Illini now
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.

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

Illinois vs. Iowa: Five Things to Watch in Big Ten Tournament

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

Steven Greenberg
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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

Big Ten Basketball Power Rankings: Illinois Making a Major March Move

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

Steven Greenberg
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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

Did Illinois Basketball Land in the Latest AP, Coaches' Top 25 Rankings?

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

Steven Greenberg
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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
Basketball

Purdue Star Alleges Racist Comments From Illinois' 'Orange Krush' Fans

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

Steven Greenberg
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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
Basketball

Is Illinois Basketball Peaking? Friday's Purdue Showdown Will Tell Us

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

Steven Greenberg
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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
Basketball

Big Ten Basketball Power Rankings: Illinois Climbs After Pummeling Michigan

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

Steven Greenberg
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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
Basketball

Big Ten Basketball Power Rankings: Illinois' Disappearing Act Almost Over

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

Steven Greenberg
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Feb 22, 2025; New York, NY, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood argues with an official in the first half against the Duke Blue Devils at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Basketball

For Illinois Basketball, Time to Toughen Up and Drop the BS

With three regular-season games to go, the Illini are in a state of crisis — and need to act like it

Steven Greenberg
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Feb 15, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kasparas Jakucionis (32) drives to the basket against Michigan State Spartans forward Jaxon Kohler (0) and Szymon Zapala (10) during the first half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
Basketball

Big Ten Basketball Power Rankings: Illinois Getting No Respect – Nor Should It

The Illini's lame disappearing act against Michigan State hardly helps their cause

Steven Greenberg
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Feb 8, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Will Riley (7) celebrates his 3-point basket against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the second half at Williams Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
Basketball

Big Ten Basketball Power Rankings: Illinois Stuck, Even With Will Riley Rolling

The Illini begin a monster stretch Tuesday in Champaign against soaring UCLA

Steven Greenberg
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Feb 2, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kasparas Jakucionis (32) drives the ball during the first half against the Ohio State Buckeyes at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
Basketball

Big Ten Basketball Power Rankings: Illinois Still Not Back in the Passing Lane

While Purdue and Michigan State battle for the top spot, the Illini remain mired in a not-so-hot stretch

Steven Greenberg
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Feb 2, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Tomislav Ivisic (13) gets a hand from teammate Kasparas Jakucionis (32) during the second half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
Basketball

Should Illinois Even Be Ranked? Struggling Illini at No. 23 in New AP Top 25

The Illini – who lost to lowly Nebraska last week – are the only seven-loss team in the current rankings

Steven Greenberg
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