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.

Dec 29, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) and teammate Kylan Boswell (4) react in the closing minutes of the second half against the Southern University Jaguars at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Basketball

Giorgi Bezhanishvili and Coleman Hawkins are finding their respective rhythms in the NBA's developmental league

Dec 9, 2025; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) handles the ball as Ohio State Buckeyes guard John Mobley Jr. (0) defends during the first halfat Value City Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

Basketball

Four Illini players are projected as NBA Draft picks in Jonathan Wasserman's latest mock draft, and we weigh in on the findings

Nov 23, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood during the first half against the Maryland-Eastern Shore Hawks at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini, who were seemingly finished with 2026 recruiting, have now sent out two offers in the past few weeks

Oct 11, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema during warmups prior to a game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Football

When the Illini and Volunteers meet in Nashville in Tuesday's Music City Bowl, which team has the edge according to the metrics?

Nov 14, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood greets the crowd before the tip of the game with the Colgate Raiders at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Basketball

ESPN's Jeff Borzello pushed the Illini up in his latest rankings, following their 43-point demolition of Missouri

Dec 13, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) drives the ball past Nebraska Cornhuskers forward Berke Buyuktuncel (9) during the first half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini have the tools to potentially battle the conference's top foes (Michigan and Purdue, among others), but can they actually make a run for the crown?

Dec 7, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers head coach Dennis Gates reacts during the second half against the Kansas Jayhawks at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Basketball

Gates pointed to a key hurdle his Tigers faced Monday while also claiming (falsely) that the Illini hadn't had to fight through similar adversity

Dec 6, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Andrej Stojakovic (2) goes up to dunk the ball but goes off the back of the rim against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini are back in the good graces of their biggest fan, KenPom, thanks to a huge win over the Tigers

Dec 7, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers forward Mark Mitchell (25) celebrates during the first half against the Kansas Jayhawks at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini have had trouble holding opposing stars at bay – but not the Tigers' Mark Mitchell. Here's why it's so encouraging moving forward.

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

The Illini are known for their fondness of international players with pro experience, so what does Brad Underwood think of former G League players?

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 Illini have the third-best offense in the country, per KenPom, but Underwood still sees it as two or three steps away from maximizing its capabilities

Basketball

The Illini made an unexpected move when they added Toni Bilic midseason. What can they expect to get out of the 6-foot-8 forward?

Jackson Langendorf

Joined: Oct 21, 2024

By the Numbers: Where Illinois Ranks in Key Metrics Entering Big Ten Play

The Shift Fueling Illinois’ Rise – And Why It Matters Long Term

What We've Learned About Illinois Through the End of Non-Conference Play

Why Tennessee Coach Josh Heupel Has 'Great Respect' for Illinois' Luke Altmyer

Basketball

Two Former Illinois Fan Favorites Catch Fire in NBA G League

Basketball

Illinois' Keaton Wagler Soars Up Latest NBA Mock Draft, Other Illini Projected

Basketball

Illinois Chasing Unexpected Target: Who is Emerging 2026 Wing Boyuan Zhang?

Football

ESPN's FPI Reveals Favorite for Illinois vs. Tennessee in Music City Bowl

Basketball

How High Did Illinois Basketball Climb in ESPN's Latest Top 25 Rankings?

Basketball

Is Illinois Basketball a Legitimate Big Ten Title Contender?

Basketball

What Missouri Coach Dennis Gates Got Wrong About Illinois' Blowout Performance

Basketball

What Illinois’ Return to the KenPom Top 10 Says After Missouri Rout

Illinois' Shutdown of Missouri's Mark Mitchell Signals Bigger Things Ahead

Would Illinois and Brad Underwood Add Former G League Players?

Brad Underwood Says Illinois Isn't Close to Reaching Offensive Potential – Here's Why

What Is Illinois Getting in Toni Bilic? Brad Underwood Discusses Illini Signee