Sophomore Colbert to transfer away from Illinois basketball
April 15, 2015
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Illinois head basketball coach John Groce announced Wednesday that sophomore forward Austin Colbert has decided to transfer. “After meeting with Austin, he and I agree that it is in his best interest to pursue a fresh start and continue his education and basketball career at another institution,” Gr...
Illini basketball suffers season-ending blowout to Alabama in NIT
March 18, 2015
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The Illinois men’s basketball team didn’t come to play on Tuesday night. Third-seeded Illinois (19-13, 9-9 Big Ten) was outplayed by sixth-seeded Alabama (18-14, 8-10 SEC) in all facets of the game in the first round of the NIT in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The Crimson Tide embarrassed the Illini from the s...
Alabama rolls Illinois basketball in opening round of NIT
March 18, 2015
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We’ve seen it before with this Illinois basketball team. This season, it has become a common theme. Opponents hit them in the mouth, go on a run, the Illini fold and the game is essentially over. It just happened sooner than ever Tuesday night in an opening round NIT game against Alabama at the Cole...
Illinois basketball travels to Alabama for the NIT
By Sean Neumann
March 17, 2015
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A crushing 18-point loss to Michigan in the first round of the Big Ten tournament on Thursday set Illinois up for deja vu, sealing the team’s second-straight trip to the National Invitational Tournament. As a consolation, the Illini will travel to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to play Alabama on Tuesday night. ...
Hometown Illini players reflect on historic 2004-05 season
March 17, 2015
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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...
Illini basketball headed back to NIT, opens against Alabama
March 16, 2015
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The Illinois men’s basketball team didn’t expect to be here. Heading into this season, Illinois was projected to be in contention for an NCAA tournament berth. The team faced injuries, suspensions and other obstacles throughout the season that, in the end, proved detrimental to its postseason cha...
Michigan blasts Illinois in Big Ten tournament
March 12, 2015
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When I left the United Center in December following Oregon’s 77-70 defeat of Illinois, I thought that Illini fans couldn’t possibly leave that building feeling any worse than they did that night. I was wrong. Michigan crushed Illinois, 73-55, in an 8-seed vs. 9-seed matchup at the Big Ten tourn...
Illinois basketball still clinging to NCAA tournament hopes
By Sean Neumann
March 3, 2015
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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 ...
Izzo, Groce: Big Ten deserves respect
By Sean Neumann
February 24, 2015
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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...
Illinois willed to victory by Rice’s return
February 13, 2015
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Rayvonte Rice is back and he made sure Michigan knew it. With every possession-ending rebound Rice ripped down in the final minutes of regulation, he sent a message to the rest of the Big Ten about the type of impact he can have on Illinois’ play. Despite scoring just four points on 2-of-7 shooti...
Illini basketball looks for fourth-straight win Thursday
By Sean Neumann
February 12, 2015
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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 ...
Illinois captures 59-54 win at Michigan State
February 7, 2015
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EAST LANSING, Mich. — Even during the flow of the game, where players sometimes lose track of details, Illinois guard Malcolm Hill noticed something amiss with Michigan State's free-throw shooting. "There were times where it seems like even the Michigan State players were surprised (at the misses...
