Senior night is always special but it had extra meaning for
@SJOFootball
@Jarett_62
after his brother Cole flew home from Germany, surprising him before the game. Cole is a Private First Class member of the 10th Special Forces Airborne Group stationed in Stuttgart, Germany.
Da'Monte Williams made one basket against Northwestern, it just happened to be the one that won the Illini the game. His stats didn't 'look fancy', but the fifth year senior was the unsung hero of the weekend.
Here's
@IlliniMBB
freshman Giorgi Bezhanishvili on the
#Illini
win over Sparty: "I'm shocked, I'm shocked where we're at right now. The crowd was unbelievable, I had goosebumps in the game."
Illinois guard Luke Goode is hitting the weight room and also working on becoming a leader this offseason to get a spot in the starting five next season.
Count former
@IlliniMBB
standout Deron Williams as someone 'all in' on Josh Whitman's plan to turn the program around. "I want to get this program back to where it was and even better," Williams said. Story below:
The wait is finally over for former
@STMSabernation
basketball player
@torimccoy23
. The current Marquette basketball junior has found a donor for her kidney transplant. Her story below:
Both guys had an up-and-down freshman season, now
@TheReal_TJones
and
@alangriffin_
say they're in position to take a big sophomore jump at the wing to help put
@IlliniMBB
back on national map. See more tonight on
@WCIA3
at 6/10 with a full report from
@WCIA3Marlee
"This city, it helped me become the man I am today."
#Illini
icon Ayo Dosunmu returned to Champaign for the first time since starting his pro career. He was greeted with a standing ovation, and received his Big Ten rings. Hear from the NBA rookie here:
Now that he's won his 2nd state championship,
#Illini
signee
@AyoDos_11
says "I can completely focus on helping Coach Underwood". He's focusing on rounding out the 2018 recruiting class with best available talent. Hear from him by clicking on the picture.
"He just wins"
That's the next
@IlliniMBB
point guard, according to those who know him best.
@papicurbelo11
might not have the national pub but the
#Illini
signee has the pedigree to be a difference maker.
@craigwchoate
reports from Long Island, watch:
"It's not just beating at Top 10 team, it was beating them."
@IlliniMBB
head coach Brad Underwood was pumped up after taking down No. 9 Michigan State and Tom Izzo
Closer? You betcha.
@AyoDos_11
loves the spotlight and big games. The
@IlliniMBB
freshman says he wants the ball late...and he proved it scoring a game high 24 in the upset win over No. 9 Michigan State
Adam Miller: "I want to put on a jersey now."
The
#Illini
commit is still 110% on board with Illinois, despite not signing in November. He was at the SFC on Friday where we asked him his thoughts on what he's seen from Illinois this season.
@AceWolf44
He’s served
#Illini
athletes for almost 40 years, but John Birdsell is calling it a career and retiring this month.
@WCIA3Andy
reports on the longtime assistant equipment manager, and lasting impact he’s made on
@IlliniAthletics
:
Jimmy Collins and Lou Henson's relationship goes back 50+ years. Player to assistant coach to friend, Henson and Collins led
@IlliniMBB
to the Final 4 and will forever be remembered together.
@WCIA3Marlee
reports, hear from Collins on Lou's legacy below:
Here's
@IlliniMBB
head coach Brad Underwood, Andres Feliz and Kofo Cockburn on what they saw from
#Illini
standout Ayo Dosunmu going and their thoughts moving forward:
"The game becomes secondary"
"Tough"
"All I have in my mind is praying for him, asking God to heal him"
.
@Illinifootball
coach
@LovieSmith
grew up in a small east Texas town named Big Sandy. It shaped him into the coach he's become more than four decades later, and as Annice McEwan reports, it's those same core values that are helping him as he tries to turn around the
#Illini
After a weekend official visit to Illinois, C-U native Kylan Boswell (
@BamBam_Boz
) says playing for the
#Illini
would be a "blessing" -- hear from the 5-star prospect on his visit, future plans and timeline here:
#Illini
men's basketball head coach Brad Underwood says his freshman need to overcome adversity to come out stronger on the other side. One freshman Underwood said will keep seeing the court, Sencire Harris.
It's been a long road for
@IlliniFootball
TE Justice Williams (
@J_williams29
). That's why his score on Saturday meant so much. Going from defense to offense, then WR to TE, Williams feels comfortable in his new
#Illini
role. And now had a TD to prove it.
Central Illinois native
@micallison1
stopped by the studio this afternoon to talk about her decision to join
@IlliniVBall
after 1 season with Auburn. She says she's excited to return to her home state.
@WCIA3Marlee
has more-->
After missing the McDonald's All-American cut, Illinois basketball’s top rated recruit in the Class of 2020 gets his chance on the national stage. More
@AceWolf44
heading to the Nike Hoop Summit here, watch:
Fatherhood, family and football:
@Illinifootball
senior offensive lineman
@Vederiannn
is chasing his NFL dream while balancing being a father, the loss of his mom, and now guardianship of his younger brother.
@WCIA3Andy
reports, watch:
#Illini
defensive lineman Johnny Newton is not passing up on the opportunity to play near home for the ReliaQuest Bowl game in Tampa, Florida. Newton hasn't said if he'll go to the NFL or return to Illinois, but he's not missing the bowl close to home.
.
@Illinifootball
DB's
@Ezmoneyquez
and
@Sydbrown___
spent part of their Valentine’s Day spreading some love. The two passed out cards, footballs and other
#Illini
gear to veterans at the VA Hospital in Danville. Hear from the guys on what it meant to them:
Trevon Sidney participated in some of the country's largest protests this month, and the
#Illini
receiver continues to be an agent for change. He spoke to
@WCIA3Marlee
about fighting against racism, and why he's using his platform to make a difference:
How fast can you run a mile? Could you do it in under 4 minutes? That's what Oakwood native
@J_Scrib_1
did on Saturday. Breaking the
#Illini
record, and becoming the 498th American to go under 4 minutes.
#Illini
basketball inks five players Wednesday on the opening day of the signing period, click on the picture below to hear from
@alangriffin_
and
@CoachUnderwood
on the 2018 class
Jacob Grandison (
@slimjake_
) is getting set to play in Japan this week, capping an international trip overseas this summer. The
@IlliniMBB
starter is suiting up with the Finnish national team.
@WCIA3Marlee
reports, watch:
As one of the only black women to play for
@IlliniVBall
,
@Ryleebreanne
is fighting to end systemic racism in our country. She told
@WCIA3Marlee
that her passion stems from her own experiences, and the times her family members were marginalized:
While you won't find
@IlliniMBB
in the Final Four this weekend, there will be
#Illini
in Minneapolis. The
@ILL_Managers
have a spot in the
@ManagerGames_
Elite Eight. They're undefeated on the season and one of the best teams in the country.
A night celebrating the best of
@EIU_Panthers
welcomed four of its greatest products
@WCIA3Bret
reports on the inaugural Evening With Champions fundraiser
#Illini
commit Aidan Laughery will graduate early from GCMS, and enroll early at Illinois. The in-state recruit chose Illinois last month, over other Big Ten programs including Iowa:
Is
@DB9_Era
a good dancer? You decide.
The one thing you can't deny is the sophomore TE's big time rise in the
@IlliniFootball
offense.
@WCIA3Marlee
reports on his fun personality, dance moves and increased role during training camp. Watch the story here:
We're dedicating our Senior Send-off (5/30) to Central HS graduate Drew Adams who passed away on Saturday morning. Drew was a standout athlete part of the
@FootballMaroons
and
@BaseballMaroons
teams. Here's the sendoff in his honor:
With Kofi Cockburn back on the roster this season, the
#Illini
now return four of their six leading scorers. Add in the freshman class, along with the two transfers, and Brad Underwood is already starting to see the potential of a deep roster:
After tearing his ACL last summer,
@IlliniFootball
linebacker Jake Hansen (
@Juggs35
) is slowly working his way back to the field in a huge position of need for the
#Illini
,
@WCIA3Annice
reports -->>
"I’ve waited 23 years for this, to feed my family, I can’t wait.”
@JuicedUpReg
isn’t wasting any time. The now former
#Illini
running back left from the Redbox Bowl and flew directly to Florida to start training in hopes of playing in the NFL. Story:
#Illini
offensive lineman Alex Palczewski is ready to step on the field one last time as an Illini at the ReliaQuest Bowl. The All-American says he's ready to enjoy the game down in Tampa.
The Trinity Catholic to Champaign connection continues as
@Jay_DaKidd01
and
@Reggie22x
sign with
@IlliniFootball
on the opening day of the early period.
@WCIA3Marlee
reports from St. Louis on why this day means so much to both guys. Watch the story here:
.
@CoachBollant
and his wife Kari are doing just what they felt called to do.
In January, the
@EIUWBB
head coach adopted three girls from an orphanage in Peru.
@WCIA3Bret
tells us how they became a part of the family:
Skyy Clark has known Illini assistant coach Tim Anderson since he was in 8th grade. His comfort level with the coaching staff is just one of the reasons he became Illinois's highest ranked modern recruit.
@BriceBement
talks with the newest
#Illini
.
He's back.
More huge news for
#Illini
nation, as Kofi Cockburn announces he will return for a second year. The Big Ten Freshman of the Year announced his decision less than 24-hours after Ayo Dosunmu also decided to withdraw from the NBA Draft:
#Illini
center Kofi Cockburn picks up his most prestigious honor of the preseason, as one of five players in the country to be named an AP Preseason All-American:
The road hasn't been easy for
@eiubasketball
standout
@MackT_32
but the
@EIU_Panthers
junior is letting his past fuel his future.
@WCIA3Marlee
reports how Smith is chasing an NCAA record, while keeping everything in perspective. Watch:
.
@AyoDos_11
will soon be roaming the streets of C/U for the
#Illini
. But before he gets here, his grandpa took a trip around town for the Illinois Marathon.
@WCIA3Bret
has more on Dale Moss' battle back from Parkinson's and lacing up his shoes, again.
One year after taking a foul ball to her face,
#Illini
pitcher Taylor Edwards threw one of the best games of her career, beating Wisconsin 2-0.
@ttaylor_edwards
went 6.1 innings allowing 0 runs. We have highlights/reaction from Edwards at the link below!
Ayo Dosunmu's life will change forever Thursday when he hears his name called in the NBA Draft becoming the first
#Illini
drafted since 2012. Illinois head coach Brad Underwood and Illini legend Kendall Gill weigh in on his future as a pro:
Former St. Joseph-Ogden softball star Bailey Dowling started every game to begin her freshman season for
@AlabamaSB
. Then, she was derailed by a torn ACL and MCL.
@WCIA3Bret
has more on how the three-time WCIA3 Player of the Year is battling back.
St. Joseph-Ogden incoming senior Ty Pence (
@tdotpence
) is leaving it all on the court in his final AAU summer with
@MidProAcademy
, as he nears an upcoming college decision.
@BriceBement
reports on the
@SJOsports
standout, watch:
Tune into
@WCIA3
tonight at 6:20 p.m. for a big announcement!
@GcmsFalcon
running back
@AidanLaughery
will make his college decision LIVE on our airwaves. His commitment ceremony will also be streamed live here on twitter and our Facebook page:
Three of the most successful Illini coaches were united Tuesday when Bill Self and Lon Kruger joined Brad Underwood in Gordyville, putting the coaches of four Illinois Big Ten titles, two B1G Tourney titles, and over 200 wins under one roof.
Is this 2005? The
@TheOrangeKrush
waited several hours outside
@StateFarmCenter
to get a front row seat for tonight's Top 20 showdown as
@IlliniMBB
hosts Maryland.
@WCIA3Marlee
was LIVE just moments before the students were let in, watch the full vid:
Up 10 pounds,
@IlliniFootball
signee
@i_williams11
is already locked in on lifting and nutrition, all in an effort to make sure he's ready to go when he gets to Champaign. Hear from the 4-star QB below:
Congrats to
@SJOFootball
senior Adam Frerichs (
@afrer21
) for winning the
@WCIA3
Friday Football Fever Play of the Week by getting more than 90% of the vote!
.
@AyoDos_11
becomes highest rated
@IlliniMBB
signee since Dee Brown in 2002 class,
@WCIA3Annice
was in Chicago for his ceremony, watch 3 minutes of coverage here including Brad Underwood reaction -->>
The
#Illini
are in desperate need of playmakers on the outside, Donny Navarro (
@donnynavarro24
) might be that guy. He comes from the same high school as former WR Mikey Dudek.
@WCIA3Marlee
has more on his journey to
@IlliniFootball
.
B1G UPSET
Illinois beats Maryland for the first Big Ten win of the season for the
#Illini
off a Caleb Griffin 43-yard game winning field goal as time expired.
@WCIA3Andy
reports LIVE from the field, highlights, Bielema's full postgame presser all here:
#Illini
setter Jordyn Poulter will switch out her orange & blue for the red, white, & blue this week at the Pan American Cup. The Colorado native is the only collegiate player on the 14 person roster. The games run July 8th-14th.
@IlliniVBall
Congressman
@RepLaHood
is calling on Gov. Pritzker to bring back sports writing a formal letter.
"Governor Pritzker is crushing the dreams of these kids and we hear nothing from the Governor, nothing from IDPH. I know the IHSA is very frustrated and it's for them to take action"
Terrence Shannon Jr. is coming back to Champaign for another season, withdrawing his name from the NBA Draft just hours before the deadline.
#Illini
coach Brad Underwood weighs in: "We are, of course, beyond excited he has chosen one more year of college"
She ended her career with back-to-back state titles but it doesn't mean
@SchlarmanHoops
senior and
@ndwbb
signee
@sheball5
gets to relax. It's actually quite the opposite.
@WCIA3Marlee
reports on the 2019
@WCIA3
Girls' Basketball Player of the Year. Watch:
.
@AlabamaSB
infielder and
@SJOSoftball
alum
@DowlingBailey
impressed in her first full collegiate season, being named Second Team All-SEC.
@BriceBement
caught up with the former
@WCIA3
Softball Player of the Year as she looks to make even further strides.
Huge news from
#Illini
guard Ayo Dosunmu, who announced he will return to Illinois for his junior year.
He declared for the NBA draft in April, "but first I need that National Championship," he says. Story:
The entire
@IlliniMBB
team is now on campus, that includes Samba Kane and Anthony Higgs. Now the workouts begin, and there's one workout that seems a little unique for a basketball team.
@AnniceMcEwan
tells us how yoga helps the
#Illini
.
From sleeping in his car to working multiple jobs to pay for school,
@Illinifootball
senior Tailon Leitzsey bet on himself and went from walk-on to an
#Illini
scholarship player.
@WCIA3Marlee
reports on the new father's incredible journey, watch:
.
@TailonLeitzsey
is paying it forward after his own story of earning a scholarship inspired many. The
#Illini
defensive back held a free kids camp in Champaign, along with plenty of teammates who volunteered to help.
@WCIA3Andy
has the story:
The
@Illinifootball
team is traveling halfway across the country to play in the
@RedboxBowl
but that doesn't come close to how far
@HayesBla1
parents. They are in from Australia to see the B1G Punter of the Year.
@WCIA3Bret
reports from San Fran, watch:
The next
@IlliniFootball
QB is from Texas but he's no stranger to the
#Illini
way. MJ Rivers' dad, Martellus, played in the NFL, always wanting to suit up for Lovie Smith. He never got that chance but now his son does.
@WCIA3Annice
went to TX to talk with
@King_2_Be