All posts by kerdey@illinois.edu

Headlines

Another BigTen Win

Peyton Wesner

February 25, 2020

Men’s basketball reporter Peyton Wesner recaps the Fighting Illini’s 71-59 win over Nebraska as well as why head coach Brad Underwood believes his team will be in a ‘rhythm’ the remainder of the regular season.

Wesner Wrap: Scoring balance fuel Fighting Illini

Men's basketball reporter Peyton Wesner recaps the Fighting Illini's 71-59 win over Nebraska as well as why head coach Brad Underwood believes his team will be in a 'rhythm' the remainder of the regular season.

Posted by Illini Sports Night on Tuesday, February 25, 2020

Headlines

Tee Time in

Aloha, Illini!

Peyton Wesner – Producer and Men’s Basketball Reporter
February 19, 2020

The men’s golf team begins a three-day tournament in Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii, today. Ranked No. 40 by GolfStat.com, Illinois is coming off a second-place finish at the Mobile Sports Authority Intercollegiate earlier this month.

Senior Giovanni Tadiotto shot eight strokes under par (-8) at the event, the lowest of all Fighting Illini.

“We still need a couple of guys to have the ability to jump out and shoot some low scores and really take their game to the next level,” said Head Coach Mike Small last week. “We need someone to get that edge and start leading from the front.”

This is the Fighting Illini’s second trip to Hawaii during Small‘s twenty years at the helm. Small says the beauty of the Hawaiian event is it’s an exempted tournament, meaning it does not count against the number of tournaments his team can play.

Headlines

Ayo Dosunmu 24 Point Return!

Four Game Skid Stopped by Dosunmu’s Dominance

Peyton Wesner – Producer and Men’s Basketball Reporter
February 19, 2020

The Fighting Illini’s losing skid is no more. In Ayo Dosunmu’s triumphant return from injury, the sophomore guard powered Illinois in a 62-56 upset victory over No. 9 Penn State on Tuesday. The Morgan Park High School product netted 24 points, including a running floater that supplied a two-possession lead with 16.1 seconds remaining.

“You see why we miss Ayo when we don’t have him,” said head coach Brad Underwood postgame. “He elevates his game, he makes the right play, and he was spectacular tonight. He closes games like most players of his caliber do.”

Illinois’ win is it’s second over a top ten ranked team. The first came last December against No. 5 Michigan. The Fighting Illini will receive a well-deserved respite before returning to action against Nebraska on Monday, February 24.

Headlines

Play Ball!

“Craft Beer Night”

 

The latest game promotion at Illinois Field is Craft Beer Night on May 8 when Illinois hosts Michigan State  at 6pm. Local brewers Triptych and Blind Pig will each provide 3 craft bears for the evening.

Other notable games are Opening Day March 3, and Opening Weekend on March 21st.

Finally the Fighting Illini will wear special commemorative jerseys as part of Honor and Serve Day at Illinois Field for the 9th year in a row. Designed to honor University of Illinois student veterans and all of America’s military heroes along with serving the Champaign-Urbana community, this event will be held on Saturday, April 25, when Illinois hosts Northwestern at 3 p.m.

A full list of Illinois Field promotions are listed below.

Full Promotion Schedule

» Illinois Field Opening Day (March 3)
» Home Opening Weekend (March 21) – Schedule magnet giveaway
» Big Ten Home Opener (April 3)
» Mom’s Weekend (April 4) – Illinois baseball wine glass giveaway to moms in attendance
» Youth Day (April 5)
» Price Is Right Night (April 10)
» Bunny at the Ballpark (April 11-12)
» Bleacher Bum BBQ (April 24)
» Honor and Serve (April 25) – Camo rally towel giveaway
» Summer Fever & Scout Day (April 26) – Bucket hat giveaway
» Craft Beer Night (May 8)
» Bark In the Park (May 9) – Illinois baseball dog toy giveaway to dogs in attendance
» Senior Day (May 10)

 

Full Episodes

Illini Sports Night Premiere

Let’s Get This Started!

Show number 1 is on air and ready to go. In this episode, we discuss the moment a sold-out stadium fell silent against Michigan State.  Ayo Dosunmu silenced the State Farm Center when on the last play of the game he fell and needed help off the court. Contributor Peyton Wesner has more on that story.

Plus we have our first edition of Shot Clock with Nathan Dehaan. Alex Aguilera from the Daily Illini and Anthony Pasquale from Champaign Room join Nathan as they discuss the Men’s team.

 

And all shows come at an end with an Illinois story. For our first guest Deadspin founding editor Will Leitch talks with Jake Hasan about his career, his opinion on sports and of course Illinois.

All that and more on this premiere edition of Illini Sports Night.

Headlines

Comeback Falls Short Against UCF

Dancer: “One of the main reasons we brought him here.”

 

#Illini men’s tennis may have fell a little bit short today against No. 24 #UCF, but the way redshirt freshman Lucas Horve played in a high-pressure situation will only make him “tougher,” according to head coach Brad Dancer.

Even though Horve lost his comeback, Coach Dancer says there are two ways he can go, but Dancer is confident in which way he’s headed.

“Tough loss like that either kill you, or they make you tougher. And I think with Lucas, that’s one of the reasons we brought him here. He’s going to get tougher.”, said Dancer.

Illini returns to Atkin’s Tennis Center, Saturday at 2 pm. They will face Notre Dame and Chicago State.

Headlines

Two Ranked Teams Come Up Short

Illini Athletics: “4-0 start for @IlliniSB this Weekend” ~Twitter

Illini Softball had a winning weekend in Clearwater, Florida. Two of those wins came against two ranked teams. First  a 3-1 win against #21 ranked Ole Miss on Saturday. And then again Sunday over #23 Auburn. Illini also picked up wins against Liberty and South Alabama. Ending their weekend 4-0.

Kailee Powell secured the win when she knocked in a second run to defeat Auburn 2-0.

The Illini head to Raleigh, NC next weekend to take on Notre Dame and NC State.