Illinois visits Wisconsin as Leron Black distraction hovers
By Alex Roux
February 21, 2016
Filed under Sports
Tweet: Illinois visits Wisconsin on Saturday, who the #Illini haven’t beaten since 2011 When Wisconsin visited Illinois at the end of January, the Badgers’ identity was cloudy.It’s a lot clearer three weeks later.The Badgers moved to 13-9 and 5-4 in the Big Ten with their win over the listless Illini on Jan. 31...
Illinois routs Rutgers at home
February 16, 2016
Filed under Sports
tweet: The #Illini kept Rutgers winless in the Big Ten with a 82-66 win on Tuesday.Malcolm Hill gingerly raced down the court for an easy lay-in after a Rutgers pass went straight into his arms on the other end. The bucket capped off a 13-4 Illini run, and the tone was set — Rutgers just couldn't ...
Illinois edges Rutgers in triple overtime behind Hill's 32 points
February 4, 2016
Filed under Sports
It took three overtimes for the Illini to finish off the worst team in the conference.Illinois (11-12, 3-7 Big Ten) beat Rutgers (6-17, 0-10 Big Ten) 110-101 in a sloppy-yet-entertaining contest between two Big Ten bottom-feeders. Junior guard Malcolm Hill dropped 32 points, snagged 14 rebounds and dish...
Finke, Morgan step up for Illini in light of Thorne Jr.'s continued absence
January 26, 2016
Filed under Sports
Tweet: [email protected]_Michael and @Maverick_Morgan combined for 23 rebounds vs. Minnesota. Next up for #Illini hoops is a matchup with @OhioStateHoopsMalcolm Hill’s turn-around jumper glanced off the front rim during the first half of Illinois’ win against Minnesota. Surrounded by three Gophers, Michael F...
Illinois storms back in final minute, defeats Minnesota in OT
By Alex Roux
January 24, 2016
Filed under Sports
Tweet: Illinois picked up its first road win in nearly a year, beating Minnesota in overtime Saturday, writes @aroux94It looked grim for Illinois down the stretch.Trailing 60-55 at Minnesota with just over a minute to play Saturday, the Illini seemed to have run out of gas. But Malcolm Hill and Kendric...
Illinois escapes Minnesota with overtime win
January 24, 2016
Filed under Sports
tweet: Hill’s big night led the #Illini to their second Big Ten winFor two teams itching for an always elusive conference victory, Illinois and Minnesota had to wait longer than expected to determine a winner on Saturday night. The Illini seemed to want the dub just a little more and pulled away in ov...
Illini escape UIC, but are haunted by second-half woes again
By Alex Roux
December 13, 2015
Filed under Sports
Over the last five years, Illinois basketball’s annual United Center game has evolved into an experience comparable to getting a root canal or waiting in line at the DMV.It isn’t pleasant. It isn’t fun. In its last six regular season games at United Center, Illinois has: lost to UIC, lost (badly) t...
Illinois will have to reverse ugly United Center trend against UIC Saturday
By Alex Roux
December 12, 2015
Filed under Sports
Tweet: United Center wasn’t kind to #Illini hoops last year, who must take down UIC to keep season trending upward, writes @aroux94United Center has historically been a friendly host for Illinois basketball (they’re 35-14 overall at the venue), but last year it was a house of horrors.The Illini suff...
Illini to face reigning Ivy League Player of the Year on Wednesday against Yale
December 8, 2015
Filed under Sports
From his spot on the right wing, Yale point guard Makai Mason lofted a perfect pass to a cutting Nick Victor, who caught the ball mid-air at the rim. Victor failed to convert the set-play alley-oop in the second half of Yale’s win against Vermont on Saturday, but reigning Ivy League Player of the Year J...
John Groce lands Charlotte transfer Thorne for Illini basketball
April 18, 2015
Filed under Uncategorized
For the first time in a couple of months, the Illinois basketball program received some good news on Saturday morning. According to a CBS Sports report, Charlotte fifth-year transfer Mike Thorne has committed to Illinois and head coach John Groce. The 6-foot-11, 270-pound big man will be eligible to...
Pivotal game awaits Illinois basketball against Michigan State
February 6, 2015
Filed under Uncategorized
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 ...
Layup in final seconds gives Illini 60-58 win
By Sean Neumann
January 31, 2015
Filed under Uncategorized
Malcolm Hill turned off a double team with just seconds remaining and drove to the basket. The baby-face sophomore had already given his Illini team all he could: 25 points, four rebounds, 37 minutes on the floor. But like a veteran, he drove to the rim one last time. The right-handed sophomore w...
