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.

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

Football

The Illini staved off the visiting Wildcats on a wild, snowy night in Champaign to close out their 2025 regular season

Nov 22, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) drives to the basket against the Washington Wizards during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Basketball

How are former Illinois players faring during the start of the 2025-26 NBA season? Here's an update.

Illinois center Tomislav Ivisic (13) receives encouragement from twin brother and Illini forward Zvonimir Ivisic (44) during Illinois' 74-61 loss to UConn on Friday at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Basketball

The Illini need their starting center Ivisic – and that was evident Friday against UConn. The way to get him going is fairly simple.

Nov 23, 2025; Hartford, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies head coach Dan Hurley watches from the sideline as they take on the Bryant Bulldogs at Peoples Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini guard Petrovic, despite struggling immensely on paper against the Huskies, impressed Hurley at Madison Square Garden on Friday

Nov 28, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood talks with an official in the first half against the UConn Huskies at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini likely were too deep in a hole to climb out, but down seven, they had a shot against the Huskies with two-plus minutes to go – until they didn't

Nov 22, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts during the second half against the Long Island University Sharks at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini defense, which has performed at a season low over the past two games, is about to get eaten alive by the Huskies

Nov 24, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Andrej Stojakovic (2) drives the ball against UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros forward Kye Dickson (7) during the first half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini wing has grabbed the attention of Huskies coach Hurley before the Illinois-UConn clash on Friday

Nov 3, 2025; Storrs, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies head coach Dan Hurley watches from the sideline as they take on the New Haven Chargers at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

Basketball

Hurley, the Huskies' head man, had nothing but positive things to say about the Illinois ahead of its Black Friday showdown with UConn

Nov 24, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Mihailo Petrovic (77) yells instructions to teammates during the second half against the UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Basketball

Petrovic breaks down the origin of his ball-screen abilities and why he can thrive in college basketball's style of play

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 Huskies are ranked higher than the Illini in the AP poll (No. 5, compared to No. 13), yet the metrics prefer Illinois by a slight margin

Basketball

The Illini (5-1) and Huskies (5-1) are expected to battle wire-to-wire in a nail-biter at Madison Square Garden. But which is the favorite?

Nov 19, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Andrej Stojakovic (2) drives to the basket against Alabama Crimson Tide forward Amari Allen (5) during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini may lose two more players to the 2026 NBA Draft, a year after they sent a pair into last summer's draft

Jackson Langendorf

Joined: Oct 21, 2024

ESPN's Matchup Predictor Reveals Favorite for Illinois vs. Tennessee

Illinois Flips 2026 Running Back Javari Barnett From Alabama: Why it Speaks Volumes

Illinois Basketball Ranked in Baffling Spot in Initial NET Rankings

How Illinois Basketball Must Attack Tennessee’s Dominant Defense

Football

Three Instant Observations From Illinois' Rivalry Win Over Northwestern

Basketball

Former Illini in NBA: Latest on Kasparas Jakucionis, Terrence Shannon Jr., Others

Basketball

Illinois' Kylan Boswell Pinpoints Key for Tomislav Ivisic Moving Forward

Basketball

Illinois' Mihailo Petrovic Earns Unexpected Praise From UConn's Dan Hurley

Basketball

Refereeing Blunder Costs Illinois Late Against UConn: Was the Call Justified?

Basketball

Why Illinois' Defensive Issues Will Be Exposed by Dan Hurley and UConn

Basketball

Illinois' Andrej Stojakovic Catches the Eye of UConn's Dan Hurley: 'He's Got a Bag'

Basketball

UConn's Dan Hurley Raves About Illinois, Putting the Illini in Rare Air

Illinois' Mihailo Petrovic Breaks Down Pick-and-Roll Skill – And Why It Fits CBB

KenPom and Bart Torvik Are Higher on One Team Ahead of Illinois vs. UConn

ESPN's Analytics Identify Slight Favorite for Illinois-UConn Marquee Clash

Two Illinois Stars Projected in ESPN's Latest 2026 NBA Mock Draft