Derek Piper
@DPiper247
Followers
28K
Following
4K
Media
2K
Statuses
33K
Lead Basketball Reporter for https://t.co/65Gp4aZJMa on the @247Sports network. Co-host of @TheDrive935 on ESPN Radio weekdays 3-5 p.m. Deliverer of #PipeBombs.
Champaign, IL
Joined October 2009
#Illini Matthew Mayer said he’s been sick the past few days with “caffeine poisoning”. Said he drank five Monster energy drinks while playing video games on Sunday (after OSU) and this is his first day back at practice.
231
438
5K
Ayo Dosunmu kisses the ‘I’ on his last night in State Farm Center as a player
34
440
4K
#Illini Underwood: "If anyone in here expected anything different. The best player in the game played 8 minutes. You saw a little bit of what he could do when he was in the game. Controlling the game with pick n rolls & passes. But today, he didn't get to play.".
58
178
2K
This level of competence & swagger in Illinois football. Pretty rare in my lifetime. Huge credit to Bret Bielema.
17
77
2K
Jim Boeheim last month on B1G's lack of tourney success: "All of their wins were in their league. If you can’t play in the [NCAA] tournament, then you’re not good.”. Jim Boeheim in November: Loses to Colgate, St. John's, Bryant & then Illinois by 29.
49
148
2K
Not every day you see a triple-double in the NCAA Tournament. Marcus Domask: 12 pts, 11 rebs, 10 asts. Transfer portal grand slam.
9
65
2K
Coleman Hawkins after Arkansas: “When there’s promises for guys, when there’s little things like a freshman point guard coming in & bailing on you when times get tough…”.
Skyy Clark committing to Louisville five minutes after Illinois lost is nasty business. that’s not a coincidence.
108
137
2K
UCONN fan behind me: "Dude, we don't want Illinois. We don't want Illinois at all.".
31
70
1K
Oregon joins Penn State (circa 2020) as the two places I’ve been to with a top-10 team in the country & curtains in the upper deck. Rather sparse crowd in Eugene. Rose Bowl being yesterday doesn’t help.
84
28
1K
Update the stat. Brad Underwood is now 12-5 in his last 17 games against top-10 teams.
11
117
1K
#Illini Underwood on having high-profile recruits watch that scene & B1G championship: "If they didn't enjoy that, then they can go somewhere else & we can kick their ass".
21
101
1K
For the first time in 19 years, the #Illini will once again taste the sweetness of the Sweet 16. Brad Underwood has checked a number of “first time since 2005” boxes in recent years. This was a big one that is no longer blank. 3-seed Illinois vs. 2-seed Iowa State in Boston.
15
45
1K
A coach recently told me: “If you’ve got a 5-star, lock it up!” Well. #Committed #RespectHerDecision #NoInterviews #BragginRightsEve
76
35
1K
#Illini Ayo Dosunmu: I think we're so confident because the kind of coach we have is so great. When he yells at you, we don't take it as punishment. We take it as he wants to win a championship.
9
89
1K
#Illini Underwood on Trent Frazier coming back for B1G title ceremony: Who gets on a 13-hour flight for something that might take 15 minutes? Shows how much it means to him.
13
53
1K
Terrence Shannon Jr. greets Brad Underwood & Chris Beard here at his draft party in Chicago
15
54
1K
5-star incoming freshman Will Riley has reported to Champaign
6
46
1K
#Illini AD Josh Whitman has decided to raise Terrence Shannon Jr.'s jersey into the SFC rafters, he told reporters today. "We're happy to make an exception in this case to recognize one of the great players that this program has ever seen.". READ:
45
163
1K
Ayo did it again. Illinois wins again on the road. Unbelievable. Illini currently have sole possession of 1st place in the B1G at 7-2. Have reeled off six in a row. Wins at Wisconsin, Purdue & Michigan. Who else in college basketball is closing games like Ayo Dosunmu right now?.
12
82
1K
“I’m pretty sure that’ll make national news…”. Cooley & Epps are 2-23 vs. high-major teams over at Georgetown. No one with that record is making national news.
Ed Cooley discussing Jayden Epps’ development:. “It’s almost like he’s a new player. It’s something I saw in his freshman year when he played for… that other bullshit school.” 😳👀.
42
141
1K
Curbelo blatantly tripped. Then an intention foul on Goode. Bo Boroski, everyone.
38
93
1K
5-star wing Will Riley announces his commitment to the #Illini. A raise-the-bar get for Brad Underwood & Co. 6-foot-8 with great skill & shot-making ability. @DraftExpress projects him as a 1st round pick in 2025. Orlando Antigua effect here.
9
106
1K
With more business to finish. Star #Illini guard Ayo Dosunmu (@AyoDos_11) announces he's returning to Champaign for Year 3. "My dream is to play in the NBA, but first I need that national championship.".
16
127
1K
BREAKING: Top-50 guard Adam Miller (@AceWolf44) has committed to the #Illini. Brad Underwood & Co. land an extremely gifted scorer with length & a supreme outside stroke. Illinois current sits with the top-ranked 2020 haul in the Big Ten.
20
211
1K
Unbelievable win. Ayo keeps writing his story. Wasn't lying about unfinished business. Illinois just beat No. 9 at their place. Best road win in the B1G thus far. First top-10 win on the road for the program since 2012. Special stuff.
8
60
998
Brad Underwood is now 11-5 in his last 16 games against top-10 teams.
13
62
1K
For just the third time in the last 30 years, the Illini are headed to the Elite Eight. What a ride! . Gutsy performance to outlast 2-seed Iowa State. It was tense. It was a stomach-turning. Terrence Shannon (29 pts) shut the door late & continues his ridiculous postseason run.
12
40
999
We made an offseason addition as well & it’s a game changer. Long wingspan, active hands, Momma’s boy but tough. Class of 2040.
45
5
981
Underwood to Illini fans: “We’ve got six more of those to play. We need all of your support.”.
5
31
959
Illini dominate No. 9 Oregon 109-77. Statement win for Brad Underwood's squad. First time the Illini have scored 100 against a top-10 team since. Dec. 22, 1990. Illinois beat Shaquille O'Neal & No. 10 LSU 102-96.
14
37
984
BREAKING: Top-100 point guard Andre Curbelo has committed to the #Illini. Big-time get for Brad Underwood, Orlando Antigua & the Illinois staff.
11
159
930
Side note: That was as fun of a basketball game as I’ve ever covered. High level.
9
28
949
#Illini hosting Warren guard @_JaxsonDavis tonight. One of the top freshmen in the state, who just put up 36 points in the Proviso West Holiday Tournament title game.
18
42
939
Column: #Illini athletics should make a rafters exception for Terrence Shannon Jr., following Thursday's not guilty verdict. Shannon was not a consensus All-American with his ongoing case, but his jersey should still go in its rightful place. READ:
38
71
934
Asked Terrence Shannon Jr. if he’s looking forward to seeing Hunter Dickinson again. “Yeah, I plan on beating him again.”
6
55
937
Ayo. Gave No. 2 Michigan 23.Gave No. 13 Maryland 20.Gave No. 9 Michigan St 24. Think he likes the big stage? Dude's special.
10
72
909
Evansville forward Ben Humrichous has committed to the #Illini. Big get. Really skilled and versatile offensively.
14
57
912
Brad Underwood swung for the fences & got his guy. Orlando Antigua back to Champaign.
5
30
888
Purdue's 15-game winning streak in B1G home games snapped. First win in Mackey for Illinois since 2008. Hottest team in the Big Ten. Ayo was every bit of a PRO tonight. Kofi dominated. Trent en fuego. Giorgi big threes. Near flawless 2nd half. Ceiling is the roof.
12
52
850
What a game! What an early-season win for the #Illini over No. 11 FAU. That Owls squad has been where Illinois wants to go & the Illini showed something tonight about its ceiling. Domask & Shannon were incredible. Don’t overlook Harmon either. That’s a bona fide Quad 1 W.
8
26
864
#Illini Ayo Dosunmu: It's bigger than this one game. One game doesn't define you. All the greats had to go through adversity. I'm just going to keep my head high and try to soak it all in.
9
23
806
COMMIT: #Illini land 4-star 2025 guard Keaton Wagler following his official visit in Champaign last weekend. 6-foot-6 sharpshooter who also has game off the bounce & a winning pedigree. READ:
3
45
820
Breaking: Top in-state prospect Ayo Dosunmu (@AyoDos_11) has committed to the #Illini. HUGE get for Underwood & Co. in so many ways.
12
247
776
Ty Rodgers is a massive get for the #Illini. The epitome of an ‘Underwood guy’. Two-way impact player who is tough as nails, plays with a high motor and he has versatile offensive skill set. To pull him out of Michigan… Wow. Big credit to Tim Anderson. Making moves right away.
5
36
787
Dream spot for TSJ with Ant & Co. League Pass that squad every night.
5
29
787
Mizzou getting smacked by an undermanned Iowa State squad 👀.
37
39
763
Illinois on Saturdays, Bears on Sundays for the last 30 years
11
79
762
#Illini signee Andre Curbelo (@papicurbelo11) has a message for Kofi Cockburn (@kxng_alpha) as he mulls over his NBA Draft decision. "Come back so we can put on a show together.".
7
68
745
6
19
746
When it’s rockin’ like it was tonight, no other place I’d rather watch a basketball game. Cheers to another memorable one. Until next season, SFC ✌🏻
4
18
745
"Get on this bandwagon now," @TheAndyKatz says. He ranks the #Illini at No. 21 in his latest preseason rankings.
21
160
747
Statement win for the Illini over No. 8 UCLA. Gutsy as hell after being down 15. Flashed their talent & defensive tenacity. Handful of NBA people in the building tonight and Shannon looked like every bit of a 1st round talent. Difference maker. What a fun (and very good) team.
5
48
743
#Illini Kofi on 'One More Year' chants when he was cutting the net: "I almost said it too. It just felt right.".
2
14
707
BREAKING: Jamall Walker has reached an agreement to stay on as an #Illini assistant. HUGE news for Underwood & Co.
34
288
703
#Illini are making a late push for 5-star PG Cayden Boozer, who Orlando Antigua was previously recruiting at Kentucky. Brad Underwood & Co. had a Zoom with him this week & extended an offer. "They're a good school that produces NBA talent.". READ:
10
52
729
#Illini Underwood: What a joke & how disappointed I am that Trent's not on that award finalist list. Obviously, they don't talk to college coaches. They don't look at the right numbers. He's the best defender in the country.
3
37
714
#Illini signee @luke_goode21 getting that @SportsCenter love. As SVP likes to say. No. 1 in the hood, G
5
80
715
Ayo: "I just wanted to be different. Not many 5-star recruits have decided to stay home. I want to change the culture.".
5
146
701
BREAKING: Top-40 center Kofi Cockburn (@kxng_alpha) has committed to the #Illini. Absolutely huge get at a critical time in the rebuild. EYBL’s leading rebounder in 2018. Physical monster in the paint. Orlando Antigua did work on this one.
14
136
698
#Illini Underwood's first words: Sencire Harris. It's amazing you go into the game with a mindset about the game. For some reason, I didn't play him in the 1st half. Needed to get our press goin' in the 2nd half. He was great.
10
26
690
#Illini Underwood: I want everybody in that locker room back. We'll have conversations. I feel like if we get all our guys back, we'll be one of the best teams in the country.
134
16
683
How bout that for a response? Quad 3 loss to a near 30-point Quad 1 win at Assembly Hall. Illini embarrass the Hoosiers. No handshakes after the game. Kasparas Jakucionis & Kylan Boswell combine for 41 points, 10 rebs & 7 assists. Wow.
5
31
710
How many 5s are absolute toast in this situation? Big time stuff.
13
24
689
Good ol fashion ass kickin. Illini destroy NW 96-66 without Terrence Shannon Jr. Super impressive. First time Illinois has scored 90+ in three straight games since the 1993-94 season. First time that kind of streak has included at least one high-major opponent since 1987-88.
6
28
681
Duke & Kansas swinging that door to the 3-line wide open for Illinois.
12
24
677
Coleman Hawkins says that he thinks this was his last season with the #Illini, despite having a COVID year option. Said he’s ready to take the next step and that’s to go to the next level.
13
18
665
Hear there's a guy interested in repping Nicco Moretti on some NIL if the Illini win this game.
5
34
658
Top 4 freshmen scorers in B1G play. Romeo Langford (21.3 PPG).Ayo Dosunmu (16.5 PPG).Ignas Brazdeikis (14.5 PPG).Giorgi Bezhanishvili (13.3 PPG). 5-star, 5-star, High 4-star, No. 370 in the 247Composite . 🤷🏼♂️.
9
78
642
Like when have we seen this? Ever??.
10
24
667
Adam Miller to #Illini fans: “I want everyone to know that comin’ & I’m going to change the culture.”.
4
40
632
Brad Underwood is now 6-0 against Juwan Howard. Nice win for the Illini to close things out at home. Went 8-2 during B1G play in this building for the 4th straight year. Game definitely had a March feel. Still a lot to sort out with a six-way tie for 2nd in the B1G.
10
26
640
#Illini Ayo: We have an opportunity to put the country on notice. Take what we want. Take what we need. We believe we're the best team in the country.
6
27
646
Brad Underwood: 7.Juwan Howard: 0. Illini win their seventh straight vs. UM 88-73. Ridiculously good game from Coleman Hawkins. What a bounce-back from Quincy Guerrier as well. 37 pts & 24 rebs between 'em.
5
28
636
There will be a trophy in the building at State Farm Center tonight. See you there.
5
21
627
#Illini guard Nicco Moretti has been cleared for game action & will be in uniform tomorrow vs. Maryland, per Brad Underwood. He said that Moretti has been back in practice since last Sunday.
6
27
641
Boo Buie entered today having scored double figures in 17 of 18 games this season. 9 points on 3-for-11 shooting with Trent Frazier on him throughout the afternoon.
21
32
613
Riley’s mom says that Will will begin workouts at Illinois in July.
2
18
627
50-24 Illinois . Duquesne talked about holding this team in the 60s. About that….
15
17
620
I'm pretty sure TJD just did the "I own you" to the Orange Krush. With this win, he is now 2-4 against Illinois.
28
39
607
#Illini signee Ayo Dosunmu concludes his HS career with 28 points & a state title. Next stop. Champaign.
10
66
607
Down 15 early 2nd half vs. UCLA. Down 5 with a min left vs. Texas. Down 18 at half vs. Northwestern. Somehow, all three were wins.
6
32
608
#Illini Underwood: We were in a position to win a national championship, to be quite honest.
12
34
605