ILLINI GUYS

About The Show

Larry Smith grew up in Mattoon, and eventually became a lead sports anchor at CNN and NBA TV. He’s currently a news anchor for an NBC affiliate in a large media market. His smooth voice is second to none, and, in addition to his anchor duty,he is a highly sought-after basketball and football commentator. Larry has never forgotten the thrill of watching the fourth-ranked Illini beat Magic Johnson and the No. 1 Michigan State team in the final seconds. He has remained a diehard Illini faneven as his work has taken him all over the United States.

Brad Sturdy has been the pre-eminent insider for Illini sports for the past 15 years. He grew up watching Illinois basketball. Even as a kid, he analyzed zone defenses, pick-and-rolls, and high-post offenses. He still remembers vividly the moment Eddie Johnson made the game winning basket with two seconds left in the game to lead the Illini to a dramatic win over the top ranked Michigan State Spartans on January 11, 1979. He is the busiest man we know –an educator, a Hall of Fame coach, a school administrator, a basketball analyst, a recruiting guru and last –but certainly not least –a father.

Mike Cagley is the Illini Guys visionary and the voice of the common man fan. He grew up in Mahomet, just outside of Champaign, IL cheering for Derek Harper, Efrem Winters and Tony Eason. His jobs have taken him all over the country and, as a well-traveled AAU basketball coach, he has worked with many high school and college coaches. He grew up listening to Jim Turpin and Loren Tate talk Illini sports on Saturday mornings and he’s excited to be following in their footsteps.