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.

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

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

Jul 22, 2025; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Illinois head coach Bret Bielema speaks to the media during the Big Ten NCAA college football media days at Mandalay Bay Resort. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images

Illinois guard Mihailo Petrovic (77) drives by a UT Rio Grande Valley defender in the Illini's win over the Vaqueros last week at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois.

Illinois guard Kylan Boswell (4) finish at the rim against a UConn defender in the Illini's 74-61 loss to the Huskies last week at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Basketball

The Illini sputtered in a loss to UConn last week, the latest indication that they aren't yet ready for prime time

The Illinois football team gathers on the snow mounds inside Gies Memorial Stadium after its 20-13 win over Northwestern on Saturday in its season finale in Champaign, Illinois.

Football

The snow fell, The Hat was held high and the Illini were again on top – at least for a day – as social media sorted out a win over the Wildcats

Nov 30, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Aidan Laughery (21) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

Football

After fumbling things at Wisconsin a week ago, can the Illini hold it down at home against the in-state rival Wildcats

Nov 28, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Tomislav Ivisic (13) grabs a rebound in the first half against the UConn Huskies at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Basketball

It wasn't as egregious as their last trip to Madison Square Garden, but the Illini again lost ugly – and foolishly – Friday against the Huskies in New York

Nov 24, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Zvonimir Ivisic (44) grabs a rebound in front of UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros guard Julien Gomez (13) during the second half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini (6-1) have history with the Huskies (5-1), but both current clubs are trying to build their own legacies in Friday's early-season matchup

Illinois coach Brad Underwood delivers instructions from the sideline against Alabama last week at the United Center in Chicago.

Basketball

The Illini walked away with a win Monday, but Underwood made it clear after the game that a walk-through falls well short of his standard

Illinois guard Mihailo Petrovic (77) looks for an open teammate in the Illini's 87-73 win over UT Rio Grande Valley on Monday at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois.

Basketball

The Illini (6-1) found another gear in Monday's win but are still clunky enough to require further tuning up – but with little time left for it

Nov 22, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Long Island University Sharks forward Mason Porter-Brown (6) pressures Illinois Fighting Illini guard Mihailo Petrovic (77) as he drives to the basket during the first half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini dropped five spots after falling by four points on a neutral floor to then-No. 11 Alabama – but was it deserved?

Nov 22, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois fighting Illini players Andrej Stojakovic (2) Tomislav Ivisic (13) guard Kylan Boswell (4) and Brandon Lee (1) stand while teammate Ben Humrichhous (3) shoots for a technical foul on the Long Island University Sharks during the first half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

The Illini (5-1) got well and (mostly) gave Long Island the business as fans weighed in on social media

Oct 14, 2025; Birmingham, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nate Oats talks with the media during SEC Media Days at Grand Bohemian Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images

Even after his Crimson Tide beat the Illini on Wednesday, Oats said he considers Illinois a national championship contender

Illinois guard Kylan Boswell lifts teammate Tomislav Ivisic (13) during the Illini's 90-86 loss to Alabama on Wednesday at the United Center in Chicao.

A health update on Tomislav Ivisic, Mihailo Petrovic and other banged-up Illini ahead of Saturday's tip-off against Long Island

Oct 3, 2024; Rosemont, IL, USA; Illinois head coach Brad Underwood takes a question at the podium during the 2024 Big Ten Menís Basketball media day at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Melissa Tamez-Imagn Images

Morillo, a long-bodied, do-it-all guard from Mount Vernon, New York, made his commitment to the Illini official on Thursday