa center Luka Garza goes up for a shot against Michigan guard Franz Wagner in the first half of their Big Ten basketball game at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Thursday.

Big Ten hoops update: Multiple teams on bubble watch, Player of the Year race still undecided

March 1, 2021
Da'Monte Williams breaks through defenders in Illinois' game at Wisconsin Saturday. The Illini won 74-69.

Disciplined defense, late free-throw makes help Illinois complete sweep of Wisconsin

February 27, 2021
Freshman Andre Curbelo pushes down the court during the game against Nebraska on Thursday. The Illini won the game 86-70.

Player grades: Illini freshmen take over in dominant win over Cornhuskers

February 26, 2021
Senior Trent Frazier advances down the court during the game against Michigan State on Sunday. The Illini lost 81-72.

Player grades: Frazier brings life to struggling Illini offense in road loss

February 24, 2021
Ayo Dosunmu defends an Iowa player at State Farm Center on Jan. 29. Dosunmu recently recorded his second triple-double during the game against Minnesota on Saturday.

Ayo Dosunmu makes history with second triple-double

February 22, 2021
Ayo Dosunmu and Kofi Cockburn go to high five each other in a game against Wisconsin on Feb. 6.

Player grades: Dosunmu, Cockburn’s offensive bursts, Williams’ defensive intensity earn Illini rivalry win

February 17, 2021
Arkansas Razorbacks running back Chase Hayden dives in to the end zone for a second quarter touchdown against the Texas A&M Aggies on Sept. 23, 2017 in the Southwest Classic. Hayden has recently joined the Illinois football team for the 2021 season.

Hayden reconnects with Bielema to finish career

February 4, 2021
Calvin Hart Jr. poses for a promotional photo for the Illinois Football team. Hart recently transferred to Illinois from NC State.

Calvin Hart Jr. looks to make immediate impact with Illini

February 2, 2021
Infielder Branden Comia runs back for a catch during practice on Jan. 14 at the Fighting Illini indoor training facility.

Illini baseball begins full practice ahead of 2021 season

February 1, 2021
Junior Ayo Dosunmu looks to pass during the game against Penn State on Jan. 19. Dosunmu has recently made the top 10 list to receive the Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Award.

Ayo Dosunmu makes top 10 list for Cousy Award

January 27, 2021
Senior Trent Frazier shoots a three during the game against Penn State on Tuesday. The Illini won the game 79-65.

Player Grades: Consistent offense, energy from Cockburn, Frazier lead Illini in dominant win

January 20, 2021
Jacob Grandison dribbles by an Ohio State defender in the Illini's loss to the Buckeyes on Saturday.

Player grades: Strong efforts from Miller, Grandison not enough as veterans struggle

January 17, 2021
Sophomore Kofi Cockburn dunks the ball during the game against Purdue on Saturday.

Player Grades: Illini offense comes alive in second half to complete comeback

January 8, 2021
Ryan Walters was announced as Illinois defensive coordinator on Thursday.

Illinois, Bielema hire Mizzou’s Ryan Walters as defensive coordinator

January 6, 2021
Calvin Hart. Jr. announces his transfer to Illinois after two season at NC State. Bret Bielema secured his first transfer and commitment Tuesday morning.

Bielema lands first commit, first transfer for Illini

January 5, 2021
Senior Da'Monte Williams takes a shot during the game against Purdue on Saturday. The Illini won the game 66-58.

Player grades: Williams’ shot, team’s tight defense fuel Illini Saturday night

January 3, 2021
Senior Jake Hansen takes a deep breath before a play during competition. Hansen has declared for the NFL Draft following the 2020 season.

Jake Hansen, Kendrick Green head to NFL Draft

December 29, 2020
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

December 27, 2020
New Illinois head coach Bret Bielema and his family pose for a picture with Athletic Director Josh Whitman at the Smith Center on Monday.

Family, past adversity lead Bret Bielema to ‘destination spot’ at Illinois

December 22, 2020
Junior Ayo Dosunmu goes for a layup during the game against Minnesota on Tuesday.

Player grades: Strong offensive outings from Dosunmu, Frazier not enough to mask defensive struggles

December 21, 2020
Illinois Athletic Director shakes hands with newly hired football coach Bret Bielema.

Bret Bielema hired as Illinois football head coach

December 19, 2020
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

December 16, 2020
Athletic Director Josh Whitman shakes Lovie Smith's hand after a football game on Sep. 21, 2019. After five years at Illinois, Smith was fired on Sunday as a result of not winning enough games for the program.

Five-year product not enough as Josh Whitman searches for consistent winner

December 15, 2020
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

December 13, 2020
Illinois linebacker Jake Hansen tries to tackle a Northwestern player in the rivalry matchup on Saturday afternoon. The Illini lost to the Wildcats 28-10.

Illinois gets handled in 28-10 loss at Northwestern

December 12, 2020
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

December 9, 2020
The Illinois football team takes the field at Memorial Stadium before the game against Iowa on Saturday.

Column: Illini continue to fail in breakthrough opportunities

December 7, 2020
Junior Giorgi Bezhanishvili points towards the sideline during the game against Ohio on Friday.

Player grades: Bezhanishvili shines in Illini loss

December 3, 2020
Illinois head coach Lovie Smith gives instructions during practice on Oct. 12. The Illini's game against Ohio State on Saturday has been canceled due to positive COVID-19 tests within Ohio State's program.

Breaking: Illinois’ Saturday game canceled amid Ohio State COVID-19 cases

November 27, 2020
Adam Miller shoots a jumpshot in Illinois' game against Chicago State on Thursday. Miller was one of many Illini players who excelled on the offensive end in the team's first three games.

Player grades: Illini offensive depth shines in first three games

November 27, 2020
Redshirt freshman quarterback Isaiah Williams throws a pass during the game against Rutgers on Saturday. Illinois won the game 23-20.

Column: Is Isaiah Williams a viable option for Illinois’ future?

November 16, 2020
Illinois tries to tackle an Iowa player during the game against Iowa on Nov. 23. Sophomore defensive back Devon Witherspoon has been a key contributor for the Illini so far this season, accumulating 15 tackles in two games in 2020.

Devon Witherspoon brings toughness to Illini secondary

November 12, 2020
The Illinois football team takes the field before the game against Minnesota on Saturday. Illinois fell 41-14 and struggled to count on Minnesota running back Mohamed Ibrahim.

Column: What happened to the best team of the Lovie Smith era?

November 9, 2020
Big Ten football coaches' salaries ranked highest to lowest

Big Ten football coaches’ salaries ranked highest to lowest

November 5, 2020
The Illinois cheer team performs at the basketball game against Iowa on March 3.

Illini cheer program remains left out of game days

November 4, 2020
Illinois head coach Lovie Smith gives instructions during practice on Oct. 12. The Illini's game against Ohio State on Saturday has been canceled due to positive COVID-19 tests within Ohio State's program.

Without improvements, Illini are in for a long season

November 2, 2020
Quarterback Brandon Peters faces pressure from the Wisconsin defense in the first game of the season Friday night. The Illini lost to the Badgers 45-7.

Brandon Peters, Griffin Moore test positive for COVID-19

October 31, 2020
Senior defensive lineman Roderick Perry II blocks a teammate during practice on Oct. 12. Perry and Tarique Barnes were some of the only bright spots to come from Illinois’ loss to Wisconsin Friday night.

Tarique Barnes, Roderick Perry among few positives from Friday’s loss

October 29, 2020
The Purdue Exponent's assistant sports editor Joe Duhownik stands in front of a printing press that's producing his paper.

Get to know Purdue: Joe Duhownik speaks on Boilermakers, Illini matchup

October 28, 2020
The Illinois football team enters Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin before the game against Wisconsin on Friday. The Illini lost the game 45-7.

Column: Big Ten football returns, fans can not amidst unprecedented season

October 26, 2020
Illinois linebacker Tarique Barnes tackles Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz in the game against the Badgers Friday night. Mertz reportedly tested positive for COVID-19 Sunday.

Wisconsin’s Graham Mertz reportedly tests positive for COVID-19

October 25, 2020
Sophomore Tarique Barnes returns a fumble for a touchdown against Wisconsin on Friday night. The Illini lost to the Badgers 42-7.

Illini fall to Badgers 45-7 in first game of season

October 23, 2020
Senior offensive lineman Doug Kramer prepares to snap the ball during practice on Oct. 15. The Illini will face the Badgers on Friday at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.

Experienced, homegrown offensive line to lead Illini

October 22, 2020
Sophomore wide receiver Casey Washington runs a drill during practice on Oct. 7. After making an important catch against Wisconsin last fall, Washington hopes to come back strong.

Washington aims for consistency in sophomore season

October 15, 2020
Illinois kicker James McCourt is hoisted into the air by his teammates after the game against Wisconsin. The Illini won 24-23.

Illini season opener at Wisconsin set for Friday, Oct. 23

October 12, 2020
Sophomore Chase Brown runs with the ball during football practice on Aug. 7. On Wednesday, the Illini practiced with full pads for the first time since the Redbox Bowl on Dec. 30.

Illini hold first practice with pads Wednesday

October 1, 2020
Then seniors Ashlyn Fleming and Jacqueline Quade attempt to block the ball during the game against the Pacific Tigers on Sept. 20, 2019 in Indianapolis, IN.

NCAA board approves postponement of fall championships to spring

September 22, 2020
The Illini Football team erupts in celebration after defeating the Michigan State Spartans on Nov. 9, 2019. The Illini won 37-34. The Illini now have the chance to build on the success in 2019 as this season is set to start Oct. 23-24.

Big Ten reinstates 2020 football season

September 16, 2020
Alum Nick Allegretti listens to coaches during a time out during a game in the 2018-2019 season. Allegretti was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs and will serve as a backup center.

Ten former Illini currently reside on NFL rosters

September 10, 2020
Illinois running back Chase Brown runs the football at training camp on Aug. 6. The Illini had their season postponed just five days later.

Watching other teams play: Epstein, Brown say upcoming college football start is bittersweet

September 4, 2020
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