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Illinois guard Stefan Vaaks drives to the rim in the Illini's 101-66 exhibition win over UIC on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois.

Illinois Basketball 2026-27 Scouting Report: Stefan Vaaks

Vaaks brings elite shooting and playmaking to Illinois, but improving his defense and rebounding will be key to his success

Pranav Hegde

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Oct 30, 2026

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Illinois Fighting Illini guard Blake Fagbemi (8) shoots the ball during practice ahead of a Final Four game on Friday, April 3, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Illinois Basketball 2026-27 Scouting Report: Blake Fagbemi

Apr 2, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois head coach Brad Underwood during a press conference ahead of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Brad Underwood Updates Injury Status of Five Illinois Players Before UIC Exhibition

Illinois guard Lucas Morillo elevates for a shot against Baylor in the Illini's 95-91 exhibition loss against the Bears on Friday at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois.

Illinois Basketball 2026-27 Scouting Report: Lucas Morillo

Illinois guard Quentin Coleman (11) drives to the hoop against a Baylor defender in the Illini's 95-91 loss to the Bears on Friday at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois.

How to Watch Illinois Basketball vs UIC Exhibition Game

Football

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Oct 3, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema before a game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Gies Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Bret Bielema Offers Illinois Football Injury Update: Two Illini Out for the Year

Oct 24, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini offensive lineman Nathan Knapik (71) lifts Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Collin Dixon (17) after Dixon scored a touchdown against the Oregon Ducks during the second half at Gies Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Social Media Reacts to Illinois Football's Upset Win Over Oregon

Illinois’ Aidan Laughery runs for a touchdown after a catch against Michigan State during the first quarter on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.

3 Key Stats From Illinois Football's Upset Win Over Oregon

Oct 24, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Ismael Kante (26) celebrates the 21-10 win over the Oregon Ducks at Gies Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Illinois Football Upsets Oregon 21-10 in Season-Saving Triumph

Oregon quarterback Dylan Raiola throws a pass during warmups as the Oregon Ducks host the UCLA Bruins on Oct. 10, 2026, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.

3 Bold Predictions for Illinois Football vs. Oregon: One QB Shines, Another Struggles

Oct 26, 2024; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning and Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema meet after a game at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

How to Watch: Illinois Football vs. Oregon in Week 8

Sep 26, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore (5) throws a pass against the USC Trojans during the first half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

Illinois vs. Oregon: 3 Players to Know From Availability Report

Oct 26, 2024; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema, left, and Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning talk before a game at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

ESPN FPI Predicts Illinois vs. Oregon: Tighter Than Expected?

Basketball

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Apr 4, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Tomislav Ivisic (13) reacts after losing to the Connecticut Huskies during a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Illinois Basketball Player Grades After Baylor Exhibition Loss

Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts in the first half against the Iowa Hawkeyes during an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

What Went Wrong – and Right – for Illinois Basketball in Loss to Baylor

Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Zvonimir Ivisic (44) reacts in the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes during an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Illinois Basketball 2026-27 Scouting Report: Zvonimir Ivisic

Apr 4, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts against the Connecticut Huskies in the second half during a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Three Overreactions to Illinois Basketball's Exhibition Loss to Baylor

Feb 10, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts during the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

5 Stats That Defined Illinois Basketball's Exhibition Loss to Baylor

Northwest’s Landon Davis (13) drives down the court to the basket against Waukee on Feb. 3, 2026, at Waukee High School.

Illinois Basketball 2026-27 Scouting Report: Landon Davis

Dec 9, 2025; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts to a call during the first half against the Ohio State Buckeyes Value City Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

Brad Underwood Offers Major Injury Update on David Mirkovic, Addresses Other Illini

Illinois forward Jake Davis (15) runs back on defense after sinking a shot in the Illini's 105-96 exhibition win at Cincinnati on Oct. 17.

Live Game Thread, Updates for Illinois Basketball vs. Baylor Exhibition

Recruiting

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Feb 1, 2026; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood walks onto the court before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

Illinois Basketball to Host 2029 Forward Bronx Ganaway in Unofficial Visit

Oct 3, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema before a game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Gies Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Illinois Football Lands Top JUCO Interior Offensive Lineman Harry Maileoi

Sunnsylope forward Darius Wabbington (21) drives on St Mary’s forward Cam Williams (1) during the Open Boys Championship game at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix on March 7, 2026.

Illinois Basketball Lands in 2027 5-Star Darius Wabbington's Top 3

Dec 9, 2025; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts to a call during the first half against the Ohio State Buckeyes Value City Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

Illinois Misses on Another 5-Star 2027 Guard: Are the Illini Out of Options?

Feb 27, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood greets the crowd before the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Illinois Basketball 5-Star Targets See Same Appealing Promise in Champaign

Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood watches as his team plays March 21, 2026 during the first half of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament second round game against VCU at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina.

Illinois to Host Benjamin Berrouet: Can the Illini Land Multiple 5-Star Prospects?

Central Catholic quarterback Owen Herrick steps back in the pocket during the PIAA Class 6A football championship game at Cumberland Valley High School, Friday, Dec. 6, 2025, in Mechanicsburg, Pa.

Illinois Football Lands Top-30 2028 Quarterback Owen Herrick

Apr 4, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts against the Connecticut Huskies in the second half during a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Is Illinois' Freshman Class Poised to Be the Best of the Brad Underwood Era?

Olympic Sports

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Brandon Dang competes in the pommel horse on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024 during the Winter Cup Men s Day 2 Competition at the Kentucky International Convention Center.

Illinois Men's Gymnast Brandon Dang Wins National Title

Jeremy Hunter was named Illinois wrestling's permanent head coach on Thursday after serving 25 years as an assistant for the program and assuming the role of acting head coach in December.

Illinois Wrestling Names Jeremy Hunter Permanent Head Coach

Jun 1, 2024; Hamilton, Ontario, CAN; Adrien Dumont de Chassart hits his tee shot at the seventh hole during the third round of the RBC Canadian Open golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

Former Illini Adrien Dumont de Chassart Wins Event With Record-Breaking Round

Mar 22, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Lucas Byrd of the Illinois Fighting Illini celebrates win against Drake Ayala of the Iowa Hawkeyes (not pictured) during the Division I Men's Wrestling Championship held at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Defending National Champ Lucas Byrd Will Return to Illinois for Senior Season

May 23, 2025; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Nick Hardy plays his shot from the ninth tee during the second round of the Charles Schwab Challenge golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-Imagn Images

Illinois Golf Alum Nick Hardy Fires Another Steady Round at 3M Open

Feb 25, 2024; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Shauna Green watches her team play the Iowa Hawkeyes during the second half at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-Imagn Images

Illinois Women's Basketball Offers Dynamic Freshman Daughter of Former Illini

Mar 22, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Lucas Byrd of the Illinois Fighting Illini celebrates win against Drake Ayala of the Iowa Hawkeyes (not pictured) during the Division I Men's Wrestling Championship held at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Illinois Wrestling Coach Mike Poeta Receives Contract Extension

Jul 6, 2025; Silvis, Illinois, USA; Brian Campbell lines up a putt on the 9th hole during the final round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

Illinois Golf Alum Brian Campbell Wins the John Deere Classic

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