Shandel Richardson

Joined: Oct 21, 2023

Shandel has covered the NBA since 2010, with previous stops at The Athletic and South Florida Sun-Sentinel. He has covered six NBA Finals, one Super Bowl, the NCAA basketball tournament. He has also been a beat writer for the Miami Hurricanes and contributed on every major beat in South Florida since 2003, including the Miami Dolphins and Miami Marlins. He can also be read in the Sportsbook Review for gambling coverage from around the NBA. A native of Bloomington, Illinois, Shandel attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. He's also worked for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and Kansas City Star. TWITTER: @ShandelRich EMAIL: shandelrich@gmail.com You can subscribe to our YouTube channel here Follow all of our Miami Heat coverage on Facebook here

Sep 28, 2024; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin (right) shakes hands with Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema following a game at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Illinois 21-7. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

Penn State running back Nick Singleton (10) gets tripped up while carrying the ball in the fourth quarter of a Big Ten football game against Illinois, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in State College, Pa.

Mar 30, 2024; Boston, MA, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Marcus Domask (3) dribbles the ball against the Connecticut Huskies in the finals of the East Regional of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

Feb 10, 2022; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Taylor Rooks appears on the red carpet prior to the NFL Honors awards presentation at YouTube Theater. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Sep 20, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) warms up before a game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

ESPN anchor Scott Van Pelt was impressed by Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer in Nebraska victory

Sep 20, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule and Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema talk before a game at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

The Illinois Fighting Illini moved up five spots to No. 19 in Associated Press rankings

Sep 20, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) drops to throw against Nebraska Cornhuskers linebacker MJ Sherman (48) during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

The Illinois Fighting Illini pick up their second win against a ranked opponent after defeating Nebraska Friday night

Aug 29, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema on the sidelines during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

On Monday, tight end Grant Smith of Maroa-Forsyth announced his verbal to the Illini for the 2025 class. He is a three-star recruit from one of the state's top small-school programs. Bielema said staying relevant in the Central Illinois area is important.

Sep 14, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

The Illinois Fighting Illini had too much sloppy play in last week's win against Central Michigan. They hope to correct against Nebraska in Big Ten opener

Sep 14, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Pat Bryant (13) scores a touchdown against the Central Michigan Chippewas during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Illinois receiver Pat Bryant is off to a strong start because of his improved chemistry with quarterback Luke Altmyer

Sep 7, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Zakhari Franklin (4) runs for a first down as Kansas Jayhawks safety Marvin Grant (4) pursues during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Illinois receiver Zakhari Franklin and Pat Bryant are making it tough for opposing defenses. The biggest test comes this weekend against Nebraska in the Big Ten opener

Sep 14, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema on the sidelines during the second half against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

The Illinois football program has everything going in its favor. They are 3-0 for the first time since 2011. They are ranked for the first time since 2022. All

Sep 14, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Pat Bryant (13) stiff arms Central Michigan Chippewas defensive lineman Jaden Davis (95) during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

After starting 3-0 for the first time since 2011, the Illinois Fighting Illini are No. 24 in the Top 25

After last week's upset of Kansas, the Illinois Fighting Illini are receiving more attention from high-profile recruits.

Sep 8, 2023; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Tyler Strain (20) celebrates after tackling Kansas Jayhawks wide receiver Quentin Skinner (0) during the first half at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Illini defensive back Tyler Strain is back in the lineup after missing opener against Eastern Illinois and being limited last week against Kansas

Sep 7, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Xavier Scott (14) intercepts the ball in front of Kansas Jayhawks wide receiver Quentin Skinner (0) during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Illinois coach Brett Bielema says defensive back Xavier Scott could make the NFL because of his ability to play multiple positions

Shandel Richardson

Joined: Oct 21, 2023

Illinois' Bret Bielema Remains Confident In Team After Penn State Loss

Illini "Pissed" After Blowing Opportunities In Penn State

Former Illini Player Invited To NBA Training Camp

Illinois Grad Taylor Rooks Enjoying Trash-Talking Element Of The Illini's 4-0 Start

ESPN Anchor Shows Some Love For Illini QB Scott Van Pelt

Illinois Makes Big Jump In AP Rankings After Nebraska Victory

Behind QB Luke Altmyer, Illinois Improves To 4-0 After Win At Nebraska

Latest TE Commitment Shows How Illinois Has Benefitted From Early-Season Success

Illinois Looking To Correct One Glaring Issue On Offense Against Nebraska

Illinois' Luke Altmyer And Pat Bryant Being On Same Page Paying Off This Season

Addition Of Illini WR Zakhari Franklin Gives Offense Another Dimension

Illinois' Bret Bielema Searching For "Teachable" Moments After Central Michigan Win

Fast Start Has Illinois Back In The Top 25 For First Time Since 2022

Illini's Bret Bielema Handles Highs And Lows Of Recent Recruiting Surge With Success

Illinois Should Have Added Help In Defensive Backfield Against Central Michigan

Versatility Could Play Role In Illini DB Xavier Scott Making Next Level