Thoughts and Observations: Illinois vs. UT-Martin
By Thomas Polcyn, Illini hoops columnist
November 12, 2017
Game two is in the books and the Illini were able to secure an 77-74 victory over the UT-Martin Skyhawks. This game started off a little bit slower than the first, including a total of 10 turnovers from the Illini in the first half alone. But, despite the early struggles, Underwood was able to get ...
Ayo Dosunmu: Illinois’ early, anticipated present
By Thomas Polcyn, Illini hoops columnist
October 23, 2017
Do you remember when you were younger, when you knew what your birthday present was going to be, but you couldn’t open it until the day of your birthday? You wanted to open it and have it more than anything in the world, but no matter what you would say, your parents said that you have to wait. ...
Illinois needs to play desperate Tuesday to knock off Indiana
By Alex Roux
January 19, 2016
It’s easy to recognize a team playing with desperation.We often see desperation from teams with their backs against the wall, with no other choice but to eat or be eaten. If a team plays desperate in college basketball it usually means bodies are flying across the floor for loose balls, defenders a...
Looking to avoid an Illini hoops disaster in a difficult season
By Alex Roux
January 19, 2016
At Illinois, it’s reasonable to expect the men’s basketball team to make the NCAA tournament.Barring extreme circumstances and an occasional rebuilding season, that expectation was solidified and instilled into multiple generations of Illini hoops fans over the course of nearly three decades. From ...
Even in down years, Braggin’ Rights remain sacred
By Alex Roux
December 23, 2015
Tweet: Even in a down year for both teams, Braggin’ Rights remain sacred for Illini/MizzouWhen a season goes as it has so far for Illinois basketball, it can become harder to find games on the schedule with true importance and meaning.At 7-5, the Illini have suffered from some self-inflicted pain t...
In honor of a legendary career, Lou Henson Court is the least Illinois could do
By Alex Roux
November 29, 2015
Lou Henson The Coach came before my time.If you’re reading this as a current member of the Orange Krush, then Lou Henson The Coach was probably before your time, too. Lou coached his last game at Illinois in 1996, when I was two years old. Although I never got to witness his teams play firsthand, it ...
Reinforcements arrive as Illini blast Blazers
By Alex Roux
November 28, 2015
Illinois head coach John Groce has always been coy with updates on his injured players. It shouldn’t have come as a surprise, then, when Groce announced a few hours before tipping off against UAB in the Emerald Coast Classic that junior guards Jaylon Tate and Kendrick Nunn would return to the lineup fr...
Illinois needs better starts to compete in Emerald Coast Classic
By Alex Roux
November 27, 2015
The numbers don’t lie.Illinois basketball has suffered from extremely poor starts in five games so far this year on its way to a 2-3 record. The Illini have trailed at halftime in each game and have fallen behind by double digits against every opponent except Providence. They’ve been outscored 197-156 ...
Coleman-Lands saves Illini from calamity at the buzzer
By Alex Roux
November 24, 2015
Illinois was teetering on the brink of calamity Monday at Prairie Capital Convention Center.Chicago State, listed as one of the worst of 351 Division I basketball teams by Ken Pomeroy’s ranking system and picked to finish last in the Western Athletic Conference, led Illinois 79-77 with 40 seconds left ...
Chattanooga loss pushes Illinois to worst start in 50 years
By Alex Roux
November 23, 2015
Tweet: A loss to Chattanooga Saturday night cements the Illini’s worst start to a season since 1965, writes @aroux94The looks on their faces said it all.As Illinois basketball players trudged to the Prairie Capital Convention Center locker room following a 81-77 loss to Chattanooga Saturday night, t...
Illini can’t afford to pile up too many losses as Chattanooga visits Springfield
By Alex Roux
November 21, 2015
It seemed like a good idea in theory.Illinois basketball has generally played weak opponents in early season games during John Groce’s tenure, but the 2015-16 schedule took the toughness up a notch. The Illini are the only team in the country to have faced three straight teams coming off NCAA tourname...
Illini of the Week Nov. 18: Mike Thorne Jr.
November 18, 2015
Editor’s note: The Daily Illini sports desk sits down each week and decides which Illinois athlete or coach is our Illini of the week. Athletes and coaches are evaluated by individual performance and contribution to team success.As he sat slumped in his chair during Friday’s postgame press conference, Mike ...
