Jason Langendorf

Joined: Sep 28, 2024

Jason Langendorf has covered Illinois basketball, football and more for Illinois on SI since October 2024, and has covered Illini sports – among other subjects – for 30 years. A veteran of ESPN and Sporting News, he has published work in The Guardian, Vice, Chicago Sun-Times and many other outlets. He is currently also the U.S. editor at BoxingScene and a judge for the annual BWAA writing awards. He can be followed and reached on X and Bluesky @JasonLangendorf.

Feb 15, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Jaxon Kohler (0) and Illinois Fighting Illini center Tomislav Ivisic (13) battle for position during the first half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini (19-3, 10-1 Big Ten) are rolling but need to avoid a letdown against in-state rival Northwestern (10-12, 2-9) on Wednesday in Champaign

Jan 29, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts during the second half against the Washington Huskies at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini are shooting their shot with Nasir Anderson, widely considered the top point guard in the class of 2027

Illinois forward Andrej Stojakovic (2) looks for his shot against Northwestern in the Illini's 79-68 win over the Wildcats on Jan. 14 at Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston, Illinois.

Basketball

The Illini (19-3, 10-1 Big Ten) will be hunting for consecutive win No. 12 when Northwestern (10-12, 2-9) hobbles into Champaign on Wednesday

Illinois forward David Mirkovic (0) finishes at the rim around Nebraska's Pryce Sandfort (21) and Rienk Mast (51) in the Illini's 78-69 win Sunday at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Basketball

Every Illini participant brought something to the table in Sunday's win over the Cornhuskers, but some graded out better than others

Feb 1, 2026; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Jake Davis (15) shoots a three point shot against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the second half at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini rode a second-half surge in Lincoln to pull away from the Cornhuskers – and cement their status as a Big Ten powerhouse – on Sunday

Jan 29, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini players walk up the court during the second half against the Washington Huskies at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Basketball

Can the Illini (18-3, 9-1 Big Ten) pull off another monster road win against a top-five foe Sunday against the Cornhuskers (20-1, 9-1)?

Dec 13, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Andrej Stojakovic (2) drives the ball around Nebraska Cornhuskers forward Pryce Sandfort (21) during the first half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini (18-3, 9-1 Big Ten) have revamped their defense since they last saw the Cornhuskers (20-1, 9-1), but Nebraska has yet to lose at home this season

Jan 29, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) drives to the basket as Washington Huskies center Franck Kepnang (11) defends during the first half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini scuffled through one of their least impressive outings of the season – and still turned away a scrappy Huskies team

Illinois guard Destiny Jackson (2) goes hard to the rim against UCLA in the Illini's 80-67 loss to the Bruins on Wednesday at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois.

Basketball

The Illini came up a little short (and a touch slow) – until they didn't. A loss, in this case, may be a chance to level up over the long haul.

Jan 24, 2026; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers guard Giacarri Harris (24) dribbles around Illinois Fighting Illini guard Andrej Stojakovic (2) during the first half at Mackey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images

Basketball

Down goes Nebraska and Purdue (again)! Are the Illini ready to step into the void at the top spot in our Illinois on SI Big Ten rankings?

Aug 29, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Xavier Scott (14) runs onto the field before the start of an NCAA game against the Western Illinois Leathernecks at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Football

The Illini are expected to ride the ups and downs of a transition year in 2026, but are they quietly poised for their best season yet under Bret Bielema?

Illinois forward Jake Davis (15) gets hyped after knocking down a three-pointer in the Illini's 88-82 win over Purdue on Saturday at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Indiana.

Basketball

The Illini (17-3, 8-1 Big Ten) get a crack at consecutive win No. 10 on Thursday, but they would do well not to underestimate the Huskies (11-9, 3-6)

Jason Langendorf

Joined: Sep 28, 2024

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