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Dec 21, 2025; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; University of Michigan head coach Dusty May looks on from the sidelines during the first half against the La Salle Explorers at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bradshaw Sevald-Imagn Images

Has May's exit at Michigan catapulted the Illini into their own tier in the Big Ten race heading into 2026-27?

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Has May's exit at Michigan catapulted the Illini into their own tier in the Big Ten race heading into 2026-27?

Recent Articles

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

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The 2026 NBA Draft takes place Tuesday and Wednesday, when at least one Illini is expected to be plucked off the board

Feb 14, 2026; Providence, Rhode Island, USA; Providence College Friars guard Stefan Vaaks (7) dribbles during the first half of the game against the St. John’s University Red Storm at Amica Mutual Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Natalie Reid-Imagn Images

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Signs point towards Stefan Vaaks emerging as a star in 2026-27, but history also tells a more discouraging story

Apr 4, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Tomislav Ivisic (13) reacts after losing to the Connecticut Huskies during a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

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The Illini big man took a slight step back last season, but here's how he can take a big one forward in 2026-27

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

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The Illini are one of the early contenders for Betts – a huge, fluid big man who should make an instant impact wherever he lands

Dec 13, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood before the first half against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

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Santos isn’t the typical Illini target, but Brad Underwood must have liked what he saw from the athletic, high-motor wing

Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) looks on in the second half against the Illinois Fighting Illini 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

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Projecting who will lead the Illini in points, rebounds, assists and more in the 2026-27 campaign

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The Illini will matchup against high-level players in non-conference and Big Ten action. Who are the top five players?

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

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We offer a superlative for each of the Illini's six incoming freshmen for 2026-27 – including recent commit Williams

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

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The Illini made a late addition to their 2026-27 roster in Lincoln Williams, a long and bouncy guard from Kankakee

July 19, 2025; North Augusta, South Carolina, USA; Brad Beal Elite Quentin Coleman (1) gestures to a teammate as Team Durant Evans Barning Jr. (7) defends during the Brad Beal Elite and Team Durant game at the Nike EYBL Peach Jam at Riverview Park Activity Center. Brad Beal Elite won 91-59. Mandatory Credit: Katie Goodale - Augusta Chronicle/USA TODAY NETWORK

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Quentin Coleman didn't have a fantastic showing in the most prominent categories through Team USA's pool play – but he did elsewhere

Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Jake Davis (15) reacts in the second 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

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Davis was an unlikely starter for the Illini's Final Four squad last season, but is there a path for him to stay in the lineup in 2026-27?

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Does Illinois' successful offseason equate to top-squad status in the Big Ten – or is Michigan still the team to beat?

Dec 13, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Tomislav Ivisic (13) reacts after scoring during the second half against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

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The Illini were initially ranked far too low in the preseason projection, but now they're back where they belong

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

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Quentin Coleman comes to Champaign as part of a large freshman class, but can he stand apart and prove himself to be an NBA caliber talent after a single season?

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

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After the NBA Draft withdrawal deadline, here is where top pundits – including those of us at Illinois on SI – rank the Illini nationally

Jan 2, 2026; Mesa, AZ, USA; Arizona Compass Prep forward DeMarcus Henry (15) against Spire Institute (OH) during the HoopHall West Tournament at Skyline High School. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

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The Illini recently joined the race for Henry, who is the latest top recruit being targeted by Brad Underwood and his staff

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The Illini recently extended an offer to 2027 prospect Cayden Daughtry, who breaks the mold of the prototype Brad Underwood guard

Mar 21, 2026; Greenville, SC, USA; VCU Rams guard Brandon Jennings (0) defends against Illinois Fighting Illini guard Andrej Stojakovic (2) during the second half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

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Stojakovic has loads of talent, but can he sharpen the one tool that has eluded him until now to make the final leap next season?

News

Like her counterparts in the Illini men's hoops program, Shauna Green and her staff are tapping into the international women's talent pipeline

Apr 4, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Andrej Stojakovic (2) warms up before a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament against the UConn Huskies at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

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Stojakovic, who committed to a return to Illinois next season, is all but guaranteed to start – but who will join him in the lineup?

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Coleman will spend early June with Team USA, giving Illinois fans another reason to believe in their freshmen pipeline

Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood and guard Andrej Stojakovic (2) celebrate after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes in an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

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After testing the NBA waters, Stojakovic decided to officially return to Champaign for one more ride – and social media was over the moon about it

Apr 2, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Andrej Stojakovic (2) during open locker room at the Final Four. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

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Stojakovic had until Wednesday night to decide whether to stay in the NBA Draft or return for a final season with the Illini

Feb 7, 2026; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Jeremy Fears Jr. (1) drives past Illinois Fighting Illini guard Andrej Stojakovic (2) during overtime at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images

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Illinois' Andrej Stojakovic and Michigan State's Jeremy Fears Jr. may hold the keys that unlock the next conference championship