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illini basketball news

Illini all-time leading scorer Deon Thomas joins UIC Coaching Staff

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Deon Thomas has landed a coaching gig at the University of Illinois. Just not in Urbana-Champaign. At the Chicago campus instead. When Assistant Coach Isaac Chew departed Illinois for Marquette, just weeks after he left Mizzou to join the Illini an assistant gig opened up under John Groce at Illinois. Paris Parham filled the position instead ofFlorida State assistant Dennis … [Read more...] about Illini all-time leading scorer Deon Thomas joins UIC Coaching Staff

9 things really wrong with Illini basketball right now

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Last night the #23 Illini lost at home to a Northwestern team that has their coach squarely on the hot seat, is reeling from injuries and without their best player in Drew Crawford. The loss was the third in a row by double digits for the Illini, and the three defeats have been even more lopsided than the scores indicate. This shouldn't be happening to a team that was ranked in … [Read more...] about 9 things really wrong with Illini basketball right now

Illini guard D.J. Richardson can’t seem to find his shot

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After starting 12-0 the Illinois Fighting Illini are 2-3 in their last 5. And one of those wins was rather ugly. A big reason for their recent struggles is the ramped up level of competition as Big Ten play has begun. But it's also they fact the team lives and dies by the three, and no one was more so than senior guard D.J. Richardson. Of all his field goal attempts on the … [Read more...] about Illini guard D.J. Richardson can’t seem to find his shot

#11 Illini crush #8 Ohio State, rebound literally and figuratively

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This is what it's like to rebound: both winning the battle on the glass and coming back from a loss. In their last three games (Mizzou, Auburn and Purdue) the Illini got owned on the backboards and went 1-2. In their Big Ten opener Illinois got upset by a .500 Purdue team. The loss was shocking, but the #11 Illini recovered nicely, CRUSHING the #8 Ohio State Buckeyes 74-55 in … [Read more...] about #11 Illini crush #8 Ohio State, rebound literally and figuratively

#12 Illini struggle too often in beating bad teams

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The 12th ranked Illinois Fighting Illini have struggled this pre-conference season in blowing out/closing out teams that are supposedly very inferior to them. When you're a top 15 ranked team, with very solid signature wins over #13 Gonzaga and #18 Butler, you should handle the mid-major and low-major scrubs very easily. But the Illini don't do that. They let bad teams hang … [Read more...] about #12 Illini struggle too often in beating bad teams

Illini seniors D.J. Richardson and Brandon Paul lead the way

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The Illinois Fighting Illini suffered their first loss last night to Mizzou, but they're still 12-1. And nationally ranked. I think any Illinois fan would have taken 12-1 at this point when the season started. This Illini team will go as far as their seniors will take them. And I'm not talking about Tyler Griffey. Four year starter guards D.J. Richardson and Brandon Paul are … [Read more...] about Illini seniors D.J. Richardson and Brandon Paul lead the way

#10 Illinois Fighting Illini suffer first loss to #17 Missouri

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Before we get to the breakdown of what happened in the Illinois Fighting Illini first loss, (Illinois was one of the last 6 unbeaten teams remaining in the nation) suffered at the hands of the Missouri Tigers 82-73, a few observations and notes on this series and rivalry overall, with updated stats. -Why is this even called the Braggin' Rights game? I mean seriously, how … [Read more...] about #10 Illinois Fighting Illini suffer first loss to #17 Missouri

’13 Illini hoops recruiting class gets even better

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The Tim Beckman hire is such a disaster that it requires FEMA aid, but so far the entrance of John Groce may be alright. It looks like this guy can really recruit. Monday afternoon Austin Colbert, a four-star center from Gill St. Bernards in New Jersey, announced his commitment to the Illini. He did it through Twitter; which is of course the new AP. Get ready "cuz this is … [Read more...] about ’13 Illini hoops recruiting class gets even better