Illini head coach Bret Bielema signs new 6-year contract

Illini head coach Bret Bielema signs new 6-year contract

University of Illinois head coach Bret Bielema signed a new six-year contract Thursday after leading the Illini to an 8-4 regular season.

University of Illinois head coach Bret Bielema signed a new six-year contract Thursday after leading the Illini to an 8-4 regular season.

Kasubke scores 14, Illinois State beats Chicago State 66-52

Kasubke scores 14, Illinois State beats Chicago State 66-52

Luke Kasubke scored 14 points off the bench to help Illinois State defeat Chicago State 66-52 on Monday night.

Luke Kasubke scored 14 points off the bench to help Illinois State defeat Chicago State 66-52 on Monday night.

VCU beats Northern Illinois 90-63

VCU beats Northern Illinois 90-63

Keshawn Williams finished with 16 points, six rebounds and three steals for the Huskies (3-8).

Keshawn Williams finished with 16 points, six rebounds and three steals for the Huskies (3-8).

Northwestern Wildcats shut down DePaul 83-45

Northwestern Wildcats shut down DePaul 83-45

The Wildcats (8-2) came into the game boasting the seventh-ranked defense in the country at 56.8 points allowed per game and held the Blue Demons to almost a dozen points under that average.

The Wildcats (8-2) came into the game boasting the seventh-ranked defense in the country at 56.8 points allowed per game and held the Blue Demons to almost a dozen points under that average.

North Central holds off Mount Union 28-21 for D-III title

North Central holds off Mount Union 28-21 for D-III title

Ethan Greenfield, Luke Lehnen and DeAngelo Hardy delivered the big plays and North Central (Ill.) beat Mount Union 28-21 on Friday night at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium to win the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl and claim the NCAA Division III championship.

Ethan Greenfield, Luke Lehnen and DeAngelo Hardy delivered the big plays and North Central (Ill.) beat Mount Union 28-21 on Friday night at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium to win the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl and claim the NCAA Division III championship.

Murray State defeats Chicago State 66-65

Murray State defeats Chicago State 66-65

Jacobi Wood’s scored 20 of his 24 points in the second half and helped Murray State defeat Chicago State 66-65 on Tuesday night.

Jacobi Wood’s scored 20 of his 24 points in the second half and helped Murray State defeat Chicago State 66-65 on Tuesday night.

Okani scores 16, UIC downs Prairie View A&M 70-61

Okani scores 16, UIC downs Prairie View A&M 70-61

Toby Okani scored 16 points to help UIC defeat Prairie View A&M 70-61 on Tuesday night.

Toby Okani scored 16 points to help UIC defeat Prairie View A&M 70-61 on Tuesday night.

Purdue names Illinois coordinator Ryan Walters as new head coach

Purdue names Illinois coordinator Ryan Walters as new head coach

Purdue hired Illinois defensive coordinator Ryan Walters as its new coach Tuesday, a change of direction for the program dubbed the “Cradle of Quarterbacks” and one best known for its high-scoring, explosive offenses.

Purdue hired Illinois defensive coordinator Ryan Walters as its new coach Tuesday, a change of direction for the program dubbed the “Cradle of Quarterbacks” and one best known for its high-scoring, explosive offenses.

Timme scores 26 as Gonzaga beats Northern Illinois 88-67

Timme scores 26 as Gonzaga beats Northern Illinois 88-67

Drew Timme scored 26 points and No. 15 Gonzaga beat Northern Illinois 88-67 on Monday night, extending the nation’s longest home win streak to 71 games.

Drew Timme scored 26 points and No. 15 Gonzaga beat Northern Illinois 88-67 on Monday night, extending the nation’s longest home win streak to 71 games.

Parker Stewart sparks UT Martin over Chicago State 75-74 in OT

Parker Stewart sparks UT Martin over Chicago State 75-74 in OT

The Cougars (3-8) were led by Wesley Cardet Jr., who finished with 25 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two blocks.

The Cougars (3-8) were led by Wesley Cardet Jr., who finished with 25 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two blocks.

Robbie Beran, Chase Audige lead Northwestern past stubborn Prairie View

Robbie Beran, Chase Audige lead Northwestern past stubborn Prairie View

Northwestern's defense, 12th nationally with 54.5 points allowed per game and sixth at 35.4% field goal percentage allowed, held the Panthers scoreless over the final 3:26 and allowed just four points over the final 10 minutes.

Northwestern's defense, 12th nationally with 54.5 points allowed per game and sixth at 35.4% field goal percentage allowed, held the Panthers scoreless over the final 3:26 and allowed just four points over the final 10 minutes.

Jace Carter scores 18 as UIC defeats Western Michigan 62-56

Jace Carter scores 18 as UIC defeats Western Michigan 62-56

Christian Jones led UIC with 10 points in the second half as their team was outscored by six points over the final half but hung on for the victory.

Christian Jones led UIC with 10 points in the second half as their team was outscored by six points over the final half but hung on for the victory.

Funk, Dread hot from 3 as Penn State beats No. 17 Illinois

Funk, Dread hot from 3 as Penn State beats No. 17 Illinois

Andrew Funk and Myles Dread combined for 11 3-pointers to give Penn State a 74-59 win over No. 17 Illinois on Saturday.

Andrew Funk and Myles Dread combined for 11 3-pointers to give Penn State a 74-59 win over No. 17 Illinois on Saturday.

No. 17 Illinois rallies late, beats No. 2 Texas 85-78 in OT

No. 17 Illinois rallies late, beats No. 2 Texas 85-78 in OT

Terrence Shannon Jr. scored 12 of his 16 points in overtime, including the tiebreaking 3-pointer with 3:34 remaining, and No. 17 Illinois rallied to hand second-ranked Texas its first loss of the season, 85-78 on Tuesday night in the Jimmy V Classic.

Terrence Shannon Jr. scored 12 of his 16 points in overtime, including the tiebreaking 3-pointer with 3:34 remaining, and No. 17 Illinois rallied to hand second-ranked Texas its first loss of the season, 85-78 on Tuesday night in the Jimmy V Classic.