Pranav Hegde

Pranav Hegde

Joined: Apr 10, 2025

Primarily covers Illinois football, basketball and golf, with an emphasis on news, analysis and features. Hegde, an electrical engineering student at Illinois with an affinity for sports writing, has been writing for On SI since April 2025. He can be followed and reached on Instagram @pranavhegde__.

Feb 8, 2026; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Southern California Trojans guard Alijah Arenas (0) moves with the ball as Penn State Nittany Lions guard Freddie Dilione V (5) defends during the first half at Bryce Jordan Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

Illinois guard Destiny Jackson (2) blows past a Michigan defender in the Illini's 85-69 loss to the Wolverines on Thursday at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Feb 15, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Tomislav Ivisic (13) pulls down a rebound from Indiana Hoosiers forward Reed Bailey (1) during the second half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Feb 15, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward Tucker DeVries (12) drives the ball against Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) during the second half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Feb 15, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Jake Davis (15) drives past Indiana Hoosiers guard Lamar Wilkerson (3) during the first half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini picked up a big home win over the Hoosiers, and as usual social media wasn't shy about making its feelings known

Feb 9, 2026; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward Reed Bailey (1) high-fives Indiana Hoosiers forward Tucker DeVries (12) against the Oregon Ducks during the second half at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini are looking for the antidote to a two-game skid just as the peaking Hoosiers are set to arrive in Champaign

Illinois guard Aaliyah Guyton (1) drives on a Wisconsin defender in the Illini's 92-60 win over the Badgers on Wednesday at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois.

News

The Illini bounced back from a two-game losing skid in a big way, blowing out the Badgers in Champaign

Feb 10, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) drives the ball against Wisconsin Badgers guard Braedon Carrington (0) during the first half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini were down two starters when they fell at home to the Badgers on Tuesday, and social media had strong feelings about all of it

Nov 8, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood displays the three consecutive Big 10 championship trophies before a game against the SIU Edwardsville Cougars at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini’s loss in East Lansing hurt, but history says February losses are often part of the championship formula

Illinois guard Destiny Jackson (2) blows past a Michigan defender in the Illini's 85-69 loss to the Wolverines on Thursday at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

News

Aiming for another 20-win season and NCAA Tournament berth, the Illini can take a step toward both by turning back the Badgers on Wednesday

Feb 7, 2026; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; The Wisconsin Badgers bench celebrate against the Indiana Hoosiers during the second half at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini, coming off their first loss in more than a month, will have their hands full against a dangerous Badgers club

Michigan State's Jeremy Fears Jr., right, fouls Illinois' Keaton Wagler during the first half on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.

Basketball

The Illini fell to the Spartans in a down-and-dirty road test, and as usual social media had plenty to say about it

Jan 29, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Zvonimir Ivisic (44) blocks the way of Washington Huskies guard Zoom Diallo (5) and he drives to the basket during the second half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

The Illini are on a tear, and the defense has all the pieces needed to slow down a physical Spartans squad

Jan 27, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Jaxon Kohler (0) reacts with center Carson Cooper (15) after scoring a basket during overtime against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Jersey Mike's Arena. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

The Illini are aiming to win another game in hostile territory, this time against the Spartans in East Lansing, Michigan

Feb 4, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) drives past Northwestern Wildcats guard Justin Mullins (20) during the first half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

The Illini swept the season series against the Wildcats in style, and as usual social media was all over it

Illinois forward Berry Wallace (23) makes a move against Oregon forward Ehis Etute (35) in the Illini's 76-73 loss to the Ducks on Wednesday in Eugene, Oregon.

The Illini fought hard i Eugene, but a slow start and poor outside shooting ultimately doomed them in a missed opportunity