Steven Greenberg

Steven Greenberg

Joined: Sep 28, 2024

Greenberg is a columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times, has written about college sports since the early 1990s. He covered University of Wisconsin football and basketball in the early 1990s before spending nearly 20 years as a magazine editor and writer. A former managing editor, features writer and college football columnist for The Sporting News, he has written for The New York Times, Rolling Stone and Bleacher Report and joined the Sun-Times in 2013.

Nov 11, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Isaiah Williams (1) outruns Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Jamari Sharpe (22) to score a touchdown in overtime to defeat the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Sep 13, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) runs into the end zone during the second half against the Western Michigan Broncos at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Sep 6, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Gabe Jacas (17) swats the ball from Duke Blue Devils quarterback Darian Mensah (10) during the second quarter at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images

Aug 29, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Gabe Jacas (17) jumps on teammate Illinois Fighting Illini defensive lineman Eli Coenen (96) after a sack on Western Illinois Leathernecks quarterback Chris Irvin (5) during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Aug 29, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) runs the ball against the Western Illinois Leathernecks during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Football

The Illini swamped Western Illinois 52-3 in the opener, which means precisely nothing

Illinois guard Kylan Boswell (4) hits a three-point basket over Kentucky guard Collin Chandler (5) during the second half of their second round NCAA men’ s basketball tournament game Sunday, March 23, 2025 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Kentucky beat Illinois 84-75.

Basketball

Are the Illini really going to be a middle-of-the-pack Big Ten team next season?

Mar 21, 2025; Milwaukee, WI, USA: Illinois Fighting Illini center Tomislav Ivisic (13) drives to the hoop past Xavier Musketeers guard Dayvion McKnight (20) during the first half at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

Basketball

If the Illini can keep the 7-1 center in the fold, he could be the biggest piece of next season's Illinois basketball puzzle

Mar 13, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Fran McCaffery gestures towards a referee during the second half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. McCaffery would receive his second technical foul and be ejected. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

Basketball

Iowa booted McCaffery after a 106-94 loss to the Illini in the Big Ten Tournament, while Ben Johnson is out at Minnesota

Mar 8, 2025; College Park, Maryland, USA; Maryland Terrapins center Derik Queen (25) dunks the ball during the second half against the Northwestern Wildcats at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images

Basketball

Tomislav Ivisic didn't play last time the teams met, and Will Riley didn't score. Both will change in the rematch. But will Kasparas Jakucionis show up, too?

Feb 25, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Will Riley (7) drives the ball against Iowa Hawkeyes guard Carter Kingsbury (14) during the first half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini should handle the Hawkeyes in the Big Ten tournament – but will they?

Mar 7, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Purdue Boilermakers guard Braden Smith (3) and Illinois Fighting Illini center Tomislav Ivisic (13) battle for position during the first half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Basketball

Forget the seeds in Indianapolis – the Illini are much better than No. 7

Feb 25, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; The Orange Krush cheer on the Illinois Fighting Illini during the first half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Basketball

The surging Illini have won three in a row, including ranked foes Michigan and Purdue, with the Big Ten tournament up next

Mar 7, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kylan Boswell (4) drives the ball as Purdue Boilermakers forward Trey Kaufman-Renn (4) reaches in during the second half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Trey Kaufman-Renn said students directed racist comments at his 13-year-old brother during the Illini's 88-80 win on Friday

Feb 15, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Will Riley (7) looks to pass as he is surrounded by Michigan State Spartans during the first half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Also, we tell you which five Illini players belong on the floor – period

Mar 2, 2025; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kylan Boswell (4) drives to the basket past Michigan Wolverines center Vladislav Goldin (50) in the second half at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

Whatever the Illini did in a 62-point second half in Ann Arbor, just keep doing it

Feb 22, 2025; New York, NY, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kylan Boswell (4) reacts after getting called for a foul in the first half against the Duke Blue Devils at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Are the Illini toast? Meanwhile, Michigan State, Wisconsin and others battle for the top spot