LoVett snub a reminder of Groce’s point guard problem
By Alex Roux
May 25, 2015
Late Wednesday evening, Illinois men’s basketball fans were issued an uncomfortable reminder.Like a mountain of dirty dishes that eventually becomes too big to ignore, Illini fans were forced to stare down the bare spot in their future point guard cupboard when 2015 target Marcus LoVett, Jr. tweeted tha...
From the bench: A student-manager’s view of the 2004-05 Illini
By Sean Neumann
March 17, 2015
Crossing the Mississippi River, the St. Louis Gateway Arch began to peak over I-70. To anyone else at that moment, it was just a monument. But to the Illinois basketball team, watching the 630-foot symbol rise from the river’s western bank, it meant a dream accomplished. “There’s the arch!” D...
Hometown Illini players reflect on historic 2004-05 season
March 17, 2015
Despite being young at the time, former Champaign Centennial stars and now Illinois basketball players Rayvonte Rice and Michael Finke remember the 2004-05 basketball season like it was yesterday. While many watched the monumental run on TV, Finke and Rice were in the atmosphere experiencing it first...
Where are they now: 2004-05 Illini basketball players and coaches
March 17, 2015
It has been an eventful 10 years since the 2004-05 Illinois men’s basketball team made it to the NCAA championship game. Much has changed at Illinois in those 10 years. But what have the players and coaches from that year’s team been up to since then? Dee Brown No. 11 guard Brown was drafte...
Illinois basketball eliminated early from Big Ten tournament
By Sean Neumann
March 12, 2015
CHICAGO — The spark wouldn’t stay lit for the Illini and their Big Ten tournament run ended as quickly as it began Thursday. Their NCAA tournament hopes likely died along with it. Illinois was eliminated in the second round of the conference tournament, falling to Michigan 73-55 at the United...
Illinois basketball still clinging to NCAA tournament hopes
By Sean Neumann
March 3, 2015
The Illini men’s basketball team has just two games left to make a final push to the NCAA tournament. Trying to avoid back-to-back trips to the NIT, Illinois looks to close out the season with back-to-back wins against Nebraska and Purdue this week. The Illini lost to Nebraska in mid-January in one ...
Big Ten basketball power rankings: Week of March 3
March 3, 2015
Editor’s note: Every week, The Daily Illini basketball staff ranks the basketball teams in the Big Ten 1-14 and compiles the lists into its own Big Ten power rankings. 1. MARYLAND (Last week: 3) The No. 14 Terrapins are led by freshman phenom Melo Trimble, who has averaged 16.2 points per game on the season, while lea...
Izzo, Groce: Big Ten deserves respect
By Sean Neumann
February 24, 2015
Tom Izzo looked out of breath when he arrived to talk with reporters following Michigan State’s 60-53 win over Illinois on Sunday. The Spartans’ head coach sat down, shook his head and gave a laugh of disbelief: “That was the hardest, most physical game we’ve been involved in.” For the legend...
Illini basketball looks for fourth-straight win Thursday
By Sean Neumann
February 12, 2015
Illinois basketball’s loss to Michigan was the most heartbreaking of the season. It’s one the Illini are looking to avenge, and there might not be a better time to do it. The team dropped the last meeting between the two in Ann Arbor, Mich., losing in overtime 73-65. Michigan came back from a 13-point ...
Pivotal game awaits Illinois basketball against Michigan State
February 6, 2015
If you take a quick look at Saturday’s matchup between Michigan State and Illinois on paper, it’s difficult to be optimistic about the Illini’s chances. The game is at Michigan State and John Groce’s Illini squad has had real trouble away from home all season. Illinois is 1-5 in true road ...
Tate’s assists help spread Illini basketball offense
By Sean Neumann
February 5, 2015
Jaylon Tate can dish it out. The Illini point guard has proven his ability to pass the ball all season, leading the Illini with 82 assists. The point guard added six assists in Tuesday night’s 66-54 win over Rutgers, helping spread the team’s offensive production on a night where four Illini scored in...
Illini of the Week Feb. 4: Malcolm Hill
February 4, 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 Malcolm Hill caught the pass from Jaylon Tate and surveyed the defens...
