Zain Bando

Zain Bando

Zain Bando is an alumnus of not one but two Big Ten institutions. He attended Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism with a focus on journalism and Sports Media. His heart, however, still lies with the Orange and Blue (I-L-L), where he was a member of the Orange Krush and Block I student sections during undergrad. Bando was part of the FanSided Network as a contributor from May 2019 to October 2023. He has vast experience covering Illinois, Northwestern, Combat Sports and one-off feature-style stories. All opinions are his own. You can email him at zainbando99@gmail.com. He is open to any feedback.

Jan 2, 2023; Tampa, FL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the first half in the 2023 ReliaQuest Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Illinois Football: Illini receive commitment from No. 1 QB in Mississippi

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Nov 14, 2022; Waco, Texas, USA; Northern Colorado Bears guard Dalton Knecht (5) dribbles against Baylor Bears guard Keyonte George (1) during the first half at Ferrell Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-USA TODAY Sports

Illinois Basketball: Illini in contact with highly-touted transfer portal guard

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Mar 16, 2023; Des Moines, IA, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Coleman Hawkins (33) reaches for the ball against Arkansas Razorbacks forward Makhi Mitchell (15) during the first half at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

Illinois Basketball: 14-0 run ends Illini’s season against Arkansas

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Mar 15, 2023; Des Moines, IA, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood speaks during the press conference before their opening round game of the NCAA tournament in Des Moines at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Illinois Basketball: Brad Underwood confident entering NCAA Tournament

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Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood talks to an official during the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament game against the Penn State Nittany Lions, Thursday, March 9, 2023, at United Center in Chicago. Penn State Nittany Lions won 79-76.Psuill030923 Am12805

Illinois Basketball: Penn State sweeps Illini out of Big Ten Tournament

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Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood looks down court during the NCAA men’s basketball game against the Purdue Boilermakers, Sunday, March 5, 2023, at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Ind.Purillini030523 Am6869

Illinois Basketball: Illini trail Penn State 31-30 at halftime

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Illinois Fighting Illini forward Coleman Hawkins (33) and Illinois Fighting Illini guard Luke Goode (10) defend Purdue Boilermakers center Zach Edey (15) during the NCAA men’s basketball game, Sunday, March 5, 2023, at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Ind. The Purdue Boilermakers won 76-71.Purillini030523 Am8209

Illinois Basketball: Illini comeback attempt falls short against Purdue

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Mar 2, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Michigan Wolverines forward Tarris Reed Jr. (32) tries to block the shot of Illinois Fighting Illini guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (0) during the second half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Illinois Basketball: Illini outlast Michigan in double-overtime thriller

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Feb 26, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes forward Brice Sensabaugh (10) looks to score as Illinois Fighting Illini forward Matthew Mayer (24) defends during the second half at Value City Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

Illinois Basketball: Illini fall flat in road loss to Ohio State

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Feb 23, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (0) reacts after scoring during the second half against the Northwestern Wildcats at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Illinois Basketball: Terrence Shannon Jr. rallies Illini to 66-62 win over Northwestern

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Feb 20, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Jayden Epps (3) derives the ball between Minnesota Golden Gophers guard Ta'lon Cooper (55) and Dawson Garcia (3) during the first half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Illinois Basketball: Illini snap losing skid with sweep against Minnesota

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BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 18: Jalen Hood-Schifino #1 of the Indiana Hoosiers passes the ball while defended by Luke Goode #10 and Sencire Harris #1 of the Illinois Fighting Illini during the first half at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on February 18, 2023 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

Illinois Basketball: Illini give scare to No. 14 Indiana in Bloomington

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Feb 14, 2023; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions guard Jalen Pickett (22) shoots the ball as Illinois Fighting Illini forward Coleman Hawkins (33) defends during the first half at Bryce Jordan Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports

Illinois Basketball: Illini swept by Penn State behind Jalen Pickett onslaught

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Illinois guard Jayden Epps (3) shoots the ball as Iowa guard Ahron Ulis (1) defends during a NCAA Big Ten Conference men's basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.230204 Illinois Iowa Mbb 004 Jpg

Illinois Basketball: Illini fall short as win streak against Iowa is snapped

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Jan 31, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (0) dribbles the ball against Nebraska Cornhuskers guard Denim Dawson (12) during the first half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Illinois Basketball: Illini strong second half leads to sweep of Nebraska

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Jan 28, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard Chucky Hepburn (23) fouls Illinois Fighting Illini forward Matthew Mayer (24) during the second half at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Kayla Wolf-USA TODAY Sports

Illinois Basketball: Illini use 22-4 run to beat the Wisconsin Badgers

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