Orange Minute (April 26, 2018)

Illinois received a commitment from three-star Chicago Phillips defensive back Joseph Thompson on Wednesday.

Thompson was originally committed to Iowa State.

Thompson’s high school teammate Jahlell Billingsley is a target still for Illinois in the class of 2019.

Illinois currently has the 32nd-best class in the nation in 2019, according to 247.

Joey Gerber named to Stopper of the Year Watch List

Illinois closer Joey Gerber was named to the 2018 Stopper of the Year Midseason Watch List on Thursday. He’s one of three players from the Big Ten and 41 on the list.

Gerber leads the Big Ten in saves with 12, and he may break Tyler Jay’s 2015 record of 14.

Opponents are hitting just .179 against Gerber this season.

Illinois travels to No. 15 Indiana this weekend for a conference series.

Illinois Women’s Tennis begins Big Ten Tournament

The Illini start the Big Ten Tournament on Friday in Minneapolis against Nebraska.

Click here for a full preview of the tournament and the Illini’s chances.

Several Illini Men’s Tennis players earn awards

Freshman Alex Brown and senior Aleks Vukic were named to the First Team All-Big Ten list on Thursday afternoon. Senior Aron Hiltzik took Second-Team honors.

Vukic went 12-5 this season and made the First-Team for his third-straight year.

Brown went 21-10 this year and is on a seven-match winning streak.

Hiltzik finishes with a career record of 27-6 against Big Ten singles opponents.

Illinois opens in the Big Ten Tournament on Friday afternoon versus Penn State or Purdue.