* Whitman confirmed that Illinois will honor Terrence Shannon Jr., raising his jersey at State Farm Center. That required an exception to the policy that players honored must be first or second team All-American.

* Illinois basketball will play Arkansas on Thanksgiving Day in Kansas City. It will air on CBS right after the Bears - Lions game.

* Illinois will use all of the $22m allowed by the NCAA for revenue sharing. They are planning as if Title IX will apply, so it will likely be evenly distributed among men's and women's sports.

* Sounds like there will be budget cuts to raise the $22m. There's a hiring freeze in the department. They will not go forward with a planned new wrestling facility. They are also looking at what sports they ultimately want to sponsor in the future, which means some sports(s) could get the axe.

* The backwards damages from the NCAA settlements will result in an annual deduction of $1.2 million for Illinois.

* The ICON collective will continue to be important. It has tripled it's donations since year 1 and now has over 500 donors contributing.

* The DIA is still working its way through the student athlete misconduct policy for potential changes based on the result of Shannon's lawsuit.

* WBB coach Shauna Green will get a contract extension.

No specific date yet, but it will be relatively soon,

Some of these may have appeared in an earlier thread in this forum:

Mon. Nov. 4 EASTERN ILLINOIS
Tues, Nov 20 Alabama (in Birmingham)
Thurs. Nov, 28 Arkansas (this is a Thanksgiving Day game and the two schools are working on a location and time according to Rocco Miller)
Nov. Date 1 TBA MTE team TBA
Nov. Date 2 TBA MTE team TBA
Sat. Dec 14 TENNESSEE
Sun. Dec 22 Missouri (Bragging Rights Game) Sunday game? This is according to Jon Rothstein
Sat. Feb. 22 Duke at Madison Square Garden

Four SEC teams and Duke. That could be brutal. We deserve some cupcakes.

What is up with us playing EIU a third year in a row? Josh doing former Illini star Tommy Michael some love with the cash?

Per Josh Whitman today, Terrence Shannon Jr. will have his jersey raised at State Farm Center.

Story from John Supinie

Whitman said Illinois will use all $22m allowed by the NCAA.

The kicker? They are planning as if Title IX applies, so it will be evenly distributed among men’s and women’s sports.

The 2024 USA Basketball Men’s U17 National Team, representing high school graduating classes of 2025 and 2026, includes Cameron Boozer, Cayden Boozer, Chris Cenac Jr., AJ Dybantsa, Jalen Haralson, Caleb Holt, JJ Mandaquit, Brandon McCoy Jr., Koa Peat, Jordan Smith Jr., Tyran Stokes and Jaden Toombs.

The U17 national team will compete at the 2024 FIBA U17 Men’s World Cup, scheduled for June 29-July 7 in Istanbul.

Transfer from Colgate. He’s a preferred walk on.

Login to view embedded media

Craig Counsell is the worst Cubs manager in quite some time, and they’ve had some bad ones over the years.

Scott Langley is the USGA Director of Player Relations now. Thomas Detry, Brian Campbell and Jackson Buchanan are playing together. Scott pulling some strings in that assignment. Small can follow one group and see all three Illini.
Go get ‘em boys!

I don't have a great feel for this one.

I'm not sure if Illinois would take him after already landing Brayden Trimble and Davion Chandler. I tend to think they wouldn't.

Login to view embedded media

Illinois could close on this kid this weekend if they want to make a push.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Wide receiver Zakhari Franklin has joined the Illinois football program, head coach Bret Bielema announced Sunday. Franklin is college football's active career leader in receptions (266), receiving yards (3,386), and receiving touchdowns (38).

Franklin was a four-year starter at UTSA and left the program as the single-season and career record holder for receptions, receiving yards, receiving yards per game, 100-yard games, and receiving touchdowns. Franklin's 38 receiving touchdowns rank 21st all-time in FBS history and are 12 more than any other active player. He will join the Illini with more career receptions and career receiving touchdowns than any player that has ever worn an Illinois uniform.

"Zakhari is a dynamic wide receiver that will instantly impact our offense," said head coach Bret Bielema. "We are excited to reunite Zakhari and Barry Lunney after they had two highly productive seasons together in the past."

Lunney and Franklin were together at UTSA from 2020-21, when Lunney served as the Roadrunners' offensive coordinator. Franklin had 130 receptions for 1,721 receiving yards, and 19 touchdowns in 23 games over the two seasons with Lunney.

"Zakhari is an accomplished football player with a lot ahead of him," said Lunney. "He will be a great addition to our offense and wide receivers room."

Franklin is one of two four-star transfers to join the Illini following spring practices, along with cornerback Terrance Brooks (Texas). Illinois' three four-star transfers this offseason, which includes offensive lineman J.C. Davis (New Mexico), is tied for the sixth-most among the 18-team Big Ten.

Illinois' Summer Transfers

Login to view embedded media
Login to view embedded media

There's plenty of Illinois football recruiting buzz following the visits last weekend plus the big man camp and 7 on 7 camp in Champaign on Wednesday.

The Illini added three commitments coming off of the weekend from defensive lineman Cameron Brooks and Isaiah White and wide receiver Davion Chandler. They have a shot at a few others who were recently on campus for OV's.

Illinois also has to visitors coming in this week, plus another big group June 21-23 with a chance to close on a few more targets.

This is premium content. Please subscribe to view.