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.

Mar 8, 2026; College Park, Maryland, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood walks down the court during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Basketball

Dec 13, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood before the first half against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Basketball

Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) looks on in the second half against the Illinois Fighting Illini 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

Basketball

Apr 4, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts after a play against the UConn Huskies during the first half of a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Basketball

We offer a superlative for each of the Illini's six incoming freshmen for 2026-27 – including recent commit Williams

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

Basketball

The Illini made a late addition to their 2026-27 roster in Lincoln Williams, a long and bouncy guard from Kankakee

July 19, 2025; North Augusta, South Carolina, USA; Brad Beal Elite Quentin Coleman (1) gestures to a teammate as Team Durant Evans Barning Jr. (7) defends during the Brad Beal Elite and Team Durant game at the Nike EYBL Peach Jam at Riverview Park Activity Center. Brad Beal Elite won 91-59. Mandatory Credit: Katie Goodale - Augusta Chronicle/USA TODAY NETWORK

Basketball

Quentin Coleman didn't have a fantastic showing in the most prominent categories through Team USA's pool play – but he did elsewhere

Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Jake Davis (15) 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: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Basketball

Davis was an unlikely starter for the Illini's Final Four squad last season, but is there a path for him to stay in the lineup in 2026-27?

Basketball

Does Illinois' successful offseason equate to top-squad status in the Big Ten – or is Michigan still the team to beat?

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

The Illini were initially ranked far too low in the preseason projection, but now they're back where they belong

Mar 23, 2025; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts during the second half in the second round of the NCAA Tournament against the Kentucky Wildcats at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

Basketball

Quentin Coleman comes to Champaign as part of a large freshman class, but can he stand apart and prove himself to be an NBA caliber talent after a single season?

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

After the NBA Draft withdrawal deadline, here is where top pundits – including those of us at Illinois on SI – rank the Illini nationally

Jan 2, 2026; Mesa, AZ, USA; Arizona Compass Prep forward DeMarcus Henry (15) against Spire Institute (OH) during the HoopHall West Tournament at Skyline High School. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini recently joined the race for Henry, who is the latest top recruit being targeted by Brad Underwood and his staff

Basketball

The Illini recently extended an offer to 2027 prospect Cayden Daughtry, who breaks the mold of the prototype Brad Underwood guard

Mar 21, 2026; Greenville, SC, USA; VCU Rams guard Brandon Jennings (0) defends against Illinois Fighting Illini guard Andrej Stojakovic (2) during the second half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Basketball

Stojakovic has loads of talent, but can he sharpen the one tool that has eluded him until now to make the final leap next season?

Apr 4, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Andrej Stojakovic (2) warms up before a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament against the UConn Huskies at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Basketball

Stojakovic, who committed to a return to Illinois next season, is all but guaranteed to start – but who will join him in the lineup?

Jackson Langendorf

Joined: Oct 21, 2024

Illinois Basketball Offers Five-Star 2028 Center Dylan Betts

Illinois Basketball Offers Explosive 2027 Four-Star Forward Isaiah Santos

Who Will Lead Illinois in 2026-27? Predicting the Illini's Top Statistical Performers

Top Five Players Illinois Basketball Will Face in 2026-27

Basketball

Illinois Basketball Class of 2026 Superlatives: Is Lincoln Williams the Best Athlete?

Basketball

Illinois Basketball Lands Top 2026 In-State Recruit Lincoln Williams: What to Know

Basketball

Why Illinois Signee Quentin Coleman's Team USA Performance Is So Encouraging

Basketball

Does Jake Davis Have a Chance to Start For Illinois in 2026-27?

Basketball

Still-Too-Early Big Ten Basketball 2026-27 Power Rankings: Is Illinois No. 1?

Basketball

Illinois Climbs to Rightful Spot in Updated Bart Torvik 2026-27 Preseason Rankings

Basketball

Does Illinois Basketball Have Another One-and-Done Prospect in Quentin Coleman?

Basketball

Where College Basketball Experts Rank Illinois Heading Into 2026-27

Illinois Basketball Offers 2027 Consensus Five-Star Wing DeMarcus Henry

Illinois Basketball Targets Dynamic Five-Star Guard Cayden Daughtry

Can Illinois' Andrej Stojakovic Become an All-American in 2026-27?

Illinois Basketball's Projected 2026-27 Starting Lineup With Andrej Stojakovic