Illini basketball: Breaking down the guards
By Thomas Polcyn, Illini hoops columnist
October 26, 2017
It has been no secret that new head coach Brad Underwood likes to use his guards a lot. His fast-paced system revolves around using multiple lead guards pushing the ball up and down the court from the moment they get the outlet pass from their big men. Knowing how important they will be to the tea...
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. ...
Two Illini targets transfer as season draws closer
By Alex Roux
October 19, 2015
As the leaves turn and the sun sets earlier with each passing day, college hoops fans’ mindsets shift from recruiting watch to game mode.Especially at Illinois, especially this year. The fall early signing period begins just three weeks from Wednesday, and the Illini’s first game is two days aft...
Illini hoops recruiting settles into a lull
By Alex Roux
October 6, 2015
For the first time since classes started, a weekend devoid of any basketball recruiting visits came and went on the Illinois campus.Sometimes recruits take official visits, other times they’re unofficial. We’ve seen them scheduled far in advance, and others have materialized at what seems like the...
Point guard Lucas chooses Illinois
By Alex Roux
September 16, 2015
Te’Jon Lucas, a point guard in the 2016 class from Milwaukee, has committed to Illinois.The 6-foot, 155-pound Lucas committed to head coach John Groce and the Illini Wednesday over Old Dominion and USC. He becomes the first member of Groce’s 2016 recruiting class. Lucas announced his choice at the ...
Simpson decision re-opens old wounds, but other targets remain
By Alex Roux
September 10, 2015
Maybe I should save myself some time.You see, when a high-profile Illinois basketball recruit sets a date and time to announce his college decision, I have to be prepared. I’ll write two stories in advance of the announcement — one will say the recruit picked the Illini, the other will sa...
Simpson spurns Illini: Groce loses another point guard
By Alex Roux
September 9, 2015
Xavier Simpson, the No. 66 player in ESPN’s Top 100 in the class of 2016, has committed to Michigan over Illinois.The 5-foot-11, 170 pound Simpson chose Michigan over Illinois, Miami, Wisconsin and Iowa State. He announced the decision Wednesday afternoon at his high school in Lima, Ohio.Simpson t...
