#Illini will have to prove writers wrong to reach a bowl. Team tabbed seventh in @bigten West. Poll: Illinois picked to finish last in West https://t.co/p8pHm5fhhh via @news_gazette

— Bob Asmussen (@BobAsmussen) July 17, 2019

Want to think happy #illini thoughts? Here are the top-10 reasons for Illini football optimism this fallhttps://t.co/Fsm0yNardd

— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) July 15, 2019

🗣 Cutting my last again within the next few weeks @TiptonEdits pic.twitter.com/gkPvUG6nYr

— Adam AceWolf Miller (@AceWolf44) July 15, 2019

#Illini target @NimariBurnett is back in the Peach Jam finals yet again. Double-figure scorer in every game this EYBL season. Hit some clutch FTs late. Brad Underwood & the staff were in the house tonight. https://t.co/xiwQbfo9vQ

— Derek Piper (@DPiper247) July 14, 2019

#Illini staff is now 3-deep watching Steward. And he just buried one from about 30 feet. Tip dunk that rocked the house earlier this quarter. He's leveled up right now.

— Derek Piper (@DPiper247) July 13, 2019

We've got Mac Irvin vs. WhyNot in the night cap. #Illini targets include Adam Miller, Nimari Burnett, Addison Patterson, Ryan Kalkbrenner, Marcus Watson & Michael Foster.

Brad Underwood & Chin Coleman watching this one. pic.twitter.com/FGbAc09jQH

— Derek Piper (@DPiper247) July 13, 2019

Illinois freshman center Samba Kane entered the transfer portal, sources told ESPN. 7-footer played a minimal role last season, showed some flashes in non-conference play.

— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) July 12, 2019

Just a couple dudes who wanna coach DJ Steward... pic.twitter.com/q3qtWBQJeh

— Derek Piper (@DPiper247) July 12, 2019

Here at Peach Jam checking out #Illini targets Adam Miller, Ryan Kalkbrenner, Marcus Watson and Michael Foster.

Illinois assistant Chin Coleman is watching this one. Brad Underwood is watching DJ Steward. pic.twitter.com/V5ukScWw6g

— Derek Piper (@DPiper247) July 12, 2019

5-star guard, Chicago native Nimari Burnett lists #illini among his top schoolshttps://t.co/ocXvOWzq8R

— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) July 11, 2019

#Illini assistant Orlando Antigua is courtside here at adidas watching top-100 wing Jalen Bridges (@jalenbridgess) for Wildcats Select.

— Derek Piper (@DPiper247) July 11, 2019

Crowded gym for Mac Irvin Fire vs. Indy Heat. I see Sean Miller and Brad Underwood here for Adam Miller. Iowa's Fran McCaffery and Sherman Dillard are here for Kiyron Powell and John Hugley. pic.twitter.com/j9VZ5pc6MH

— Matthew Bain (@MatthewBain_) July 11, 2019

Will four-star wing Addison Patterson reclassify? Which schools have prioritized him? He breaks it down at Peach Jam | Story: https://t.co/6mwvK9sMgo pic.twitter.com/ndEvRYKPOC

— Evan Daniels (@EvanDaniels) July 11, 2019

#Illini PG Trent Frazier is primed to meet big expectations in Champaign this season. Caught up with him after the team's first practice for Italy.

Full Q&A on the offseason focus, Italy preparations & personal growth.

"We know what it takes to win."https://t.co/gWINkEzsFK

— Derek Piper (@DPiper247) July 10, 2019

A trip home when you haven't been back in awhile can be a game changer. For @IlliniMBB sophomore @SambaKanesa, it had been 3 years since his last visit to Senegal. @WCIA3Bret reports how the visit is helping the #Illini center both on/off the court, watch: https://t.co/Uoazg1qDaa

— WCIA 3 Sports (@WCIA3sports) July 11, 2019

#illini coach Lovie Smith continues to appear in hot-seat columns. But Illinois AD Josh Whitman continues to voice unwavering support.

"I believe in Coach Smith," he said. "I believe in our coaching staff."https://t.co/BThHUj9m1F

— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) July 11, 2019

Back from vacation. Wrote some football words. https://t.co/kfuWcl6i4d

— Robert (@ALionEye) July 10, 2019

Preparation for our upcoming trip to Italy 🇮🇹 is underway.

Practice 1 ✅#Illini x #EveryDayGuys 🔶🔷 pic.twitter.com/ur7H2YMeDF

— Illinois Basketball (@IlliniMBB) July 9, 2019

#Illini freshman Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk is in Champaign & he can begin his preparations for the Italy trip next month. More details on the versatile Belgian forward...https://t.co/JWiEoXMEWj

— Derek Piper (@DPiper247) July 8, 2019

Giorgi Bezhanishvili is proud of his Georgian roots, and the @IlliniMBB sophomore forward is looking to use basketball to help his home country. #Illinihttps://t.co/u9baTU367E via @srrichey pic.twitter.com/WFPBT8liUH

— IlliniHQ (@IlliniHQ) July 7, 2019

Top #Illini target, Adam Miller, is back home in Peoria working hard on his game before his senior year at Morgan Park. He hasn't trimmed his list down yet, but says Illinois is watching him a lot on the AAU circuit. @KurtPeglar caught up with Miller here. https://t.co/JhaC6ZMFcc

— WCIA 3 Sports (@WCIA3sports) July 8, 2019

2019 @IlliniAthletics Freshman of the Year 👉 @AyoDos_11 🏆

The best is yet to come. 😤#Illini x #EveryDayGuys 🔶🔷 pic.twitter.com/ftboAnIkCr

— Illinois Basketball (@IlliniMBB) July 5, 2019