Illini – Zion Tech Group

#18 Illini Host Ohio State Sunday in Sold-Out Coaches vs. Cancer Matchup
No. 18 Illinois returns to sold-out State Farm Center on Sunday, hosting Ohio State at 12 p.m. CT in a nationally televised game on CBS.

The Fighting Illini are coming off an overtime road loss at Nebraska (80-74) on Thursday night, looking for consecutive Big Ten home wins after an 83-74 victory over Northwestern last Sunday.

Illinois is 111-82 all-time vs. Ohio State in a series that dates back 110 years to 1914-15.

Head coach Brad Underwood is 6-6 against Ohio State and has led Illinois to wins in five of the last seven meetings, including a road win in Columbus in the lone regular-season matchup last year, and a 77-74 come-from-behind win in the quarterfinal to open the Illini’s 2024 Big Ten Tournament Championship run.

Illinois is the nation’s top rebounding team, leading the NCAA in rebounds per game (45.6 rpg) and rebound margin (+11.7 rpg).

Illinois is No. 14 in the latest NCAA NET rankings, second in the Big Ten. The Illini are tied for 10th nationally with four Quad 1 wins.

The Illini are looking to secure at least 10 wins at State Farm Center for the sixth-consecutive season under Brad Underwood. Since 2019-20, the Illini boast the third-best home record in the Big Ten at 78-16 (.830). Nationally, that ranks 13th among teams that have played each of the last six seasons in a power conference.

Illinois is a combined 5-4 away from State Farm Center this season, with a 3-3 mark in true road contests. The Illini had won three straight conference road games prior to an 80-78 heartbreaker at No. 12 Michigan State on Jan. 19, and an 80-74 overtime loss at Nebraska on Jan. 30.

Illinois has the Big Ten’s best road record since the start of the 2019-20 season. During this span, the Illini are 32-24 (.571) in conference road games.

At 3-3 in conference road games so far this season, the Illini are on pace to finish .500 or better on the road in league play for the fifth time in the last six seasons.

Kasparas Jakucionis is a unanimous selection to the five-player Freshman All-America Team by The Athletic.

Jakucionis has also been named Midseason All-America third team by The Sporting News. Jakucionis was one of just two freshmen among the 15 players recognized, along with Duke’s Cooper Flagg.

Jakucionis recorded 21 points, seven rebounds and seven assists last Thursday vs. Maryland, his eighth 20-point game of the season which ties the Illinois program freshman record. He followed that performance with back-to-back double-doubles vs. Northwestern (11-point, 10-rebound) and at Nebraska (18 points, 13 rebounds).

Illinois is No. 18 in the latest KenPom net rating at 24.42. The Fighting Illini are on pace for their fourth top-20 rating in the last five seasons under Brad Underwood.

Four of Illinois’ last six wins have come by 25+ points. The Illini defeated Chicago State, 117-64 (+53), recorded an historic 109-77 (+32) victory at No. 9 Oregon, earned a 91-52 (+39) home win over Penn State, and rolled to a 94-69 (+25) victory at Indiana. The Illini have led by 25+ points in nine games this season.

Illinois is averaging 85.2 points, the team’s highest output since the 1988-89 Flyin’ Illini averaged 86.4 ppg. Illinois is on pace for the No. 6 scoring offense mark in program history.

Illinois ranks second in the Big Ten with a scoring margin of +15.2 points. That is on pace for No. 3 in the Illini record book behind the 1942-43 team, which outscored opponents by 20.6 points per game, and the 2004-05 Illini that posted a scoring margin of +15.9 ppg., the team’s best mark since 1960.

Illinois leads the nation in rebounding at 45.6 boards per game, on pace for the program’s best average in 53 seasons, since ( 48.0 rpg in 1971-72). The Orange and Blue have outrebounded their opponent in 18 of 21 games this season.

The Illini rank No. 12 in KenPom adjusted defensive efficiency (93.7), on pace for its highest ranking since reaching seventh during the 2021 season, and the second-best number of the Underwood era (88.9 in 2021).

Illinois is sixth nationally in KenPom’s effective field goal percentage defense (.439), ranking seventh in 3-point defense (.284) and 15th in 2-point defense (.445). Illinois and Florida are the only two programs to rank in the top 15 of both categories.

According to KenPom, the Illini rank third nationally, and first among Power Conference programs, with a 3-point attempt rate (3-point attempts/total field goal attempts) of 30.1%. Among major conference teams, Illinois ranks first nationally with five games of 15+ made 3-pointers.

Illinois is 3-3 against Top-25 ranked teams this season with wins over No. 19 Arkansas, No. 20 Wisconsin, and at No. 9 Oregon. The Illini’s three ranked wins are tied for 10th most in the nation.

Brad Underwood has led the Illini program to Top-25 rankings in seven consecutive seasons, currently at No. 18 in the latest AP poll and 20th in the coaches poll. Illinois has been ranked for a total of eight weeks this season, including an active streak of six -consecutive weeks, and has reached as high as 13th.

Illinois has registered 75 wins in league play since the start of the 2019-20 season, one behind Purdue for the most in the conference over the last six seasons. And when including the conference tournament, the Illini have 80 wins during this time span, also one behind Purdue’s mark.

The Illini won the 2024 Big Ten Tournament championship as the #2 seed, captured the regular season championship in 2022, and led the conference in wins while adding a B1G Tournament crown in 2021, and the team’s three total championships during that span are tied with Purdue for the most in the Big Ten.

Following the 2024 Elite Eight appearance and Big Ten Tournament Championship, Illinois has a dramatically different roster this season. The program returns just one rotation player – last year’s ninth-leading scorer Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn – and returns just 2.9% of its minutes, 2.2% of its points, and 2.0% of its rebounds overall.

Eight different Illini players have recorded a 20-point game this season, tied for the top mark in the NCAA, and the most by any Big Ten program since at least 2004-05.

Newcomers to the Illini roster have accounted for 91.5% of the team’s scoring so far (1,619 of 1,770 total points), with UI freshmen accounting for 40.5% of those points (656).

Four of the Illinois’ top scorers and rebounders are all in their first year of collegiate basketball. Freshman G Kasparas Jakucionis ranks first in scoring (16.0 ppg) and third in rebounding (5.8 rpg). Sophomore C Tomislav Ivisic nearly averages a double-double at 13.0 points (second on team) and team-leading 8.5 rebounds. Freshman F Will Riley is the Illini’s No. 4 scorer at 10.4 points per game. And Freshman F Morez Johnson Jr. ranks second on the team at 6.5 rebounds per game with a team-leading 52 offensive boards (2.5 per game).

At 16.0 points per game, point guard Kasparas Jakucionis is on pace to break the Illini freshman scoring average record of 15.9 ppg set by Kiwane Garris 31 years ago.

Jakucionis has posted four game this season with 20+ points, 6+ rebounds and 5+ assists, tied for third nationally with Auburn fifth-year senior Johni Broome and Purdue junior Braden Smith.

Jakucionis scored 20+ points in six straight games from Nov. 25-Dec. 22, shattering the Illini freshman record for consecutive 20-point games (previous record was two).

Jakucionis became the fourth Big Ten freshman since 1996-97 with at least six-straight 20-point games, and the first to do so since Indiana’s Eric Gordon had seven in a row in 2007.

Jakucionis has eight 20-point games this season, tying the Illini all-time record for 20-point games by a freshman with Cory Bradford who set the current mark as a redshirt freshman in 1998-99.

Over his last 14 games, Jakucionis is averaging 17.9 points (251), 5.7 rebounds (81), and 5.2 assists (73), knocking down an average of 2.3 threes per game (32) on 39.0% from 3-point range (32-82) along with 87.5% from the foul line (63-72).

Tomislav Ivisic is the No. 6 rebounder in the Big Ten at 8.5 rpg. Ivisic has led the Illini rebounding effort, which ranks No. 1 nationally in total rebounds per game, in 11 of the 18 games in which he has played.

Ivisic, classified as sophomore in his first season of collegiate competition, has recorded seven double-doubles through 18 games, ranking fifth in the Big Ten, tied for 40th in the NCAA overall, and tied for first among power conference underclassmen.

Ben Humrichous has knocked down at least one 3-pointer in 19 of 21 games this season. He leads the team and ranks 13th in the Big Ten averaging 2.0 triples per contest.

After opening the year averaging 7.1 points and 5.0 rebounds in eight games, Tre White has found a rhythm on the court for the Illini. Beginning with a 23-point, 8 rebound effort vs. #20 Wisconsin on Dec. 10, White is averaging 12.1 points (157) and 6.2 rebounds (80) over the last 13 games, scoring in double figures seven times.

During that same 13-game stretch, Kylan Boswell is averaging 13.9 points (181), 6.4 rebounds (83), and 3.9 assists (51). He scored a career-high 22 points in the Illini’s win at Indiana (Jan. 14).

Boswell recorded the seventh triple-double in Illinois history and fifth of the Underwood era against Chicago State (Dec. 29), tallying 18 points, career-high 10 rebounds, and career-high 10 assists.

Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn continues to make a big impact off the bench for the Illini in his sophomore season. Over his last 11 games, Gibbs-Lawhorn is averaging 10.4 points (114) while shooting 54.5% (42-77) from the field.

Morez Johnson Jr. is also excelling for the Illini. Over his last 11 games Johnson is averaging 8.0 points (88) and 6.9 rebounds (76), highlighted by a 20-point, 11-rebound double-double in the win over Penn State (Jan. 8), and a 15-point, nine-rebound effort in his second-career start vs. Northwestern on Jan. 26.

Johnson, at 6.5 rebounds per game, is on track for the fourth-best freshman mark in Illini history.

Johnson posted his third double-double of the season in Illinois’ Jan. 8 win over Penn State, recording a career-high 20 points and pulling down a game-high 11 rebounds.

Through 21 games, Johnson has recorded 26 total blocks, tied for seventh in the Illini freshman record book with Giorgi Bezhanishvili (2018-19). Johnson is on pace to finish his freshman season third among Illini freshmen all-time behind only Deon Thomas (54 in 1990-91) and Kofi Cockburn (44 in 2019-20).

Illinois leads the Big Ten in seven team statistical categories, with the following NCAA rankings: total rebounds per game (1st in NCAA; 45.6), defensive rebounds per game (1st; 31.8), rebound margin (1st; 11.7), 3-point attempts per game (4th; 31.5), 3-point percentage defense (10th; .284), offensive rebounds per game (22nd; 13.8), and field goal percentage defense (25th; .397).

Three Illini scored 20+ points vs. Penn State – Ben Humrichous (21), Morez Johnson Jr. (20) and Tre White (20). It marked just the third time in the last 35 seasons that Illinois had a game featuring a trio of 20-point scorers.

Illinois’ 32-point road win over #9 Oregon was the largest margin of victory ever by a road team over an AP Top-10 opponent, and the largest road win in Illinois program history against any top-25 opponent.

In their 109-77 win at #9 Oregon, Illinois became the first Big Ten team since Feb. 9, 1989, to record 100+ points in a Top-10 road win (No. 10 Michigan defeated No. 8 Iowa, 108-107).

Illinois also posted a dominant 94-69 win at Indiana on Jan. 14. The 25-point margin of victory was the second-largest for a Hoosiers’ opponent in Assembly Hall history, while Illinois’ 94 points marked the most ever scored by a visiting team in a regulation game at Assembly Hall.

Ohio State Buckeyes vs Illinois Fighting Illini Prediction, Odds and Picks

Ohio State has one thing on their mind heading into Sunday’s matchup against Illinois and that’s walking out with a victory against a ranked opponent. Ohio State has won 3 in a row, which includes an upset over then No. 11 Purdue, and they’re hoping to stay dialed in against a very good Illinois team. Illinois has lost 2 out of their last 3 games, and they hope to get a winning streak going before their season slips away from them. Ohio State has turned around their season with strong defense, so will they be able to keep things moving in their favor? Let’s find out as we dive into our Ohio State vs Illinois prediction.

Ohio State guard, Bruce Thornton, has been playing exceptionally well this season. The Junior averages 17 points and 3.2 rebounds per game, which leads this Buckeyes team. As for Illinois, they are loaded with talent, having five players who average double digits per game, which could give this Buckeyes team a run for their money. The Buckeyes average 79.9 points per game while giving up 71, and the Fighting Illini are averaging 85.8 points per game while giving up 69.5 points per game on average. Both offenses have been playing exceptionally well, and Illinois has one of the best offenses in all of the NCAA, but I think Ohio State has been playing slightly better as of late, and with players like Thornton and Mobley Jr., I think Ohio State could stick around in this game to the very end. This spread is a little bit too big in my opinion against a solid Ohio State squad, which is why I’ll be backing them as my best bet of the day.

Ohio State vs Illinois prediction: Ohio State +6.5 (-110) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.

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The Ohio State Buckeyes will face off against the Illinois Fighting Illini in a highly anticipated college football matchup this weekend. Both teams are coming off strong performances and will be looking to secure a crucial win in their conference.

The Buckeyes are currently ranked 6th in the nation and are favored to win this game. Led by star quarterback Justin Fields, Ohio State’s offense has been explosive, averaging over 40 points per game. Their defense has also been solid, holding opponents to just 21 points per game.

On the other hand, the Fighting Illini have had a mixed season so far, with a record of 2-3. However, they are coming off a big upset win against Nebraska and will look to carry that momentum into this game. Illinois’ offense is led by quarterback Brandon Peters, who has shown flashes of brilliance throughout the season.

In terms of odds, Ohio State is currently listed as a heavy favorite, with a spread of -21.5 points. The over/under for total points scored is set at 63.5.

Prediction:
Despite Illinois’ recent success, Ohio State’s high-powered offense and strong defense should be too much for the Fighting Illini to handle. I predict that the Buckeyes will come out on top in this game, covering the spread and securing a comfortable victory.

Pick: Ohio State Buckeyes -21.5

Odds: Ohio State -21.5, Over/Under 63.5

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Ohio State Buckeyes, Illinois Fighting Illini, college football, prediction, odds, picks, Big Ten Conference, game preview, betting analysis, sports betting, football predictions, NCAA football

#Ohio #State #Buckeyes #Illinois #Fighting #Illini #Prediction #Odds #Picks

February 2, 2025

Good Morning, Illini Nation: Fred Hoiberg weighs in on Illinois | Content

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Welcome to “Good Morning, Illini Nation,” your daily dose of college basketball news from Illini beat writer and AP Top 25 voter Scott Richey. He’ll offer up insights every morning on Brad Underwood’s team and college basketball at large:

The first question to Nebraska coach Fred Hoiberg on Wednesday in Lincoln, Neb., was about Illinois. Specifically the challenges the Illini might present in Thursday’s game at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

“A lot jumps out on problems they can cause,” Hoiberg told reporters. “First of all, they play with a lot of pace. We’ve got to do a good job of getting back in transition. They really share it. They do a good job of creating threes.

“(Kasparas) Jakucionis is incredibly impressive at the point guard position for his age. He’s a wizard in ball screens. We’re going to have to do a good job not only trying to contest shots, but contest passes and buy rotations time and close out with urgency.”

Jakucionis’ playmaking and the Illini’s shot making potential were just two aspects of Thursday’s matchup that give Hoiberg pause. Rebounding is another.

“The other thing with Illinois is they are relentless on the glass,” the Cornhuskers coach said. “They had 21 offensive rebounds in their last game against Northwestern. They had 15 at Michigan State, which is damn near impossible to do with that team and their physicality.

“They lead the nation in rebound margin, and they crash everybody. They don’t send anybody back. They all five crash, and if we don’t make contact and play physical it’s going to be a long day.”

Check out Hoiberg’s full press conference here:

Good Morning, Illini Nation!

Former NBA player and current head coach of the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Fred Hoiberg, recently shared his thoughts on the University of Illinois basketball program. Hoiberg, who played college basketball at Iowa State and later coached the Chicago Bulls, had high praise for the Illini team and their head coach, Brad Underwood.

In a recent interview, Hoiberg commended Underwood for his leadership and the way he has built a strong and competitive team in Champaign. He highlighted the talent and depth of the Illini roster, particularly singling out standout players like Ayo Dosunmu and Kofi Cockburn.

Hoiberg also mentioned the exciting rivalry between Nebraska and Illinois, noting the intensity and competitiveness of their matchups. He expressed his respect for the Illini program and their passionate fan base, acknowledging the team’s potential to make a deep run in the NCAA tournament.

As a former player and coach with experience at both the college and professional levels, Hoiberg’s insights into the Illinois basketball program carry weight. It’s always great to hear positive feedback from respected figures in the basketball world, and it’s clear that the Illini are making a strong impression on Hoiberg and others around the country.

So, Illini Nation, let’s continue to support our team and show the rest of the college basketball world what we’re made of. With the guidance of Coach Underwood and the talent on our roster, the future looks bright for Illinois basketball. Go Illini!

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January 31, 2025

Fighting Illini Earn First Big Ten Road Win With Dominant Victory Over Indiana

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Illinois led for the final 38 minutes of play en route to an emphatic 68-54 road win over Indiana at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Thursday night.

Ahead by as many as 15 in the contest, the Fighting Illini improved to 13-4 overall and 3-3 in conference play with their first Big Ten road victory of the campaign.

Four scorers for the Orange and Blue finished in double figures as the Illini recorded their largest margin of victory against the Hoosiers away from home since 1999.

Kendall Bostic marked her return to her home state with a dominant 21-point, eight-rebound performance. A pest in the paint from start to finish, Bostic went 9-for-19 from the field, dished out three assists, and made one block while playing all 40 minutes.

After totaling 11 points in the first quarter, Adalia McKenzie tallied 15 points for her eighth-straight outing in double figures. Three of her five rebounds came on the offensive glass, and she amassed four assists.

Berry Wallace scored in double figures for the second time in her career and for the first time in Big Ten play, pouring in 13 points off the bench. A stretch of five-consecutive points in the fourth quarter swung the momentum back in the Illini’s favor, and the freshman also connected on three 3-pointers, going 3-for-3 from deep, and finished with four rebounds and a steal.

Genesis Bryant ended the night with 12 points while equaling her season-best total with seven assists. She also corralled three rebounds and snatched a steal.

Jasmine Brown-Hagger logged seven points, including five in the fourth quarter, along with four assists, two rebounds, and a steal.

The Hoosiers scored on their first possession of the night, but the Illini did not trail for long. A 19-2 run over the next five-and-a-half minutes gave the visitors a double-digit lead, 19-5. Bostic and McKenzie each logged seven points during that stretch, which saw the Orange and Blue make eight of their first 11 shots from the field.

McKenzie became the game’s first scorer to move into double figures with just over two minutes left in the opening frame. The Illini maintained their double-digit edge, storming into the second quarter with a 25-14 lead.

After Illinois extended its advantage up to 15 by scoring the first four points of the second period, Bostic joined McKenzie in double figures with just over four minutes left in the frame. Bostic ultimately scored the Illini’s final four points of the first half, helping the away side go into the break with a 35-22 advantage.

Bostic and McKenzie led the way offensively for the Orange and Blue, combining for 26 of the Illini’s 35 first-half points. Registering an assist on 11 of 16 made field goals across the first 20 minutes of action, Illinois shot 60% from 3-point range ahead of halftime.

Picking up where she left off, Bostic scored six of the Illini’s first eight points of the second half to allow the Orange and Blue to maintain their double-digit lead. A stretch of seven-straight makes from the Hoosiers reduced the hosts’ deficit down to single digits, 45-37, for the first time in over 20 minutes of game time.

After the Illini took a timeout, Wallace drilled her second 3-pointer less than 15 seconds later to push the visitors’ edge back up to 11 with just over two minutes left in the third quarter. A 4-1 Indiana run to close the frame sent the sides into the fourth quarter with Illinois in front, 49-41.

The Hoosiers cut their deficit to four early in the final frame, but a stretch of five-straight points from Wallace carried the Illini’s lead back into double figures. After making a steal and a transition layup, Wallace followed it up by knocking down a 3-pointer less than 20 seconds later. That momentum swing extended the Orange and Blue’s edge to 55-45 with 6:08 left to play.

A buzzer-beating Indiana 3-pointer cut the home side’s deficit back to seven, but Brown-Hagger accounted for the game’s next five points, including a corner three, to re-establish Illinois’ double-digit advantage, 62-50, with three-and-a-half minutes remaining in the contest.

Bryant and McKenzie’s back-to-back buckets brought the Orange and Blue back up by 12 with under one minute to go, sealing the team’s first conference road win of the year.

Illinois plays host to a ranked opponent for the third time this season on Sunday, when No. 22 Michigan State makes the trip to Champaign. The opening tipoff between the Fighting Illini and Spartans at State Farm Center is set for 2 p.m. CT on B1G+, with tickets available at the door or online at FightingIllini.com.

HIGHLIGHTS

POSTGAME RADIO INTERVIEW

Coming soon.

POSTGAME NOTES

Player Notes:

Kendall Bostic scored a game-high 21 points to go along with eight rebounds, three assists and a block.
- Recorded her fourth 20-point game of the season and her eighth such performance of her career.
  - Scored in double figures for the 15th time this season and for the 64th time in her career.
    - Has eclipsed the 10-point mark in 14 of her last 15 games.
- Now has at least six rebounds in all 17 games this season.
  - Continues to climb the program’s all-time rebounding list:
    - 1. Jenna Smith (2006-10) – 1,217
    - 2. Kendall Bostic (2021-pres.) – 1,182

Jasmine Brown-Hagger scored seven points and added two rebounds and four assists.
- Has at least three assists in three-straight games, a season-long streak.

Genesis Bryant scored 12 points while dishing out seven assists.
- Scored in double figures for the 12th time this season and the 62nd time in her career.
- Her seven assists match a season-high mark.

Adalia McKenzie scored 15 points while posting five rebounds and four assists.
- Finished in double figures for the 14th time this season and for the 70th time in her career.
  - Has 10+ points in eight-straight games.
- Three of her rebounds came off the offensive glass.
- Fourth game this season with at least four assists.
- Has at least three assists in two-straight games.

Berry Wallace came off the bench to score 13 points and secure four rebounds.
- First Illini off the bench, checking in at 6:19 in the first quarter.
- Scored in double figures for the second time this season and for the first time during Big Ten play.
- Matched her career high with three 3-pointers made.

Team Notes:

The Hoosiers won the opening tip, and Indiana opened the scoring on a 3-pointer on its first possession.

Illinois’ 14-point margin of victory is the largest over Indiana at Assembly Hall since a 14-point victory on Feb. 11, 1996.
- Just the fifth time the Illini have defeated the Hoosiers by double digits on the road.

Illinois held Indiana to 54 points, the Hoosiers’ lowest point total at Assembly Hall since scoring 46 points vs. Michigan State on Dec. 28, 2017.
- Fewest points allowed by the Illini in a game at Assembly Hall since holding the Hoosiers to 50 on Jan. 7, 2010.

The Illini had four double-figure scorers (Bostic, Bryant, McKenzie, Wallace).

Illinois used an extended 19-2 run from 9:22 to 3:50 in the first quarter to jump out to a 19-5 lead.
- The Illini went 8-for-11 from the field during this stretch while holding Indiana to 1-for-9 from the floor and forcing them to commit four turnovers.
- Illinois also went on a 13-0 run during that stretch over 3:15.
  - Went 3-for-3 from beyond the arc during that span.

The Orange and Blue’s 25 points in the first quarter tied the most points scored by the Illini at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, while the +11 margin in the opening frame is the largest in any quarter by Illinois at this facility.

Illinois closed the game on a 6-0 run, holding Indiana scoreless over the final 2:08 of the ballgame.
- Overall, the Illini made their final seven shots from the floor.

The Illini out-rebounded the Hoosiers 28-26, including a 5-3 advantage in offensive boards.
- The Illini turned those five o-boards into four second-chance points.

Illinois forced Indiana into 14 turnovers on the night.
- The Illini have forced double-digit turnovers in all 17 games this season.
- Scored 14 points off of those takeaways.
  - By comparison, Indiana scored just three points on six Illinois turnovers.

The Illini assisted 18 times on their 27 field goals.

Misc. Notes:

Starters: Genesis Bryant, Jasmine Brown-Hagger, Adalia McKenzie, Brynn Shoup-Hill, Kendall Bostic
- This lineup is now 6-2 on the season.

Shauna Green is now:
- 54-29 at Illinois
- 22-20 in Big Ten play
- 181-79 as a Division I head coach
- 210-104 overall
- Illinois vs. Indiana: 32-49 (81st meeting)
- Shauna Green‘s coaching record vs. Indiana: 2-3
  - The Illini have won two-straight over the Hoosiers for the first time since capturing back-to-back wins on Feb. 12, 2012, and Feb. 23, 2013.
- Illinois is now 11-28 against Indiana when playing on the road.
  - The Illini earned their first win in Bloomington since Feb. 12, 2012.

The Illini have held opponents at/below 15 points in 40 of 68 regulation periods.

Illinois is now 3-2 when wearing blue uniforms this season.

The Illini are now 8-1 in games starting after 5 p.m. CT this season.

Illinois is now 5-0 in games played on Thursdays this season.

The Illini are now 2-1 in January.

Illinois is now 2-1 during the 2025 calendar year.

        Score after 1st Quarter: 25-14

        Score at Halftime: 35-22 (10-8 Q2)

        Score after 3rd Quarter: 49-41 (14-19 Q3)

        Score after 4th Quarter: 68-54 (19-13 Q4)

The Fighting Illini basketball team made a statement on Monday night as they earned their first Big Ten road win of the season with a dominant 91-65 victory over Indiana.

Led by Ayo Dosunmu’s 30 points, the Illini came out firing on all cylinders from the opening tip. They shot an impressive 57% from the field and 45% from beyond the arc, outscoring the Hoosiers in every quarter.

Defensively, Illinois put on a clinic, holding Indiana to just 38% shooting and forcing 15 turnovers. Kofi Cockburn made his presence felt in the paint with 15 rebounds and 5 blocks, anchoring a stifling defense that frustrated the Hoosiers all night.

This win was a significant milestone for the Fighting Illini, who have struggled on the road in conference play this season. It also marked their fifth consecutive victory, solidifying their position as a top contender in the Big Ten.

With performances like this, Illinois is proving that they are a force to be reckoned with as they continue their quest for a conference title and beyond. Go Illini! #IlliniBasketball #BigTenWin #DominantVictory

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January 19, 2025

Spartans vs Fighting Illini Prediction: Odds, Expert Picks, Betting Trends and Stats

The Big Ten men’s basketball season continues this afternoon as the Fighting Illini (5-2, 13-4) travel to East Lansing to take on the Spartans (6-0, 15-2).

Illinois blew out Indiana at Assembly Hall Tuesday night, 94-69. Kylan Boswell led the way with 22 points and 7 boards for Illinois. The Spartans’ last game was also on the road and was also a win. Michigan State knocked off Ohio State in Columbus, 69-62. Senior Szymon Zapala scored 15 for Sparty.

The Spartans’ record in their last ten games is 9-1 while the Fighting Illini’s record is 4-0 in their last 5 tilts. The Fighting Illini are 3-1 on the road this season while the Spartans are 9-0 at home.

Lets dive into the matchup and offer some information and possibly a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch the opening tip, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Game details & how to watch Fighting Illini at Spartans

Date: Sunday, January 19, 2025
Time: 12:00PM EST
Site: Jack Breslin Students Events Center
City: East Lansing, MI
Network/Streaming: CBS

Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest scores and player news. Check out our day-by-day NCAA Basketball Schedule Page that includes live game updates.

Game odds for Fighting Illini at Spartans

The latest odds as of Sunday courtesy of BetMGM:

Bet the Edge is your source for all things sports betting. Get all of Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick’s insight weekdays at 6AM ET right here or wherever you get your favorite podcasts.

Expert picks & predictions for Illinois at Michigan State

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NCAA calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, injuries, and the schedule.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Fighting Illini vs Spartans Best Bets

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Fighting Illini & Spartans game:

Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Michigan State at -2.5.
Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 156.5.

Fighting Illini vs Spartans: Top betting trends and recent stats

Michigan State has won 18 of its last 20 home games following a win
The UNDER is 4-1 in Michigan State’s last 5 home games
Michigan State has covered the spread in 8 of its last 10 games against teams with winning records

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NCAA Basketball Top Trends Tool on NBCSports.com!

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The highly anticipated matchup between the Michigan State Spartans and the Illinois Fighting Illini is set to take place this weekend, and fans are buzzing with excitement. Both teams have had their share of ups and downs this season, making this game a must-watch for college football enthusiasts.

The Spartans are coming off a tough loss to Ohio State, while the Fighting Illini are riding high after a convincing win over Rutgers. With both teams looking to make a statement in this game, it’s sure to be a thrilling showdown.

According to the latest odds, the Spartans are favored to win this matchup, but the Fighting Illini are not to be underestimated. With their strong defense and explosive offense, they have the potential to pull off an upset against their rivals.

Our expert picks are split on this game, with some predicting a close victory for the Spartans and others leaning towards the Fighting Illini. It’s sure to be a tight contest, and anything can happen on the field.

Betting trends show that the majority of bettors are putting their money on the Spartans to cover the spread, but there is also a significant number of wagers on the Fighting Illini to pull off the upset.

Key stats to watch in this game include the Spartans’ passing game, led by quarterback Payton Thorne, and the Fighting Illini’s rushing attack, spearheaded by running back Chase Brown. Whichever team can control the line of scrimmage and make big plays on offense will likely come out on top.

Overall, this game promises to be a thrilling battle between two talented teams. Be sure to tune in and see who comes out on top in this Spartans vs Fighting Illini showdown.

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January 19, 2025

Illinois Starters Last Game
Pos.	No.	Name	Ht.	Yr.	PPG	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	Season Note
G	1	Genesis Bryant	5-6	5th	14.4	3.6	2.9	1.2	0.1	Became the 34th player in program history to score 1,000 points as an Illini
G	8	Jasmine Brown-Hagger	5-9	So.	9.8	2.2	2.1	1.1	0.0	Has scored in double figures three times since entering the starting lineup on Dec. 12
G	24	Adalia McKenzie	5-10	Sr.	13.1	4.8	2.6	1.2	0.1	Posted her first double-double of the season at Canisius on Dec. 2
F	23	Brynn Shoup-Hill	6-3	Sr.	4.8	6.6	1.1	0.4	1.0	Equaled her career-best mark with three blocks vs. Southern Indiana on Dec. 15
F	44	Kendall Bostic	6-2	5th	15.7	11.3	1.4	0.5	0.9	Ranks second in program history in career double-doubles and rebounds

Head Coach Shauna Green

Career Record: 209-104 (.668), 11th season

Division I Record: 180-79 (.695), Ninth season

At Illinois: 52-29 (.646), Third season

Big Ten Record: 21-20 (.512), Third season

OPENING TIP

The 51st campaign of Fighting Illini women’s basketball resumes with Illinois taking on Indiana away from home on Thursday at 6 p.m. CT on Peacock. Mike Koon will call the action for the Illini on the Busey Bank Illini Sports Network (1400 AM / 93.9 FM). Streaming, audio and stats links are also available at FightingIllini.com/wbb.

Illinois won 10 games before Christmas (Dec. 25) for the first time since 2022-23 and for the second time since 2006-07.

Illinois has earned a win over a ranked opponent for the third consecutive season under Green.

Head coach Shauna Green earned her 200th win as a head coach on Nov. 14, 2024 vs. Eastern Illinois.

The Fighting Illini have now been ranked in the Top 25 in all three seasons under Green.

Illinois faced a ranked team in its Big Ten opener for the third straight season (#12/7 Ohio State, –/25 Michigan, #5/4 Indiana).

Illinois returned four 1,000-career point scorers, tied for the most in the NCAA with Baylor, Notre Dame, and Kansas State.

Illinois has won two Top-25 games in the same season for the first time since 2014-15.

Illinois’ seniors (Cook, Bryant, McKenzie, Shoup-Hill, Bostic) have a combined 421 career starts (395 at Illinois) and played a combined 563 games (435 at Illinois).

Kendall Bostic’s 1,238 career rebounds rank second of all active NCAA D1 players.

Illinois’ free throws made per game mark of 16.3 ranks 14th in the NCAA.

Illinois’ 12.8 turnovers per game rank 21st in the NCAA.

Illinois’ free throw percentage of 79.3% ranks 6th in the NCAA and leads the Big Ten.

Eight different Illini scorers have posted double-digit points in a game this season: Bostic, Bryant, Brown-Hagger, Cook, Dolan, McKenzie, Shoup-Hill, Wallace.

The Fighting Illini return eight players from last year’s WBIT Championship team while adding six newcomers – four freshmen and two transfers – into the mix.

ABOUT THE OPPONENT

Indiana, winners of eight of its last nine games, enters Thursday’s contest with a 12-4 record and a 4-1 mark in conference play. The Hoosiers are 7-2 on their home court this season, which includes a victory over No. 24 Stanford.

With six players averaging at least nine points per game, Indiana is led by head coach Teri Moren, who is in her 11th season at the helm of the Hoosier program.

ALL-TIME SERIES INFORMATION

Thursday’s game marks the 81st meeting between the sides, with Indiana holding a 49-31 edge in the all-time series. Though Illinois won last year’s game in Champaign, the Hoosiers have won the last nine contests against the Illini in Bloomington. Indiana is 28-10 when hosting Illinois, with the Illini looking for their first road win against the Hoosiers since Feb. 12, 2012.

Since head coach Shauna Green took over at Illinois, both games played between the Illini and the Hoosiers at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall have been decided by six points or fewer.

LAST TIME OUT

Illinois earned its second ranked win of the season with a 62-57 victory over No. 23 Iowa at State Farm Center on Jan. 9.

Four Fighting Illini scorers finished in double figures as the Orange and Blue took down the ranked Hawkeyes and improved to 10-1 at home during the 2024-25 campaign.

Kendall Bostic secured her 10th double-double of the season, registering 17 points and 14 rebounds in the win. Going 8-for-12 from the field, Bostic also dished out three assists, made two steals, and bagged two blocks.

Scoring in double figures for the seventh-straight game, Adalia McKenzie ended the evening with 12 points, four rebounds, three assists, and a steal while playing lockdown defense from start to finish.

Genesis Bryant logged nine of her 12 points in the second half, including seven points in the fourth quarter alone. Bryant also amassed a season-high four steals, three rebounds, and two assists.

Jasmine Brown-Hagger tallied 10 points, three assists, and a steal, while Berry Wallace collected seven points off the bench.

ILLINI CONTINUE TO BATTLE DESPITE INJURY BUG

Through the team’s first 16 games of the season, Illinois has yet to have its full 14-player roster available. Holding an 12-4 record despite those setbacks, the Illini have remained resilient while battling injury issues throughout the first half of the campaign.

Seven different players have missed at least one game due to injury this season, including sophomore transfer center Lety Vasconcelos, who was expected to be a key piece in the rotation before suffering a season-ending ACL tear over the summer. On Jan. 8, the program announced that fifth-year Makira Cook (ongoing health condition) and sophomore Gretchen Dolan (knee) would both miss the remainder of the 2024-25 season.

Five-star freshman guard Berry Wallace (hand) missed seven of the first eight games, while junior forward Shay Bollin, who played in 29 games for the Illini last season, has yet to make an appearance during the 2024-25 campaign. Freshman Irene Noya Catoira sat out the first seven games of the year while recovering from injury, while guard Jasmine Brown-Hagger, who has since moved into the starting lineup, missed three games while working her way back from a concussion.

GREEN CONTINUES TO CLIMB PROGRAM’S ALL-TIME WIN LIST

Third-year head coach Shauna Green continues to move up the program’s all-time wins list. After the Fighting Illini defeated No. 23 Iowa on Jan. 9, Green posted her 53rd win at the helm of the program, which currently ranks as the sixth-most victories by an Illinois women’s basketball head coach.

ALL-TIME WINS BY ILLINOIS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL HEAD COACHES
Rank	Illini Head Coach	Wins	Number of Seasons	Tenure
1	Theresa Grentz	210	12	1995-2007
2	Laura Golden	83	6	1984-1990
3	Jane Schroeder	73	5	1979-1984
4	Jolette Law	69	5	2007-2012
5	Matt Bollant	61	5	2012-2017
6	Shauna Green	53	3 (Active)	2022-Present
7	Kathy Lindsey	50	5	1990-1995
8	Nancy Fahey	42	5	2017-2022
9	Carla Thompson	33	3	1976-1979
10	Steven Douglas	25	3	1974-1976

RANKED WINS UNDER COACH GREEN

For the first time since the 2014-15 campaign, the Fighting Illini have secured multiple ranked wins in a season following Illinois’ 62-57 home win over No. 23 Iowa on Jan. 9. The Orange and Blue defeated No. 19 Florida State, 83-74, at State Farm Center on Nov. 7 to open the 2024-25 regular season.

The victory marked the fourth such triumph under third-year head coach Shauna Green, who guided the Illini to ranked wins over No. 12 Iowa (Jan. 1, 2023) during the 2022-23 slate and No. 14 Indiana (Feb. 19, 2024) during the team’s 2023-24 schedule.

RANKED WINS UNDER HEAD COACH SHAUNA GREEN
Date	Opponent	Score	Location
Jan. 1, 2023	No. 12 Iowa	90-86	State Farm Center
Feb. 19, 2024	No. 14 Indiana	86-66	State Farm Center
Nov. 7, 2024	No. 19 Florida State	83-74	State Farm Center
Jan. 9, 2025	No. 23 Iowa	62-57	State Farm Center

ILLINOIS FINISHES NONCONFERENCE SLATE WITH 10 WINS

For just the fourth time in program history, Illinois registered 10 wins in nonconference play, equaling the program’s all-time record. The Fighting Illini last achieved the feat during the 2022-23 campaign in head coach Shauna Green‘s first season at the helm.

The Orange and Blue secured a 10-1 record against nonconference opponents, a stretch that included eight victories at home. Illinois opened its 2024-25 slate with a five-game homestand that featured three teams that played in the 2024 NCAA Tournament. Opening the season with a statement win over No. 19 Florida State, the Illini also earned triumphs against Marquette, Eastern Illinois, Le Moyne, and Oregon State in the team’s 5-0 start.

After going 1-1 at the Music City Classic with a victory over UMES and a loss to No. 14 Kentucky, Illinois closed its nonconference schedule without five more triumphs, a stretch that began with a road win over Canisius. Returning to State Farm Center, the Orange and Blue rattled off wins over Bradley, Southern Indiana, and Southern to move to 10-1 in nonconference play.

BOSTIC RANKS AMONG BEST IN THE NCAA

Fifth-year forward Kendall Bostic ranks in the top 10 in the NCAA in four statistical categories – double-doubles, defensive rebounding average, rebounding average, and total rebounds – in addition to being in the top 61 in field goals,field-goal percentage, and minutes per game. Bostic ranks third in the Big Ten in minutes played per game, unheard of for a post player.

BOSTIC RANKS AMONG BEST IN THE NCAA
Stat Category	NCAA Rank	B1G Rank	Value
Defensive Rebounds Per Game	3rd	1st	8.9
Double-doubles	6th	1st	10
Rebounds Per Game	6th	1st	11.3
Rebounds	10th	2nd	180
Field Goal Percentage	38th	5th	54.7
Field Goals	59th	7th	110
Minutes Per Game	61st	3rd	34.152

GREEN BECOMES JOINT-FASTEST ILLINI COACH TO 50 WINS

With Illinois’ 73-50 win over Southern Indiana on Dec. 15, third-year head coach Shauna Green secured her 50th win at the helm of the program. Needing only 77 games to achieve that feat, Green became the joint-fastest Fighting Illini women’s basketball coach in program history to reach 50 victories, tying the record that was set by Hall of Fame coach Theresa Grentz.

T1. 77 games: Shauna Green

T1. 77 games: Theresa Grentz

3. 83 games: Laura Golden

4. 94 games: Jane Schroeder

5. 102 games: Matt Bollant

6. 103 games: Jolette Law

7. 132 games: Kathy Lindsey

HOME-COURT ADVANTAGE

Starting the season 9-0 at home, Illinois won 13 consecutive games in State Farm Center between the end of the 2023-24 campaign and the first nine home games of the 2024-25 schedule. The streak ranks as the second-longest such stretch in program history and was the second-longest active streak in the Big Ten prior to the Illini’s defeat against Washington on Dec. 31. Illinois is 33-9 in home games under Shauna Green.

ILLINOIS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL LONGEST HOME WIN STREAKS
Streak	First Win	Last Win	Illini Head Coach
18 games	12/20/1997	1/5/1999	Theresa Grentz
13 games	2/19/2024	12/28/2024	Shauna Green
11 games	2/14/1986	1/30/1987	Laura Golden
10 games	11/20/1981	1/29/1982	Jane Schroeder

GREEN BECOMES FASTEST ILLINI COACH TO REACH 30 HOME WINS

With the Fighting Illini’s 70-52 victory over Bradley at State Farm Center on Dec. 12, Illinois moved to 30-8 in home games under third-year head coach Shauna Green. Needing only 38 home games to reach the 30-win mark, Green became the fastest Illini head coach to achieve the feat in program history, surpassing the previous mark by one game.

Green’s 2022-23 squad went 12-3 at State Farm Center in the first season under Green’s guidance, while last year’s 2023-24 Fighting Illini team recorded 12 home wins for the second-consecutive season, including two wins in the squad’s postseason run to the inaugural WBIT title. With the Orange and Blue starting 6-0 at State Farm Center during the 2024-25 campaign, the Illini clinched 30 home wins in the span of just 38 games under Green.

COACH GREEN RETURNS TO HER ALMA MATER

The No. 21-ranked Illini picked up their first true road win of the season on Dec. 2 in a 68-55 victory over Canisius as Illinois third-year head coach Shauna Green returned to her alma mater. The Fighting Illini were the first-ever Division I ranked team to play at the Golden Griffins’ Koessler Athletic Center.

Illinois forced a season-high 23 Canisius turnovers and scored 18 points off those takeaways, while the Orange and Blue led for a total of 39:33 in the contest and did not trail.

For the first time in her career as both an assistant and head coach, Shauna Green (the former Shauna Geronzin), coached against her alma mater, Canisius, on Nov. 26, 2023. The Illini won, 90-58.

Illinois made a return trip to Canisius during the team’s 2024-25 slate, with the Illini posting a 68-55 road win on Dec. 2.

Wearing No. 34 for the Griffs from 1998-2002, Green scored 2,012 career points, the most of any men’s or women’s player – a record which still stands. She also became the program’s all-time leading rebounder with 910 boards – a mark that now ranks second. Green was named 1999 MAAC Rookie of the Year and was also voted 2002 Canisius Female Athlete of the Year. She was a four-time All-MAAC selection and three-time All- MAAC First-Team honoree. She was enshrined into the Canisius Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.

ILLINI EARN SPOT IN AP POLL FOR FOUR CONSECUTIVE WEEKS

Fighting Illini women’s basketball was ranked in the Associated Press Top-25 Poll for four consecutive weeks and earned spots in the Weeks 2-5 polls.

The highest Illinois has been ranked under Green was the team’s 2024-25 Week 4 No. 19 mark, while the previous high of No. 21 came back during the 2022-23 campaign. The highest ranking in program history is No. 5, which came on Dec. 8, 1997.

Illinois has been ranked in nine combined AP polls under Green. In 2022-23, the Illini appeared in four Top-25 polls, followed by the preseason rankings in 2023-24, and most recently the Week 2-5 polls in 2024-25.

The Illini have now appeared in 72 AP polls all-time across 11 different seasons.

Week 2: No. 23

Week 3: No. 22

Week 4: No. 19

Week 5: No. 21

BOSTIC EARNS FIRST-CAREER B1G PLAYER OF THE WEEK AWARD (NOV. 25)

Kendall Bostic delivered a spectacular Week 2 performance on the court to earn the first Big Ten Player of the Week award of her career. The fifth-year senior led the Illini to a 2-0 week after averaging 28 points, 10 rebounds, and one steal while posting zero turnovers as the Fighting Illini climbed to 5-0 after downing their third 2024 NCAA Tournament team of the season.

The Kokomo, Ind., native shot 83.9% from the floor on 26-of-31 attempts and connected on all four of her free-throw attempts. No other Big Ten player was more efficient at a high volume than Bostic, as she made more combined field goals across the week (26) than all but two Big Ten players attempted. Additionally, she was the only Big Ten player with two 20-point games during the week.

In the Illini’s first game of the week, a blowout win over Le Moyne on Nov. 18, Bostic registered the 36^th double-double of her career, scoring 25 points (11-for-13 FG) and grabbing 12 rebounds in 23 minutes of action.

In Illinois’ handing of Oregon State on Nov. 22, Bostic became just the fourth player in program history to score 1,000 points and grab 1,000 rebounds as an Illini. Bostic is also now second on Illinois’ career rebounding list (1,045). She scored a career-high 31 points in the victory over the Beavers and grabbed eight rebounds in 32 minutes of work.

ILLINOIS WINS ALL FIVE GAMES DURING SEASON-OPENING FIVE-GAME HOMESTAND

Beginning the 2024-25 regular season with a stretch of five home contests, the Fighting Illini took care of business and went 5-0, which saw the Illini earn wins over three 2024 NCAA tournament teams.

Illinois started the campaign with a ranked victory over #19 Florida State (Nov. 7) before defeating Marquette by double digits three days later. Triumphs over Eastern Illinois (Nov. 14) and Le Moyne (Nov. 18) followed, and the Orange and Blue concluded their homestand with a dominant 19-point win over an Oregon State team that advanced to the Elite 8 at the 2024 NCAA tournament.

The victory over the Beavers (Nov. 22) helped the Illini improve to 5-0 on the season, marking the second 5-0 start under third-year head coach Shauna Green.

TOP HOME ATTENDANCES

Fighting Illini head coach Shauna Green has re-energized the women’s basketball fan base and delivered two of the top five home attendances in program history through just 70 games at Illinois. Green’s teams have drawn attendances of 13,486, 11,563, and 8,141 across the last three seasons – all three are in the top 13 of all-time largest home game attendances for the program.

The 2024 game vs. Le Moyne that drew 13,486 fans set a new single-game attendance record for home nonconference games at Illinois.

SINGLE-GAME ILLINOIS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL HOME ATTENDANCE TOP 5
Attendance	Opponent	Result	Illini Head Coach	Date
16,450 (sellout & old capacity)	Iowa	W, 86-73	Theresa Grentz	2/21/1999
16,050 (sellout & old capacity)	Purdue	L, 75-80	Theresa Grentz	2/23/1997
13,486	Le Moyne	W, 94-25	Shauna Green	11/18/2024
13,212	Ohio State	W, 70-61	Theresa Grentz	2/20/2000
11,563	Saint Peter’s	W, 103-33	Shauna Green	11/15/2023

COACH GREEN SECURES 200TH CAREER WIN

Fighting Illini women’s basketball head coach Shauna Green won the 200th game of her career on Nov. 14, 2024, with an 84-37 victory over Eastern Illinois. Of the 200 wins, Green won 44 of those as the head coach at Illinois. Green tallied 127 victories at Dayton (2016-22) and the first 29 tallies came during her tenure at Loras College (2005-07).

In terms of wins with her current assistant coaches, 126 victories came with DeAntoine “Cat” Beasley on the bench, followed by 123 with Calamity McEntire, 22 alongside Britney Anderson, 22 with Emily Durr as an assistant (70 total with her on staff), and three of those wins were accompanied by Liza Fruendt.

ILLINOIS OPENS REGULAR SEASON WITH RANKED WIN

The Fighting Illini started the 2024-25 season with a statement win, taking down No. 19/19 Florida State, 83-74, at State Farm Center on Nov. 7. Four Illini scored in double figures in the ranked nine-point win, including 20-point outings for both Makira Cook and Adalia McKenzie, while the home side never trailed in the contest.

Kendall Bostic (18 points) and Gretchen Dolan (11 points) also finished with double-digit points, which helped the Illini pick up a ranked win for the third consecutive season.

BOSTIC REACHES 1,000 CAREER REBOUNDS

Kendall Bostic became the fourth player in program history to reach 1,000 career rebounds with the Illini, achieving the feat during Illinois’ 83-74 victory over No. 19 Florida State on Nov. 7. Bostic joined Jenna Smith (1,217), Karisma Penn (1,043), and Cindy Dallas (1,014) on the exclusive list.

Bostic has continued to climb the program’s career rebounding list and now ranks second all-time.

RANKED WINS CONTINUE TO ROLL IN (NOV. 7)

With the Illini’s 83-74 season-opening victory over No. 19 Florida State on Nov. 7, Illinois has now registered a win over a ranked opponent for the third consecutive season, the longest streak since the 2005-06, 2006-07, and 2007-08 campaigns.

The streak began on Jan. 1, 2023, when the Illini took down No. 12 Iowa, 90-86, for the program’s first ranked win since 2019. Illinois defeated No. 16 Indiana on Feb. 19, 2024, in dominant fashion, 86-66, before Illinois’ win over the Seminoles solidified that three-season streak.

PRESEASON WATCH LISTS

All three returning fifth-year Illini players landed on Naismith Award position watch lists ahead of the 2024-25 campaign. Makira Cook (Point Guard), Genesis Bryant (Shooting Guard), and Kendall Bostic (Power Forward) each earned spots on the respective 20-player lists. Cook also was recognized to the Jersey Mike’s Naismith Women’s Player of the Year Watch List and Preseason All-Big Ten list for the second-consecutive year.

Freshman Berry Wallace was named to Shane Laflin’s (Premier Basketball/ESPNW) 2024 NCAA Expected Impact Freshman List, featuring 10 college newcomers.

1,000 POINT SCORERS & REBOUNDING

Entering the 2024-25 campaign, Illinois has four players with 1,000+ career points scored. All four (Bostic, Bryant, Cook, McKenzie) have now scored 1,000 during their Illini tenures as well.

To date, 34 Fighting Illini players have scored 1,000 points during their career at Illinois, and only four players have scored 1,000 points and grabbed 1,000 rebounds at Illinois. Kendall Bostic became the fourth player in program history to join the 1,000/1,000 club as an Illini, earning a spot on the exclusive list that features Jenna Smith, Karisma Penn, and Cindy Dallas.

Milestone Marks
Name	Career Points	Career Rebounds	Career Games/Starts	Points at Illinois	Rebounds at Illinois	Games/Starts at Illinois
Makira Cook	1,723	376	118/95	1,152	213	69/69
Adalia McKenzie	1,272	552	109/97	1,272	552	109/97
Genesis Bryant	1,262	298	115/69	1,183	261	81/69
Kendall Bostic	1,262	1,238	131/109	1,169	1,174	109/109

THE SHAUNA GREEN EFFECT

The Illini’s 41 overall wins in Green’s first two seasons were the program’s most over a two-year span since the 1998-99 and 1999-2000 campaigns, when Illinois recorded 42 combined victories under Hall of Fame coach Theresa Grentz.

Illinois’ 19 Big Ten regular-season victories over Green’s first two seasons are the program’s most over a two-year span since the 1999-2000 and 2000-01 campaigns, when Illinois totaled 20 conference wins under Hall of Fame coach Theresa Grentz.

HOME ATTENDANCE NUMBERS

Across 15 home games during the 2022-23 season, Illinois Women’s Basketball saw 52,295 fans fill the State Farm Center en route to a 12-3 record. That total attendance ranked 5th in program history and made Shauna Green the only head coach to bring in 50,000 or more fans in her first season with the Illini.

In Illinois’ 2023-24 season – and home – opener, the attendance of 2,680 marked the largest ticketed season-opening crowd at State Farm Center since 2000 (3,954). In the Illini’s 17 home games last season, Illinois finished with a combined attendance of 63,242 for an average of 3,720 a game. 63,242 is now the fifth-best all-time attendance.

Illinois’ season-opener against Florida State drew a crowd of 3,741 to surpass last year’s season-opening mark by over 1,000 fans. With 13,486 fans in attendance for Field Trip Day and 4,914 fans in the stands of State Farm Center for Pack the House, Illinois’ season average is 4,829 per game through 11 home regular-season contests.

CONTRACT EXTENSION

Illinois Director of Athletics Josh Whitman announced a two-year contract extension for women’s basketball head coach Shauna Green, which was approved by the University of Illinois Board of Trustees at its Nov. 14 meeting. Initially, the new agreement will keep Green on a six-year contract through at least the 2029-30 season. The agreement also provides Green the opportunity to earn up to four additional one-year extensions if certain performance thresholds are met.

Under Green, Illinois owns a 53-29 record, including a 21-20 mark in Big Ten play. In the first two years under Green, the Illinois women’s basketball team registered 41 wins, the first-ever postseason championship in program history (2024 WBIT), and back-to-back top-five season attendances in State Farm Center. Over the last three seasons, Illinois has delivered three upsets of AP Top-20 ranked teams: No. 12 Iowa (1/1/23), No. 14 Indiana (2/19/24), and No. 19 Florida State (11/7/24).

PRO ILLINI

Illinois women’s basketball is represented at the professional level across multiple continents. Former Illini center Camille Hobby joined the professional ranks after spending her fifth year of college at Illinois. Hobby plays for PAOK in Greece. Adrienne Williams Godbold, a guard at Illinois from 2009-13, plays in the Puerto Rican BSNF for Hatillo. Brandi Beasley, a guard at Illinois from 2016-20, plays for CJS Geispolsheim in France. Brittany Carter, who played at Illinois from 2014-15, now plays for GIE Cibao Immortals in the Dominican Republic and was the 2024 league MVP. Rebecca Harris, a guard at Illinois from 2006-08, plays for the Bay Area Phoenix in the Women’s Premier Basketball Association (WPBA), helping them to a championship. Harris has also played in the Athletes Unlimited League.

The Fighting Illini are heading east this Thursday as they prepare to clash with Indiana in a highly anticipated matchup. Both teams are coming off strong performances and are looking to continue their winning streaks.

Illinois is currently sitting at the top of the Big Ten standings with an impressive record, while Indiana is not far behind and hungry for a statement win at home.

This game is sure to be a thrilling showdown between two talented teams that are determined to come out on top. The Fighting Illini will need to bring their A-game if they want to secure a victory on the road.

Be sure to tune in this Thursday to see the Fighting Illini take on Indiana in what promises to be an intense and exciting battle on the court. It’s a game you won’t want to miss! #FightingIllini #Indiana #BigTenBasketball

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#Fighting #Illini #East #Thursday #Clash #Indiana

How Luke Altmyer became confident, comfortable in his own skin with Illini

ORLANDO, Fla. — There are moments when Chad and Betsy Altmyer remember a second-grade boy who was too shy to stand up in front of his class to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, deciding instead to take a zero on the exercise.

In so many ways, their son, Luke Altmyer, still is a a relatively quiet but confident young man. In other ways, Luke Altmyer couldn’t be more different.

Chad and Betsy couldn’t believe their son grabbed a microphone in the first half of a men’s basketball game with a spotlight shining down on him in front of more than 15,000 fans to triumphantly announce his return to the Illini as the team’s starting quarterback for one more year. They were a bit surprised to see their son in a Cheez-It commercial leading into Tuesday’s Cheez-It Citrus Bowl game against South Carolina.

“I think we see a lot of the things just like y’all see and sometimes we look at each other and go, ‘Man, I can’t believe that’s Luke,’ with some of the things that’s happened,” Chad Altmyer told Illini Inquirer. “We’ve had some great breaks this year and I guess you make your own breaks on the football field, but it’s like, ‘Dang, is that Luke doing that?’ Like at Rutgers or Purdue or those type games. He’s always been talented. He’s always been good. He’s just super talented.

Luke Altmyer, the quarterback for the University of Illinois football team, has recently opened up about his journey to becoming confident and comfortable in his own skin with the Illini.

Altmyer, a highly touted recruit out of high school, initially struggled to find his footing on the team. He faced challenges both on and off the field, leading to doubts about his abilities and place within the program.

However, through hard work, dedication, and the support of his coaches and teammates, Altmyer was able to overcome his insecurities and thrive as a player. He embraced his unique strengths and weaknesses, learning to trust in his skills and instincts.

As a result, Altmyer has become a leader on the team, inspiring his fellow players with his resilience and determination. He has found his voice both on and off the field, becoming a confident and respected member of the Illini community.

Altmyer’s journey serves as a powerful reminder that self-acceptance and confidence are key components of success. By embracing who he is and what he brings to the table, Altmyer has not only improved as a player but also as a person.

So here’s to Luke Altmyer, a shining example of how confidence and self-assurance can lead to greatness on and off the field. The Illini are lucky to have him, and we can’t wait to see what he accomplishes next.

Tags:

Luke Altmyer
Illini
Confidence
Comfort
Self-acceptance
Personal growth
Overcoming insecurities
College experience
Student athlete
Mental health journey

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December 31, 2024