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 Fighting Illini guard Andrej Stojakovic (2) scores near VCU Rams forward Michael Belle (8) March 21, 2026 during the first half of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament second round East Region game at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina.

Basketball

Illinois Fighting Illini center Zvonimir Ivisic (44) defends the shot of VCU Rams guard Tyrell Ward (15) Saturday, March 21, 2026, during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament second round game at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina.

Basketball

Mar 19, 2026; Greenville, SC, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kylan Boswell (4) dribbles the ball against the Penn Quakers in the first half of a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Basketball

Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) is defended by Penn Quakers guard AJ Levine (0) Thursday, March 19, 2026, during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament first round game at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina.

Basketball

If the Illini (25-8) have learned all their hard lessons, the Rams (27-7) – as dangerous as they are – will be a footnote in their 2026 NCAA Tournament run

Mar 19, 2026; Greenville, SC, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) dribbles the ball against the Penn Quakers in the first half of a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Basketball

And a freshman – two, in fact – would lead the Illini in an offensive avalanche that overwhelmed the undermanned Quakers on Thursday

Mar 8, 2026; College Park, Maryland, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) celebrates with center Zvonimir Ivisic (44) during the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

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The Illini have been playing at less than their best lately, but one top metric gives odds of them winning it all that may surprise you

Mar 18, 2026; Greenville, SC, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Tomislav Ivisic (13) shoots the ball during a practice session ahead of the first round of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini (23-7, 14-5 Big Ten) and Terrapins (11-19, 4-15) are headed in different directions, but anything can happen in March

Illinois wing Andrej Stojakovic (2) drives on Wisconsin's John Blackwell (25) in the Illini's 91-88 overtime loss to the Badgers in last week's Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals at the United Center in Chicago.

Basketball

The Illini look like a slam dunk to clip the Quakers and move on to the second round, but they would do well to beware the upset gods of March

News

The Illini (21-11), who made the NCAA Tournament for the second year in a row, are on a promising trajectory

Wisconsin guard Nick Boyd (2) is fouled by Illinois forward David Mirkovic (0) during overtime of their quarterfinal game in the Big Ten tournament Friday, March 13, 2026 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Wisconsin beat Illinois 91-88.

Basketball

The Illini came up short again after building yet another big lead – this time in a tournament-bouncing loss to Wisconsin

Illinois center Tomislav Ivisic and forward Jake Davis come together during the Illini's 92-90 overtime loss to Wisconsin on Feb. 10 at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois.

Basketball

One seed and an extra day's rest may be all that separate the Illini (24-7) from the Badgers (22-9) in the conference tournament quarterfinals

Mar 8, 2026; College Park, Maryland, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Jake Davis (15) shoots during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Basketball

A conference tournament championship is the goal, but for the Illini, one opponent might be better dodged than taken head-on

Mar 8, 2026; College Park, Maryland, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) drives to the basket on Maryland Terrapins center Collin Metcalf (45) during the first half at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Basketball

Even if it felt entirely unnecessary, the Illini gritted out a tough, down-to-the-wire win over the Terrapins in College Park on Sunday

Mar 3, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood works on his game plan before the first half against the Oregon Ducks at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini (23-7, 14-5 Big Ten) and Terrapins (11-19, 4-15) are headed in different directions, but anything can happen in March

Mar 3, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) drives past Oregon Ducks forward Dezdrick Lindsay (4) during the first half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Basketball

Wagler, the breakout Illini freshman, takes his place among college basketball's best on the player of the year award watch list

Jason Langendorf

Joined: Sep 28, 2024

Illinois Basketball Grades: Evaluating the Illini Against VCU

3 Instant Observations From Illinois' NCAA Tournament Win Over VCU

Staff Picks: Who Wins Illinois vs VCU in the NCAA Tournament Round of 32?

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How to Watch Illinois vs VCU in the NCAA Tournament

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3 Observations From Illinois' 105-70 Blowout of Penn in the NCAA Tournament

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KenPom Reveals Illinois’ NCAA Title Chances – Better Than You Think?

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Staff Picks: Who Wins No. 3 Seed Illinois vs No. 14 Seed Penn?

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How to Watch Illinois vs. Penn in the NCAA Tournament

News

3 First Impressions of Illinois Women's Basketball's NCAA Tournament Draw

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3 Observations From Illinois' 91-88 Loss to Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tournament

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How to Watch Illinois vs. Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tournament

The One Team Illinois Should Want to Avoid in the Big Ten Tournament

Three Instant Observations From Illinois Basketball's 78-72 Win Over Maryland

Staff Picks: Who Wins No. 11 Illinois at Maryland?

Illinois' Keaton Wagler Among Wooden Award Top 15 Finalists