Category: Illinois Fighting Illini

Illinois Fighting Illini need a bounce back season in 2024

In each part of this series, we will unveil where each of the 18 teams in the new look Big Ten conference begins. Illinois under the leadership of Bret Bielema is No. 17 out of 18.

It’s never too early for a “way too early” Big Ten power ranking! Things will change. Players will hurt the portal, players will transfer in, and injuries will happen but for the most part, we have a pretty good understanding of rosters after National Signing Day and so much transfer portal movement.

In each part of this series, we will unveil where each of the 18 teams in the new look conference begins. We started at No. 1 with the revamped Ohio State Buckeyes. Then, the Oregon Ducks come in at the second spot. Coming in at No. 3 were the defending National Champion Michigan Wolverines, who are in a bit of a transition period.

At No. 4, we unveiled the Penn State Nittany Lions, who are returning a lot of talent from their 2023 roster. Then we made way for the old reliable, the Iowa Hawkeyes. At No. 6, another new addition to the conference, the USC Trojans. Next up at No. 7, the Wisconsin Badgers came in, followed by the Washington Huskies at No. 8 in the ranking.

Coming in at No. 9, another pretty consistent program with the Minnesota Golden Gophers. They come into the 2024 season as a real wildcard. Speaking of wildcards, there may not be a bigger one than the Nebraska Cornhuskers. They come in at No. 10 on the ranking.

Following Nebraska is the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at No. 11, coming off a bit of a breakout season in 2023 under head coach Greg Schiano. A team in transition, but an exciting one, is the Indiana Hoosiers. At No. 13 is the Michigan State Spartans, who are another team in transition. Then you have the Purdue Boilermakers at No. 14 who enter the second year under former Illinois defensive coordinator Ryan Walters.

Another new entrant into the new look Big Ten conference, the UCLA Bruins enter with a lot of uncertainty at No. 15. Coming in at No. 16, the Maryland Terrapins have a more familiar face in Mike Locksley heading into year seven, followed by the Illinois Fighting Illini at No. 17. 

Bret Bielema had the team heading in a great direction in 2022, showing an elite defense and lots of signs that the program is being built well. Unfortunately, they took a step back in 2023, limping to a 5-7 record. In 2024, the team will have to lean on the defense, which returns a lot of talent. They should be led by pass rushers Seth Coleman and Gabriel Jacas,  both of whom are on NFL radars. 

Offensively, there is a lot of doubt about how good Illinois could be. They have two huge defections on the offensive line, but did grab former New Mexico offensive tackle JC Davis the portal who is one of the more underrated players at his positional national. Davis will be helping to pave the way for sophomore running back Kaden Feagin, who is a load at 240 pounds.

Full Big Ten Rankings

  1. Ohio State Buckeyes
  2. Oregon Ducks
  3. Michigan Wolverines
  4. Penn State Nittany Lions
  5. Iowa Hawkeyes 
  6. USC Trojans
  7. Wisconsin Badgers
  8. Washington Huskies
  9. Minnesota Golden Gophers
  10. Nebraska Cornhuskers
  11. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
  12. Indiana Hoosiers
  13. Michigan State Spartans
  14. Purdue Boilermakers
  15. UCLA Bruins
  16. Maryland Terrapins
  17. Illinois Fighting Illini 
  18. TBD

Nebraska falls late to Illinois in final regular season game

The Huskers concluded the regular season with a road trip to Illinois for a clash with the Fighting Illini.

The Huskers concluded the regular season with a road trip to Illinois for a clash with the Fighting Illini. Nebraska held a seven-point lead halfway through the fourth quarter, but Illinois came back and took the lead and the win.

The Fighting Illini held the lead for over half of the game. The Huskers clawed their way back into the game but did not get a firm grip on the lead until the fourth.

Jaz Shelley contributed a team-high and season-high 23 points in the loss. This is just Shelley’s third 20-point game of the season. She also finished the afternoon with a team-high eight assists. Alexis Markowski and Natalie Potts also finished in double-digits for Nebraska, each scoring 14 points.

Nebraska concludes the regular season with a 19-10 overall record and an 11-7 conference record. The Huskers drop to fifth in the conference standings and, if they stay there, will begin Big Ten Tournament action on Thursday afternoon. The game will follow the 11:30 a.m. game and can be viewed on the Big Ten Network

Tominaga’s career night not enough in Nebraska’s road loss to No. 14 Illinois

Nebraska men’s basketball hit the road for another top-25 matchup.

Nebraska men’s basketball hit the road for another top-25 matchup. The Huskers faced off against No. 14 Illinois and looked to finally snap their road game-losing streak. However, Nebraska once again failed, falling to the Fighting Illini in overtime 87-84.

The Huskers and Illinois duked it out all night but slip-ups by Nebraska gave the Fighting Illini the edge. The Huskers recorded 21 fouls in the loss, while Illinois only surrendered 12. Nebraska’s fouls set the Fighting Illini up with 30 free-throw attempts, where Illinois landed 20. The Huskers, meanwhile, only dropped 14 free throws.

Keisei Tominaga delivered a career-high 31 points to lead Nebraska in scoring, going five-of-seven from beyond the arc and eight-of-eight at the free-throw line. Rienk Mast finished runner-up in scoring for the Huskers, tallying up 22 points, and going four-of-nine in three-point shooting.

Juwan Gary scored double-digits for Nebraska as well, dropping 12 points. Gary also hauled in 11 rebounds to make it his fourth double-double of the season.

The Huskers fall to 16-7 on the season and 6-6 in conference play. They will remain on the road in Illinois as they face Northwestern on Wednesday night. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. and can be viewed on Big Ten Network.

Women’s basketball pulls away from Illinois in 56-48 win

The Nebraska women’s basketball team played host to Big Ten foe Illinois on Thursday night.

The Nebraska women’s basketball team played host to Big Ten foe Illinois on Thursday night. The Huskers and Fighting Illini traded blows throughout the evening but the Huskers eventually pulled away for a 56-48 victory.

Jaz Shelley finished the night as Nebraska’s leading scorer, racking up 17 points while going four-of-seven in 3-point shooting and five-of-six in free throw shooting.

Alexis Markowski joined Shelley in the double-digit party, dropping 14 points and 15 rebounds to earn her 10th double-double of the season and her 31st double-double in her collegiate career. Markowski currently stands fifth in school history for double-doubles and only needs ten more to surpass the school record held by Jordan Hooper and Kelsey Griffin.

Nebraska moves to 12-4 on the season and 4-1 in conference play. The Huskers travel north to face Minnesota on Sunday afternoon. Tipoff is set for 2:00 p.m. and can be viewed on B1G+.

Nebraska volleyball earns 25th win with 3-1 victory over Illinois

The No. 1 ranked Huskers hosted Illinois in their only matchup of the season on Sunday afternoon.

The No. 1 ranked Huskers hosted Illinois in their only matchup of the season on Sunday afternoon. Nebraska dominated the first two sets, winning both 25-14, but Illinois attempted to upset the Huskers by winning the third set and attempting to win the fourth. Nebraska stood its ground in set four to take the win (25-14, 25-14, 24-26, 25-22).

The Huskers provided an all-around performance in their 25th straight win of the season, with four players reaching double-digits in kills. Bekka Allick finished as the top Nebraska player in kills, earning 12 off of 19 attacks. She also led the team in blocks with five.

Merritt Beason and Ally Batenhorst each finished with 11 kills. Beason added eight digs, four blocks, and three service aces in the Huskers’ win. Freshman Harper Murray rounded out the double-digit squad with ten kills off 35 attacks while providing seven digs and four service aces.

Another notable performer on offense was Andi Jackson. The freshman delivered nine kills off 11 attacks for an attack percentage of .818. Freshman Bergen Reilly provided excellent support with 45 set assists and eight digs, while Lexi Rodriguez led the team in digs with 16.

Nebraska will host its final home match of the regular season against Michigan. The match is set for Friday at 8:00 p.m. and can be viewed on Big Ten Network.

First Four: Mississippi State fetched a win over Illinois to keep March Madness dream alive

Mississippi State Bulldogs defeated the University of Illinois Wednesday night, 70-56, in the First Four of the 2023 March Madness Women’s NCAA D1 tournament.

Mississippi State Bulldogs defeated the University of Illinois Wednesday night, 70-56, in the First Four of the 2023 March Madness Women’s NCAA D1 tournament. This is Mississippi’s 21st win of the season and 23rd all-time NCAA Tournament win. This is head coach Sam Purcell’s first season with the Bulldogs.

“Here you go. You know you always get me. You get me. I’m not doing it. Again, it’s not about me. I appreciate all the love and the recognition, but I would not be sitting here today if I wasn’t coaching a great group of young women,” Purcell said.

Redshirt Senior Jessika Carter was dominant scoring 22 points with nine rebounds. Mississippi State’s bench outscored Illinois 20-6 with two other players, Anastasia Hayes and JerKaila Jordan, scoring in double digits.

Mississippi State will take on the No. 6 seeded Creighton Blue Jays in the Round of 64 which is scheduled for Friday, March 17th at 6:00 p.m. ET.

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