Jason Langendorf

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.

Illinois guard Keaton Wagler (23) dribbles up the floor against Missouri in the Illini's 91-48 win over the Tigers on Monday at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri.

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

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

Mar 23, 2024; Omaha, NE, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood leaves the court after the game against the Duquesne Dukes in the second round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at CHI Health Center Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

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

Martin, a 6-foot-5 junior from Naperville (Neuqua Valley) was offered a scholarship by the Illini over the weekend

Nov 22, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood greets fans before the opening tip off against the Long Island University Sharks at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Basketball

Croatia's Toni Bilic, a 20-year-old forward, will join the Illini at the semester break and be ready to play right away

Dec 13, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers guard Sam Hoiberg (1) drives the ball to the basket during the second half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Basketball

With a chance to cement their status as an upper-crust Big Ten club, the Illini faltered at home against a streaking Nebraska squad

Ohio State Buckeyes center Christoph Tilly (13) fouls Illinois Fighting Illini center Zvonimir Ivisic (44) during the second half of the NCAA men's basketball game in Columbus on Dec. 9, 2025. Ohio State lost 86-78.

Basketball

The No. 13 Illini (8-2, 1-0 Big Ten) are likely in for a battle against the surprising, 23rd-ranked Cornhuskers (10-0, 1-0)

Ohio State Buckeyes forward Brandon Noel (14) fights for a rebound with Illinois Fighting Illini center Tomislav Ivisic (13) an dforward David Mirkovic (0) during the first half of the NCAA men's basketball game in Columbus on Dec. 9, 2025.

Basketball

The Illini had to sweat it out but ultimately locked up their first Big Ten win and road game over the Buckeyes in Columbus on Tuesday

Dec 6, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) celebrates a three-point shot by guard Keaton Wagler (23) against the Tennessee Volunteers during the first half at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini (7-2) will try to overpower the backcourt-oriented Buckeyes (7-1, 1-0 Big Ten) on Tuesday in Columbus – or they will if they know what's good for them

Feb 2, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Tomislav Ivisic (13) drives the ball against Ohio State Buckeyes forward Devin Royal (21) during the second half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Basketball

The No. 13 Illini (7-2) open their Big Ten season against a Buckeyes squad (7-1, 1-0) with loads of scoring firepower and a home-court edge

Dec 6, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) drives to the basket against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Basketball

Even after a big win, the Illini barely budged in the latest AP poll – but the could change dramatically in the coming weeks

Dec 6, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Zvonimir Ivisic (44) and forward David Mirkovic (0) celebrate after a called time out against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

See how Illinois on SI evaluated each Illini's individual performance in a head-turning win over the Volunteers

Dec 6, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Zvonimir Ivisic (44), guard Andrej Stojakovic (2), and forward David Mirkovic (0) blocks the shot of Tennessee Volunteers forward Nate Ament (10) during the first half at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

The Illini (7-2) finally put all – or at least most of – the pieces together in a gritty victory over the Volunteers in Nashville

Dec 14, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Ben Humrichous (3) dunks the ball during the second half against the Tennessee Volunteers at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

The No. 14 Illini (6-2) head south to Nashville to take on the No. 13 Volunteers (7-2) in a neutral-site battle that each team needs in its own way

Nov 28, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) collides with UConn Huskies guard Malachi Smith (0) in the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

The Illini (6-2) take on a physical, disciplined Volunteers squad (7-2) in Nashville on Saturday