There is always a lot of Illini news swirling around, and we have you covered for some of the biggest topics.
Here is some of the biggest Illini news of the day.
Big game for the Illini women
The only Illinois basketball team currently ranked is on the women’s side. The Illini are No. 21 in the country and have won eight out of the past nine games.
Illinois sits with a 15-3 record overall and is 5-2 in the Big Ten. One of the three losses was to No. 5 Indiana on the road back in early December. The Illini have a chance to get back at the Hoosiers on Wednesday night. Now-No. 6 Indiana comes to the State Farm Center to take on Illinois at 7:00 p.m. CT.
Illinois makes top 7 for big in-state recruit
Landing a big-time in-state recruit like Malik Elzy was a huge step in the right direction for the Illinois football program. Bret Bielema has really held true to his words about winning the state of Illinois in recruiting. For the class of 2024, hopefully, we can do the same with I’Marion Stewart.
Stewart cut his top list down to just seven programs on Tuesday. Among the seven teams to make the list was the Illini. A top 300 recruit for 2024, Stewart is a wanted talent. One team seems to be emerging as a clear favorite, though.
Khalan Tolson lands with USFL team
The NFL isn’t the only professional football league securing former Illinois players. Reggie Corbin was dominant with the Michigan Panthers last season and was re-signed last week. And now former Illini linebacker Khalan Tolson is signing on with the USFL.
#BREAKING The Gamblers have signed LB @KhalanTolson out of @IlliniFootball class of '21. Most recently on the @Panthers, he is a welcomed addition to the LB room and will hopefully bring his famous impression of @terrycrews Latrell Spencer with him! #USFLNetwork #ALLIN pic.twitter.com/qfHz2YLeoW
— Ace: United Football Media VP of Content (@PocketAces_USFL) January 17, 2023
It was announced on Tuesday that Tolson was signing with the Houston Gamblers. This signing comes after Tolson spent some time with the Carolina Panthers of the NFL. Look for the once-fierce Illini talent to stick in the professional ranks.
Former Illini golfers’ tee times
Illinois has numerous golfers who tee it up each week. For The American Express on the PGA Tour, Thomas Detry tees off at 12:42 p.m. CT. Over on the DP World Tour, they are playing the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. Thomas Pieters tees off at 1:30 a.m. CT.
NFL playoffs have Illinois players scattered throughout
The Illini have three former players advancing to the next round of the NFL Playoffs. Nick Allegretti had a bye last week, so he will hopefully get past the Jacksonville Jaguars and advance to the AFC Championship game once again.
Teddy Karras started at center for the Cincinnati Bengals in the first-round victory over the Baltimore Ravens. The Bengals have a tough matchup this week, as they take on a good Buffalo Bills unit.
The New York Giants pulled off a big win over the Minnesota Vikings in the first round. Jihad Ward was a big part of this victory, as he had a tackle and quarterback hurry. The Giants now take on the Philadelphia Eagles.