http://www.yardbarker.com/colleges/illinois_fighting_illini/41 Recent articles about Illinois Fighting Illini en-us Wide receiver Darius Millines and defensive end Darrius Caldwell have been kicked off the University of Illinois football team for unspecified rules violations, the Associated Press reported on Thursday. Last season Millines was the second-leading receiver on the Illini catching 32 passes for 319 yards in his junior season. Millines was the Illini’s second-leading receiver last fall as a junior, catching 32 passes for 319 yards. His expulsion from the program comes two months after coach Tim Beckman suspended him for the team for unspecified violations. Caldwell, a promising sophomore-to-be, had 17 tackles last season, including five for losses and 2 1/2 sacks. The Illini finished 2-10 last season and already things are looking no better for next season. Thu, 16 May 2013 17:47:38 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/two_players_kicked_off_of_illinois_football_team/13633544 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/two_players_kicked_off_of_illinois_football_team/13633544 Two players kicked off of Illinois football team http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/two_players_kicked_off_of_illinois_football_team/13633544 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Catching up with former Fighting Illini defensive great Whitney Mercilus. Wed, 15 May 2013 22:01:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/throwback_thursday_whitney_mercilus/13627136 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/throwback_thursday_whitney_mercilus/13627136 Throwback Thursday: Whitney Mercilus http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/throwback_thursday_whitney_mercilus/13627136 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Former Illini wideout Jordan Frysinger has the option to continue his academic path at Illinois if he so chooses. Mon, 13 May 2013 22:54:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/frysinger_moving_forward/13611188 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/frysinger_moving_forward/13611188 Frysinger Moving Forward http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/frysinger_moving_forward/13611188 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Illini college football coach Tim Beckman went on 670 The Score in Chicago today. Around 4:30 CDT with Boers and Bernstein. Tim Beckman appeared with Illinois Athletic Director Mike Thomas and college basketball coach John Groce. If and when WSCR posts the audio, I’ll link it here. The Northwestern Twitterverse (there’s not many of them, but there are some) are blowing up about what Beckman did today. He took a well known Northwestern slogan and “borrowed it” as his own. “Whatever is Necessary.” or “W.I.N.” is the new slogan Tim Beckman will use to motivate/lead Illinois Fighting Illini football in 2013. Hmmmmm, now where have I heard that before? Where? Somewhere very very close? I think…. It’s another Big Ten coach. It’s another guy who sometimes SPEAKS LOUDLY AT PRESS CONFERENCES and whose quotes I’ve sometimes had to write into my game stories in ALL CAPS DENOTING THE LOUDNESS. Ah yes, that’s right- W.I.N. “What’s Important Now” has been on the walls of the Northwestern fo Wed, 08 May 2013 19:13:57 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/entertainment/article_external/illini_coach_tim_beckman_rips_off_northwestern_football_slogan/13578689 http://network.yardbarker.com/entertainment/article_external/illini_coach_tim_beckman_rips_off_northwestern_football_slogan/13578689 Illini Coach Tim Beckman rips off Northwestern football slogan http://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/illini_coach_tim_beckman_rips_off_northwestern_football_slogan/13578689 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The renovation plans for the Assembly Hall have been announced in the past months, but a major announcement came in at a 2 p.m. Monday press conference in Champaign. The Assembly Hall will be renamed for the first time in the history of the 50-year structure. Thanks to a 30-year, $60-million deal with State Farm Insurance Company, Assembly Hall will now be known as the State Farm Center. The naming rights will go into effect immediately, as the dome prepares to go under a major renovation that will last from March 2014 until the start of the 2016-17 basketball season. Illinois athletic director Mike Thomas said at Monday's press conference that the partnership with State Farm will go a long way. "We are extremely proud to announce this relationship with State Farm, one of the most respected corporate brands in the world," Illinois director of athletics Mike Thomas said. "State Farm has been an outstanding partner for the University of Illinois for more than tw... Tue, 30 Apr 2013 22:02:46 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/illinois_mens_basketball_assembly_hall_is_now_the_state_farm_center/13524062 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/illinois_mens_basketball_assembly_hall_is_now_the_state_farm_center/13524062 Illinois Men's Basketball: Assembly Hall is now the State Farm Center http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/illinois_mens_basketball_assembly_hall_is_now_the_state_farm_center/13524062 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The realignment of the Big Ten has been finalized for 2014. With the additions of Rutgers and Maryland, the 14-team Big Ten will be split into two seven-team divisions, the East and West. Illinois will be in the West with Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, Purdue and Wisconsin. The East will consist of Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State and Rutgers. The geographical divisions are a change from the Leaders and Legends Divisions that were introduced in 2011. Now, each team in the east plays in the Eastern Time Zone while the west all play, minus Purdue, in the Central Time Zone. League commissioner Jim Delany told ESPN that geography was a main factor in determining the new alignment. "We thought the geography was a good way to bind the conference together," Delany said. "We also wanted to preserve as much tradition as we could, and we do that through the protection of the rivalries. Everybody will play everybody at least once... Sun, 28 Apr 2013 20:56:44 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/illinois_fighting_illini_football_new_big_ten_division_alignment_puts_illini_in_west/13507613 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/illinois_fighting_illini_football_new_big_ten_division_alignment_puts_illini_in_west/13507613 Illinois Fighting Illini football: New Big Ten division alignment puts Illini in West http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/illinois_fighting_illini_football_new_big_ten_division_alignment_puts_illini_in_west/13507613 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png With the 150th overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, the Steelers select Illinois CB Terry Hawthorne. At 6'0" and 194 lbs, Hawthorne has the long, linear fram that NFL teams are always looking for. Few tall cornerbacks possess the foot quickness, agility and playing speed that Hawthorne does. Blessed with quick feet and good agility, when he maintains good technique/footwork he has a quick and compact backpedal and can transition out of pedal to close quickly on passes in front of him. Naturally explosive, he flashes the closing burst to the receiver to get there in time to either make a play on the ball or to deliver a hard hit right as the ball arrives. He has the ball skills to break-up or intercept passes. Although his long stride hides his playing speed, he has consistently shown the speed to stay with fast receivers on deep routes. Source: Sports Illustrated Sat, 27 Apr 2013 14:48:36 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/steelers_select_illinois_cb_terry_hawthorne_rd5_no150/13499213 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/steelers_select_illinois_cb_terry_hawthorne_rd5_no150/13499213 Steelers Select Illinois CB Terry Hawthorne (Rd.5, No.150) http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/steelers_select_illinois_cb_terry_hawthorne_rd5_no150/13499213 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png With the April 20th commitment of Enoch Smith Jr. to Michigan State, the questions regarding the Illini's recruiting ability inside their own state are reasonably fair to the coaching staff. Smith, a defensive tackle out of Mount Carmel, was Rivals' top-ranked player at his position in Illinois for the 2014 class. At 6-foot-3, 265 pounds, the defensive lineman could have surely added a presence to an Illinois defense that was ranked 10th last season in the Big Ten. But the loss of Smith is not the whole story, it is just one of a long list of players that have decided to play elsewhere. In the 2014 class, Illinois has lost four-star tight end Daniel Helm (Tennessee), four-star quarterback Clayton Thorson (Northwestern), three-star tight end Ian Bunting (Michigan), three-star lineman Brian Allen (Michigan State) and three-star athlete corner back Greg Taylor (Missouri). There is still loads of talent remaining, and Tim Beckman needs to find a way to grab a collection of t... Wed, 24 Apr 2013 00:36:24 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/illinois_football_tim_beckman_must_keep_kids_in_illinois/13469404 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/illinois_football_tim_beckman_must_keep_kids_in_illinois/13469404 Illinois Football: Tim Beckman must keep kids in Illinois http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/illinois_football_tim_beckman_must_keep_kids_in_illinois/13469404 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Despite ending their first season 2-10 under first-year coach Tim Beckman, the Illinois Fighting Illini will still be well represented at the upcoming NFL Draft. Offensive guard Hugh Thornton, defensive linemen Michael Buchanan and Akeem Spence, and cornerback Terry Hawthorne lead the group of former Illini players hoping to hear their names called at the draft, which will be conducted from April 25-27 at the Radio City Music Hall in New York. Thornton is likely to be the first former Illini selected. The 6-foot-3, 330-pound guard is listed as the sixth best at his position by CBS Sports, which also believes he will go in either the third or fourth round. Thornton started 11 games, with 10 of them coming at left tackle. He named to the All-Big Ten second team by the coach and was an honorable mention by the media. Buchanan, a 6-foot-6 defensive end, was a second-team All-Big Ten selection the last two seasons. He had a combined 121 tackles and 12 sacks, including 57 tackles and 4... Mon, 22 Apr 2013 21:59:25 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/illinois_fighting_illini_football_former_players_preparing_for_upcoming_nfl_draft/13460008 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/illinois_fighting_illini_football_former_players_preparing_for_upcoming_nfl_draft/13460008 Illinois Fighting Illini football: Former players preparing for upcoming NFL Draft http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/illinois_fighting_illini_football_former_players_preparing_for_upcoming_nfl_draft/13460008 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png About one week ago, the Illinois Fighting Illini gave Head Coach John Groce a one-year contract extension and a nice pay raise, $200,000 to be exact.  Groce was given this pay bump and extension because he led the Illini to a 23-13 record and an 8-10 record in the Big Ten. And lets not forget, a NCAA tournament appearance and a victory in his first year.              With this generous contract extension, what should Illini fans think about and expect from Groce in his second season? He is losing his top player in Brandon Paul and needs to be able to make sure the recruits he is bringing in can play with the big boys of the Big 10.              Everybody loved Illinois when the shots were falling but what happened when they weren’t; the team would get out played. Will Groce have to change his game plan from last season?              Returning will be Tracy Abrams, Joseph Bertrand, and Nnanna Egwu to lead the Illini. Bertrand will be the only returning senior in Illino Sun, 21 Apr 2013 21:43:14 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/illinois_basketball_what_kind_of_expectations_should_be_set_for_john_groces_second_season/13451881 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/illinois_basketball_what_kind_of_expectations_should_be_set_for_john_groces_second_season/13451881 Illinois basketball: What kind of expectations should be set for John Groce's second season? http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/illinois_basketball_what_kind_of_expectations_should_be_set_for_john_groces_second_season/13451881 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png If you've been following along with us all season long then you know that we tend to do things that aren't always done by other outlets and one of those things is taking a look back - back to what they said when previewing a season - and frankly we find that a bit odd.  I mean, you are brazen enough to go out on a limb and predict the season, but aren't willing to tell your viewers just how good, bad, or mediocre you were in your predictions? Well, that doesn't fly here at The B1G Time. So, strap yourself in as we bring you a look back at each team and how their season faired and give you the lowdown on how we did in predicting things for each team.  Up first is a team that saw transition in 2012-13 as John Groce came from Ohio to the Land of Lincoln in hopes of getting the program back to elite status and stop with the "sleeping giant" moniker that's hung around the program for so long.  How did Groce and his players do in his 1st year at the helm? Let's e Tue, 16 Apr 2013 16:05:41 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/2012_13_big_ten_basketball_review_illinois_fighting_illini/13413613 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/2012_13_big_ten_basketball_review_illinois_fighting_illini/13413613 2012-13 Big Ten Basketball Review: Illinois Fighting Illini http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/2012_13_big_ten_basketball_review_illinois_fighting_illini/13413613 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png On March 24th, the Illinois Fighting Illini basketball program suffered a gut-wrenching defeat to cap off an amazing 12 or so months for the program.  It might sound strange to use the terms "cap off" and "amazing" to describe a loss, but I meant it. I also meant gut-wrenching, but I won't rehash the end of that game. The Illini's inspired effort to nearly knock off 2-seed Miami in the round of 32 of the NCAA Tournament was something that left fans of the orange and blue as proud as they've been in years. That loss ended an up and down season that was much more the former than the latter. And that's what made the 2012-13 Illini different from past years. Sure there were hard times. And one point in the Big Ten season it looked like the Illini might never win again. But then they did. Quite a bit. Against really good teams. All together, the Illini went 12-1 in non-conference season, 8-10 in an extremely tough Big Ten season, and won a game i... Sun, 14 Apr 2013 09:22:54 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/illinois_basketball_illini_program_continues_to_gain_momentum/13394758 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/illinois_basketball_illini_program_continues_to_gain_momentum/13394758 Illinois basketball: Illini program continues to gain momentum http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/illinois_basketball_illini_program_continues_to_gain_momentum/13394758 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png This is easily one of the coolest ideas I’ve seen from a college football team.  On Wednesday afternoon, the Illinois Fighting Illini invited students out to watch a live scrimmage and gave them free pizza.  When the scrimmage was over, three lucky students were given the opportunity to kick a field goal.  All three students made the kicks with the players cheering them on, and the celebration with the students after the kicks seemed very genuine. Student Practice will get students on the field during scrimmage to see it live!Also bring your skills because 3 will kick FG’s w team! — Tim Beckman (@coachbeckman) April 3, 2013 This was a great gesture for an important part of your fan base. [YouTube] Thu, 04 Apr 2013 12:26:20 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/illinois_students_kick_field_goals_at_student_appreciation_practice/13314385 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/illinois_students_kick_field_goals_at_student_appreciation_practice/13314385 Illinois students kick field goals at student appreciation practice http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/illinois_students_kick_field_goals_at_student_appreciation_practice/13314385 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png MINNEAPOLIS From eighth in the country to the ninth seed in the Big Ten Tournament. Thats how far the Gophers basketball team has fallen this season. When the conference tournament kicks off this Thursday, Minnesota will be the No. 9 seed against No. 8 Illinois quite the tumble from where the Gophers were earlier in the year. At one point, Tubby Smiths team was ranked in the Top Ten and looked poised to finish near the top of the Big Ten standings. Following Saturdays loss to Nebraska in the regular-season finale, though, Minnesota finished 20-11 overall and just 8-10 in the Big Ten. The sub-.500 conference mark means that Smith has failed to finish with a winning Big Ten record in his six seasons with the Gophers. Meanwhile, Illinois lost its final two regular-season Big Ten games to Iowa and Ohio State but finished with the same 8-10 conference mark as the Gophers. Since the Illini hold the tiebreaker over Minnesota, they were given the No. 8 seed while the Gophers wound up as the No. 9 seed. Minnesota an Mon, 11 Mar 2013 10:34:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/gophers_get_early_postseason_test_with_illinois/13108678 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/gophers_get_early_postseason_test_with_illinois/13108678 Gophers get early postseason test with Illinois http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/gophers_get_early_postseason_test_with_illinois/13108678 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png MINNEAPOLIS From eighth in the country to the ninth seed in the Big Ten Tournament. Thats how far the Gophers basketball team has fallen this season. When the conference tournament kicks off this Thursday, Minnesota will be the No. 9 seed against No. 8 Illinois quite the tumble from where the Gophers were earlier in the year. At one point, Tubby Smiths team was ranked in the Top Ten and looked poised to finish near the top of the Big Ten standings. Following Saturdays loss to Nebraska in the regular-season finale, though, Minnesota finished 20-11 overall and just 8-10 in the Big Ten. The sub-.500 conference mark means that Smith has failed to finish with a winning Big Ten record in his six seasons with the Gophers. Meanwhile, Illinois lost its final two regular-season Big Ten games to Iowa and Ohio State but finished with the same 8-10 conference mark as the Gophers. Since the Illini hold the tiebreaker over Minnesota, they were given the No. 8 seed while the Gophers wound up as the No. 9 seed. Minnesota an Mon, 11 Mar 2013 10:34:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/gophers_get_early_postseason_test_with_illinois/13108936 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/gophers_get_early_postseason_test_with_illinois/13108936 Gophers get early postseason test with Illinois http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/gophers_get_early_postseason_test_with_illinois/13108936 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Another day, another game where a No. 1 team gets upset. Indiana, who finally claimed the top-ranked seed this week after beating No. 1 Michigan, blew their chances Thursday night in a 74-72 upset loss to Illinois. Illinois fought their way to coming close late in the game after trailing 41-29 at halftime. With .9 seconds left, the Fighting Illini were able to catch senior forward Tyler Griffey wide open for the game-winning layup that led to the storming of the court. Take a look at the big play below: Thu, 07 Feb 2013 21:31:43 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/indiana_illinois_tyler_griffey_hits_buzzer_beating_layup_to_knock_no_1_hoosiers/12866821 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/indiana_illinois_tyler_griffey_hits_buzzer_beating_layup_to_knock_no_1_hoosiers/12866821 Illinois tops No. 1 Indiana on buzzer-beating layup http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/indiana_illinois_tyler_griffey_hits_buzzer_beating_layup_to_knock_no_1_hoosiers/12866821 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/2/f/2f5606c7558c9b1fd361a5b99cf57f528bf693c0/mini/illinois.jpg