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Mar 8, 2026; College Park, Maryland, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) reacts after shooting a three point basket during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

The Illini still have room for growth. Here is one thing each rotation player can improve on for the NCAA Tournament.

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The Illini still have room for growth. Here is one thing each rotation player can improve on for the NCAA Tournament.

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Illinois Fighting Illini coach Brad Underwood during the Big Ten Tournament at the United Center.

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Former Iowa coach Fran McCaffery led Penn to the NCAA Tournament, where he'll match up against a familiar opponent

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

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Bilas, one of college hoops' foremost pundits, envisions the Illini making a deep March run – until they meet an all-too-familiar opponent

Nov 11, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts during the second half against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

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The third-seeded Illini are heavily favored to take down the 14th-seeded Quakers, but how confident are the advanced numbers in Illinois?

Feb 20, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Shauna Green during the second quarter against the UCLA Bruins at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

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Illinois women's basketball avoided the 8-9 trap and has a legitimate path to the Sweet 16. We project how far the Illini can go in March Madness.

Feb 4, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts during the second half against the Northwestern Wildcats at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

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Underwood shared what he believes the Illini will need to do to survive and advance in the Big Dance

Mar 13, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Zvonimir Ivisic (44) celebrates after scoring against the Wisconsin Badgers during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

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The Illini are the No. 3 seed in the South Region at the NCAA Tournament. Here is our game-by-game prediction for the region.

Feb 8, 2022; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers head coach Matt Painter and Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood talk after the game at Mackey Arena. Boilermakers won 84-68. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

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The Illini were slotted as a No. 3 seed, while the Boilermakers earned a No. 2. Was Illinois snubbed?

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

Dec 20, 2025; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Penn Quakers head coach Fran McCaffery reacts during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Jersey Mike's Arena. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

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The Illini are going dancing for the sixth straight year, kicking off their tournament against Penn against a familiar foe in Fran McCaffrey

Feb 1, 2026; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood walks onto the court before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

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The Illini heard their names called in the NCAA Tournament bracket reveal on Sunday. Here are three initial thoughts.

Illinois head coach Brad Underwood is shown 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.

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The Illini fell to a three seed on Selection Sunday, but they still have a favorable path – and social media had opinions

Mar 13, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) reacts at the end of the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

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There appear to be two undecided No. 2 seeds in the NCAA Tournament, with three teams in the battle. Which squad will be left out?

Mar 13, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts during overtime at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

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The Illini have come up just short a shocking number of times this season. It all adds up to a big difference come Selection Sunday.

Mar 13, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

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The Illini again fell in overtime to the Badgers – and this time when it really counted. Here are five stats that tell the tale.

Mar 13, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Jake Davis (15) shoot over Wisconsin Badgers forward Austin Rapp (22) during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

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The Illini unraveled in another close game, and as you can imagine, social media had plenty to say about it

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.

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

Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) drives against Maryland at the Xfinity Center.

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Plans for a high-level college basketball event in Croatia and Serbia are in the works, and Illinois would be a top candidate to participate

Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood against the Maryland Terrapins at the Xfinity Center.

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The Illini begin postseason play Friday in Chicago against a Wisconsin team that is coming off a close win over Washington

Mar 8, 2026; College Park, Maryland, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) dribbles up the court during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

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The Illini can't afford to lose to the Badgers on Friday at Chicago's United Center. Here's why.

Wisconsin guard John Blackwell (25), left, celebrates a play against Michigan with guard Nick Boyd (2) during the second half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026.

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The Illini, who have already been on the receiving end of a dominant scoring performance from the Badgers' backcourt, must find a solution for Friday

Mar 12, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Will Garlock (23) celebrates with teammates after scoring against the Washington Huskies during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

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The Illini will open postseason play in Chicago against a red-hot Badgers squad that has shown it can beat anyone, anywhere

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.

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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

Nov 19, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood yells to his team during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

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Underwood needs to strike a difficult balance to ensure the Illini are primed to go on a run in postseason play

Mar 8, 2026; College Park, Maryland, USA; ]Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) looks to pass during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

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The Illini – and even their coach – are dealing with some mild infirmities that we update below