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.

Nov 1, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Gabe Jacas (17) celebrates his sack on Rutgers Scarlet Knights quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (16) during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini's twin towers announced their return for 2026-27 on Wednesday, securing the club's size, frontcourt depth and experienced core

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

The player who may be most integral to a follow-up Final Four run announced Wednesday that he will be back with the Illini next season

Illinois forward David Mirkovic (0) and center Zvonimir Ivisic (44) react during the Illini's Final Four 71-62 loss to UConn on Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Basketball

The Illini are (very likely) going to need a new starting point guard in the 2026-27 season. Is Mihailo Petrovic the guy?

Apr 4, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Tomislav Ivisic (13) reacts after losing to the Connecticut Huskies during a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini saw an excellent season (28-9) end just a bit earlier than hoped when the Huskies showed up with more firepower in their Final Four showdown

Nov 28, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) is guarded by UConn Huskies forward Alex Karaban (11) in the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Basketball

Can the Illini (28-8) follow the lead of the 2004-05 Illinois squad by taming the Huskies (33-5) and advancing to Monday's national title game?

Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) reacts in the first 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

Now is no time for the Illini (27-8) to let up – not with Iowa (24-12) working magic and awaiting them in Saturday's Elite Eight matchup

Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood 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

"We're both drastically different," Underwood said of the Illini and Huskies since last they met – and he won't read much into that Illinois loss

Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Ben Humrichous (3) reacts in the first 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

The Illini rode out a rough first half before bullying their way past the Hawkeyes on Saturday – and into their first Final Four since 2005

Jan 11, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes forward Cam Manyawu (3) and Illinois Fighting Illini center Tomislav Ivisic (13) battle for the opening tipoff during the first half at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

Basketball

The three-seeded Illini (27-8) meet the ninth-seeded Hawkeyes (30-6) on Saturday with a chance to go to their first Final Four since 2005

Mar 26, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Jake Davis (15) reacts in the second half during a Sweet Sixteen game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Basketball

Now is no time for the Illini (27-8) to let up – not with Iowa (24-12) working magic and awaiting them in Saturday's Elite Eight matchup

Mar 26, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Cougars center Chris Cenac Jr. (5) grabs a rebound against Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) in the first half during a Sweet Sixteen game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Basketball

Wagler, the Illini's slightly built freshman point guard, surprised by hauling in 12 valuable rebounds to finish off the Cougars on Thursday

Mar 26, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) dribbles the ball against the Houston Cougars in the first half during a Sweet Sixteen game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini broke through with their grittiest, greatest performance of the season in a Sweet 16 triumph over the Cougars on Thursday

Jason Langendorf

Joined: Sep 28, 2024

Illinois' Gabe Jacas: One of the Smartest Picks in the 2026 NFL Draft?

Three-Star Forward Zavier Zens Signs With Illinois – How He Fits With the Illini

Andrej Stojakovic Announces Return to Illinois – What It Means for 2026-27

End of an Era: Illinois Fixture Ty Rodgers Moving on Via Transfer Portal

Basketball

Tomislav and Zvonimir Ivisic Are Set to Run It Back at Illinois – What It Means

Basketball

David Mirkovic Returning to Illinois in 2026-27 – What It Means

Basketball

Which Illinois Basketball Players We Expect to Return in 2026-27

Basketball

3 Instant Observations From Illinois' NCAA Tournament Loss to UConn

Basketball

Staff Picks: Who Wins Illinois vs UConn in the NCAA Tournament Final Four?

Basketball

How to Watch Illinois vs UConn in the NCAA Tournament Final Four

Basketball

Brad Underwood on Why Illinois Isn't the Same Team That Lost to UConn in November

Basketball

3 Instant Observations From Illinois' NCAA Tournament Win Over Iowa

Staff Picks: Who Wins Illinois vs Iowa in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight?

How to Watch Illinois vs Iowa in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight

How Keaton Wagler Transformed Into Illinois' Leading Rebounder Against Houston

3 Instant Observations From Illinois' NCAA Tournament Win Over Houston