The Daily Illini Sports

02/12/2024

“Still in the top eight in the conference, and you got to maybe keep your fingers crossed a little bit more."

Even though Illinois finished with a loss, it isn't the end until the tournament.

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20/11/2024

While Illinois hosted the ATP Paine Schwartz Partners Challenger last week, court time had to be rationed. With 32 singles players and 16 doubles teams in the main draw, players signed up for training time on four spare courts while the tournament played out on courts one and two. This presented the opportunity to hit with a wide range of professional players, and junior Kenta Miyoshi took full advantage.

“It’s always nice to practice with the guys who’ve played on tour,” Miyoshi said. “Good to practice with my teammates as well, but it just gives you a different intensity. I’ve also been enjoying those moments and trying to get some hits with other players.”

📲 Click the link to read the article: https://buff.ly/3YV38Rq

✍️ Written by Conor Blount
📸 Photo by Matt Stepp

20/11/2024

The Illini (9-8-3, 21 pts.) recorded a season-high 90 shots this weekend in their series against the Northern Illinois Huskies (8-9-1, 19 pts.). Despite the high volume of shots, Northern Illinois held Illinois to a season-worst one goal across the two-game set.

The two stats stand in direct opposition, yet they paint a picture of a surging offense shut down by sheer goaltending dominance.

Northern Illinois’ junior goaltender Matthew Jurgens was nothing short of a brick wall against Illinois. Jurgens stopped 50 of the 51 shots he faced on Friday and all 39 on Saturday.

The junior, who started the season on the Huskies’ Division III team, appeared in just his fifth Division I series in 2024.

📲 Click the link to read the article: https://buff.ly/3ANvVPM

✍️ Written by Brendan Gallian
📸 Photo by Cori Sebastian

19/11/2024

After the disappointments of last season, Illinois (3-0) had high hopes for its wrestling team this year after starting the season ranked No. 12 in the InterMat’s preseason rankings. So far, behind a deep and talented group, the team has lived up to its billing.

In their opening meet against the Southern Illinois Salukis, the Illini dominated all aspects of the dual. After a surprising opening loss by graduate transfer Ramazan Attasauov to SIUE freshman Drew Davis, redshirt senior Lucas Byrd responded with a win to put the Illini ahead 4-3. From there, the Illini never looked back, scoring 29 unanswered points in a 41-3 rout of the Salukis.

The Illini then traveled to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, for WrangleMania, where they competed in team and individual events. On the team side, the Illini delivered two blowout wins, one against Binghamton, 30-10, and then even more impressive — a 31-point commanding win against No. 21 Arizona State, 37-6.

📲 Click the link to read the article: https://buff.ly/4hWiXji

✍️ Written by Peter Jakubiak
📸 Photo by Eric Chiang

19/11/2024

No. 22 Illinois women’s basketball (4-0) continued its annual Field Trip Day dominance. The team beat Le Moyne (0-5) 94-25, holding the opponents to just two points in the second quarter. The win was the fourth-biggest margin of victory in team history.

Today’s game was the annual Field Trip Day at State Farm Center. Thousands of students from local grade schools, middle schools and high schools packed the arena. The official attendance number was 13,486, the third largest in the team’s history.

“I mean, it’s super fun, just the atmosphere,” said fifth-year forward Kendall Bostic. “There’s very few games in college that any athlete gets to play with an atmosphere like that. So, we just love it (and) embrace it.”

📲 Click the link to read the article: https://buff.ly/3AQ77GU

✍️ Written by Ben Somerville
📸 Photo by Jasmine Bawa

18/11/2024

"Illinois is Le Moyne’s first ranked opponent this season. With such a stark contrast in records, the game favors the hosts."

With the eighth annual Field Trip Day coming up, Illinois goes against the first ranked opponent of the season.

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18/11/2024

“Luke’s continued to be the guy we see at practice. He’s really diligent … I think today was one of those great examples of what you see during the course of the week is what you get during the game."

After one last game at Memorial Stadium, the Fighting Illini succeeded against the Michigan State Spartans.

For one final fight at Memorial Stadium, the Illini (7-3, 4-3) stepped up on both ends of the ball to defeat the Michigan State Spartans (4-6, 2-5), 38-16. The team has emphasized complementary football and playing for one another all season. On Saturday, that is exactly how Illinois succeeded again...

16/11/2024

A lot is at stake for the Illini this Saturday. Their matchup is more than just another chance to win, and a domino effect of events will happen following the final whistle. With the rest of the season hanging in the air, there are things to keep in mind as the Illini prepare for Saturday.

The impact the outcome of the Illini's final home game of the season can have.

Illinois (6-3, 3-3) is back at Memorial Stadium this Saturday against Michigan State (4-5, 2-4). With recent losses to Oregon and Minnesota, this week’s game is an opportunity for the Illini to turn a page. A lot is at stake for the Illini this Saturday. Their matchup is more than just another cha...

13/11/2024

Illinois volleyball (17-7, 9-5) has made waves in the Big Ten this season. Following a good weekend, Illinois is riding a two-game win streak, capped by a 3-0 sweep of Ohio State (11-13, 4-10).

Highlights from the match include junior outside hitter Averie Hernandez and freshman middle blocker Ashlyn Philpot leading Illinois with 11 kills each. Both players illustrated the offensive explosion that Illinois brings to every match.

Hernandez looked back on the season after the game and shared her mindset and focus on steady improvement. Her approach reflects the team’s strategy to stay grounded.

📲 Click the link to read the article: https://buff.ly/4hGFZKZ

✍️ Written by Lexie Breymeyer
📸 Photo by Elena Baker

12/11/2024

With only three games left in the season, the Illini (6-3, 3-3) still have a journey ahead. Two weeks ago, one could confidently say the Illini would win their last four games and end the season 10-2. But things have changed after back-to-back losses against Oregon and Minnesota.

However, there is still hope. With three games left and a bowl game in mind, here are the predictions for the remainder of Illinois’ season.

Michigan State at Memorial Stadium Nov. 16: Win

Nov. 16 is the last time the Illini will play at Memorial Stadium this season. It’s also their senior day. Both teams will enter this matchup on a two-game losing streak. The Spartans (4-5, 2-4) have struggled this year but should have their starting quarterback ready to play after an injury.

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✍️ Written by Laura Mendes
📸 Photo by Matt Stepp (.photos)

12/11/2024

The Illini (6-3, 3-3) have certainly had their ups and downs this season. Regardless of their final record, they’ve had many moments to look back on with pride. With just three games left, here are some of the best moments from Illinois football’s journey so far.

1: Clock hits 00:00, fans storm field after victory over Kansas

Around 60,000 fans packed into Memorial Stadium to see their beloved Illini battle the then No. 19 Kansas Jayhawks on Sept. 7. In a dogfight, the Illini played tough and confident against the ranked contender and came out with a 23-17 victory. When the clock rang out, fans flooded the turf to celebrate this momentous win with the team.

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✍️ Written by Tess Eken
📸 Photo by James Hoeck

11/11/2024

Illinois improved its pacing issues in the third and fourth quarters. Shoup-Hill was great in the paint, stacking up 11 points and six rebounds.

After a close game against Marquette, the Illinois women's basketball team shows the improvements that need to be made.

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09/11/2024

Illinois (2-0) returned to the State Farm Center on Friday night for the second game of their three-game opening homestand. The Illini took on the SIU Edwardsville Cougars (1-2), and just like the EIU Panthers on Monday, the Cougars were outmatched on both ends of the floor.

The Illini dominate the Cougars in basketball.

Illinois (2-0) returned to the State Farm Center on Friday night for the second game of their three-game opening homestand. The Illini took on the SIU Edwardsville Cougars (1-2), and just like the EIU Panthers on Monday, the Cougars were outmatched on both ends of the floor. Illinois outscored SIUE....

02/11/2024

Buckle up, because the Illini are back in action. The No. 24 Ole Miss Rebels match up with Illinois on Sunday. The affair marks Illinois fans’ first taste of the 2024-25 team.

Illinois plays exhibition match, gets first look at 2024 - 2025 team.

Buckle up, because the Illini are back in action. The No. 24 Ole Miss Rebels match up with Illinois on Sunday. The affair marks Illinois fans’ first taste of the 2024-25 team. Know the foe You can’t discuss Ole Miss basketball without referencing Chris Beard. The two-time Big 12 coach of the yea...

28/10/2024

"The Illini could not get the ball to fall into the net."

To kick off the first game of the 2024-2025 season, the Illini's charity exhibition game at Old Miss did not go as planned.

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21/10/2024

“Our first key to victory was play fast and physical."

To follow the 100 year anniversary of Memorial Stadium, the Fighting Illini continues to hold their winning streak after beating the Wolverines.

The Illini, dressed in old-school uniforms and hand-painted helmets, ran out from the tunnel, ready for a challenge. The Wolverines stormed onto the field with a mass of booing from the Illini student section, prepared to return to action. Both teams had something to prove today, but the Illini want...

16/10/2024

There’s something in the air this Illini football season, and it’s not just a 5-1 record to begin the year. This week, Illinois commemorates 100 years of Memorial Stadium’s dedication for the 2024-25 season in Champaign.

The upcoming days illustrate Illinois’ involvement in the community and hope for athletic success. While there’s Illini pride all year long, this week, there will be even more opportunities for community members to embrace the celebration of Memorial Stadium’s centennial.

📲 Click the link to read more: https://buff.ly/3Yo7YHz

✍️ Written by Tess Eken & Laura Mendes
📸 Photo by Matt Stepp (.photos)

26/09/2024

Illinois hockey defeated Michigan State 3-1 despite committing nine penalties on Saturday. After shutting out the Spartans 4-0 Friday, the weekend marks their first sweep since mid-February, when they outscored Alabama by a total of eight goals.

Senior goaltender Nolan Woodring played the hero for the Illini this weekend, stopping all but one of the shots he faced; no small feat against a Michigan State team featuring two returning 20-goal scorers.

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✍️ Written by Brendan Gallian
📸 From The Daily Illini Photo Archives