Basketball

The Illini are in the mix for yet another top frontcourt player, but can they feasibly sign more than one of them?

Basketball

The Illini are in the mix for yet another top frontcourt player, but can they feasibly sign more than one of them?

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Mar 26, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts in the second half during a Sweet Sixteen game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Basketball

We make a deep dive into the Illini's ranking and expected strengths in EvanMiya's preseason projections

Nov 24, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood has words with an official during the second half against the UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini have far more numerous strengths than weaknesses, but not every position is loaded with known quantities

Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts in the first half against the Iowa Hawkeyes during an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini's Big Ten slate packs a potent punch in the middle but should be manageable on the front and back end

Basketball

The analytical tool EvanMiya rates three Illinois players in its projected top 20 entering 2026-27, including a couple of surprises

Apr 4, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts against the Connecticut Huskies in the second half during a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini have had some highly rated classes, but their 2026 group may have the best mixture of depth and talent of any Brad Underwood class

Sunnyslope Vikings forward Darius Wabbington (21) celebrates their 61-57 win over the Millennium Tigers at Sunnyslope High School on Jan. 21, 2026.

Basketball

What does Wabbington moving his visit date to this weekend mean, and why is he such a key target for the Illini?

Jan 8, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood greets the crowd before he first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Basketball

Breaking down AJ Williams' fit with Illinois if he were to land in Champaign in 2027-28

Feb 15, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts during the second half against the Indiana Hoosiers at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini are currently seen as college basketball's top team, but we're here to tell you why they should be

Mar 25, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood speaks during a practice session press conference ahead of the south regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini made a relatively unexpected move in signing McCoy, but Underwood gave some simple reasons why they pulled the trigger

Basketball

Bowman, a priority target for the Illini who was set to visit Champaign this weekend, is off the board – but Illinois still has future guard options

Nov 28, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Basketball

Brad Underwood commented on David Mirkovic's recovery, a recent hurdle for Tomislav Ivisic and an injury for Zvonimir Ivisic

Apr 4, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts after a play against the UConn Huskies during the first half of a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Basketball

Brad Underwood and his staff have a laundry list of five-star visits on the docket, but who among them is the best fit for Illinois?

Jan 24, 2026; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood looks at a referee during the first half of a game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Mackey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini are navigating uncharted waters heading into 2026-27, and they're hoping to improve on one particular weakness

Mar 8, 2026; College Park, Maryland, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood walks down the court during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Basketball

Underwood offered his thoughts on each Illini returner, including an unexpected name projected to be an impact player

Jan 17, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood before the first half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Basketball

Underwood offered his thoughts on the "challenge" of operating in today's era – but also shared why he's "excited"

Mar 23, 2025; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts during the second half in the second round of the NCAA Tournament against the Kentucky Wildcats at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

Basketball

Underwood believes his Illini have what it takes to make another run to college basketball's final weekend in 2026-27

Jan 2, 2026; Mesa, AZ, USA; Spire Institute (OH) guard King Gibson (2) against Arizona Compass Prep during the HoopHall West Tournament at Skyline High School. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Basketball

King Gibson, a dynamic combo guard in the class of 2027, cut his list to ten schools, and he included the Illini

Basketball

Will McCoy, a Chicago native who played at Arizona State the past two seasons, make an impact as a late addition for the Illini?

Nov 14, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood greets the crowd before the tip of the game with the Colgate Raiders at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein hosted Brad Underwood for an interview, and the Illini coach revealed key first-year standouts from the summer

Nov 22, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts during the second half against the Long Island University Sharks at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Basketball

Many believe the Illini are a top-five team headed into next season, but one anonymous coach had a clear reason why he didn't pick them No. 1

Basketball

Kitt, a 2027 Illini commit, has yet to officially visit campus, but that's now set to change in late October

Wisconsin Lutheran's Zavier Zens (23) breaks around Madison Memorial's Cole Slack (5) during the WIAA Division 1 boys state championship basketball game on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.

Basketball

Even if Zens' freshman role with the Illini may be narrower than the one he was accustomed to in high school, he could deliver right away

Feb 27, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood greets the crowd before the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Basketball

Kamissoko is the latest five-star prospect to schedule a visit with the Illini, who may be ascending to a new level of regard

Basketball

The Illini have firmed up the maximum 12 non-conference games for next season, including several marque matchups