Jackson Langendorf

Joined: Oct 21, 2024

Primarily covers Illinois football and basketball, and Kansas basketball, with an emphasis on analysis, features and recruiting. Langendorf, a third-generation University of Illinois alum, has been watching Illini basketball and football for as long as he can remember. An advertising student and journalism devotee, he has been writing for On SI since October 2024. He can be followed and reached on X @jglangendorf.

Feb 4, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood prepares his game plan before tip-off against the Northwestern Wildcats at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Basketball

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

Basketball

Dec 13, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Tomislav Ivisic (13) reacts after scoring during the second half against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Basketball

Nov 19, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood yells to his team during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Basketball

Underwood has a volatile March Madness track record. Can he and the Illini combine consistency with high upside to make a deep run in 2026?

Mar 8, 2026; College Park, Maryland, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) reacts after shooting a three point basket during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini still have room for growth. Here is one thing each rotation player can improve on for the NCAA Tournament.

Mar 8, 2026; College Park, Maryland, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) drives to the basket on Maryland Terrapins center Collin Metcalf (45) during the first half at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Basketball

Bilas, one of college hoops' foremost pundits, envisions the Illini making a deep March run – until they meet an all-too-familiar opponent

Nov 11, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts during the second half against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Basketball

The third-seeded Illini are heavily favored to take down the 14th-seeded Quakers, but how confident are the advanced numbers in Illinois?

Feb 4, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts during the second half against the Northwestern Wildcats at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Basketball

Underwood shared what he believes the Illini will need to do to survive and advance in the Big Dance

Mar 13, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Zvonimir Ivisic (44) celebrates after scoring against the Wisconsin Badgers during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini are the No. 3 seed in the South Region at the NCAA Tournament. Here is our game-by-game prediction for the region.

Feb 8, 2022; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers head coach Matt Painter and Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood talk after the game at Mackey Arena. Boilermakers won 84-68. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini were slotted as a No. 3 seed, while the Boilermakers earned a No. 2. Was Illinois snubbed?

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

Basketball

The Illini heard their names called in the NCAA Tournament bracket reveal on Sunday. Here are three initial thoughts.

Mar 13, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) reacts at the end of the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Basketball

There appear to be two undecided No. 2 seeds in the NCAA Tournament, with three teams in the battle. Which squad will be left out?

Mar 13, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts during overtime at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini have come up just short a shocking number of times this season. It all adds up to a big difference come Selection Sunday.

Mar 13, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini again fell in overtime to the Badgers – and this time when it really counted. Here are five stats that tell the tale.

Mar 8, 2026; College Park, Maryland, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) dribbles up the court during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini can't afford to lose to the Badgers on Friday at Chicago's United Center. Here's why.

Jackson Langendorf

Joined: Oct 21, 2024

5 Key Stats That Could Define Illinois Basketball's 2026 NCAA Tournament Run

College Basketball Experts Reveal Illinois' 2026 NCAA Tournament Predictions

Former Illinois Target Plans to Enter Transfer Portal Again – Time to Reconnect?

Illinois Basketball's NCAA Tournament Chances Depend on These Three Players

Basketball

Can Illinois and Brad Underwood Change Their NCAA Tournament Narrative?

Basketball

One Area of Improvement for Every Illinois Player for the NCAA Tournament

Basketball

ESPN's Jay Bilas Predicts a Deep Illinois Run – But a Familiar Foe Looms

Basketball

ESPN Analytics Predict Illinois vs. Penn NCAA Tournament Matchup

Basketball

Brad Underwood on What Illinois Needs for a Deep NCAA Tournament Run

Basketball

How Far Can Illinois Go? Projecting the NCAA Tournament South Region

Basketball

Did Illinois Get Snubbed? The Case for a No. 2 Seed Over Purdue

Basketball

3 Immediate Takeaways From Illinois' NCAA Tournament Draw

Two No. 2 Seeds for Three Teams: Illinois, Michigan State, Iowa State

One Play Away: The Difference Between a No. 1 and No. 3 Seed for Illinois

5 Brutal Stats That Explain Illinois' Loss to Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tournament

Why Beating Wisconsin Is the Key to Illinois' NCAA Tournament Seeding