Basketball

Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) is defended by Penn Quakers guard AJ Levine (0) Thursday, March 19, 2026, during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament first round game at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina.

Keaton Wagler hushed any (far too early) critiques on Sunday night, Will Riley dominated, and other Illini starred in their roles

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Keaton Wagler hushed any (far too early) critiques on Sunday night, Will Riley dominated, and other Illini starred in their roles

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The Illini should be one of the best teams in the country, but they aren't a finished product – especially on one end of the floor

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This experienced Illini squad already checks a lot of boxes, but there are some unknowns as well – even for the returners

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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The Illini are the first high-major program to offer Stasys, an in-state recruit with a unique skill set

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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Coleman enters college with great expectations, but is he ready to hit the ground running as the Illini's premier weapon?

Jun 23, 2026; New York, NY, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver greets the fifth pick in the 2026 NBA draft, Illinois guard Keaton Wagler after he was selected by the Los Angeles Clippers at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

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Both Keaton Wagler and Kylan Boswell struggled mightily in their respective debuts, while a more seasoned former Illini showed out

Feb 18, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Andrej Stojakovic (2) reacts against the Southern California Trojans in the first half at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

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The Illini have an elite cast of returners, but so do some other Big Ten squads. Where did David Mirkovic and Andrej Stojakovic fall on this list?

Mar 8, 2026; College Park, Maryland, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Zvonimir Ivisic (44) reacts after making a basket during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

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If Ivisic improves incrementally in just two areas, the Illini could become a near-unstoppable college basketball juggernaut

Nov 27, 2025; San Diego, CA, USA; Providence Friars guard Stefan Vaaks (7) handles the ball against Wisconsin Badgers during the first half at Jenny Craig Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Abe Arredondo-Imagn Images

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Vaaks showcased his well-known skills with Estonia – but also flashed some abilities Illini fans may not have expected

Jan 24, 2026; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Mihailo Petrovic (77) looks for an open teammate during the first half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Mackey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images

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Mihailo Petrovic found a transfer destination in the Big East, while Ben Humrichous and Kasparas Jakucionis recently went off

Dec 6, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Andrej Stojakovic (2) celebrates the win with head coach Brad Underwood against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

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The Illini need to find someone to step into the shutdown defender role. Underwood mentioned a few potential names - three of whom are our top candidates.

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Underwood believes Williams may be as athletic a player as Champaign has seen during his tenure

Feb 4, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood talks to forward David Mirkovic (0) during the first half against the Northwestern Wildcats at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

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Underwood offered his opinion on why Mirkovic stayed in Champaign instead of playing for his national team and gave insight on Mirkovic's offseason thus far

Feb 11, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Providence Friars guard Stefan Vaaks (7) at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Underwood appears impressed by Vaaks, who is expected to carry a heavy load in his first year with the Illini

Jan 23, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood before the tipoff of a game with the Maryland Terrapins at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

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The Illini may be bringing back five rotational players from 2025-26, but 'this team will have its own identity' says head coach Brad Underwood

Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) and center Tomislav Ivisic (13) react 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: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

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The Illini undoubtedly have talent in their big-man rotation, but coach Brad Underwood wants to see a lot more from his frontcourt

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

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With new pieces in Champaign, expect Illinois to play faster – but feature an attack as dangerous as that of the 2025-26 Illini

Jan 14, 2025; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood during the first half against the Indiana Hoosiers at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

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Brown is best known for his shooting, but that isn't what has caught Illini coach Brad Underwood's attention this summer

Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood watches the action Friday, March 14, 2025, in a quarterfinals game at the 2025 TIAA Big Ten Tournament between the Maryland Terrapins and the Illinois Fighting Illini at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

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Get status updates on Andrej Stojakovic, Jake Davis and other Illinois players who have been out or limited for offseason activities

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 continue to make Pettigrew, an in-state 2028 target, one of their top priorities – and for good reason

Apr 2, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois head coach Brad Underwood during a press conference ahead 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 extended the first high-major offer to Connor, whose ongoing development could push him to far outplay his unranked status

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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The Illini's greatest strength may be their balance, but someone has to lead the charge – and we believe it will be Mirkovic

Apr 3, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood speaks during a press conference ahead of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

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Certain 2027 recruits have separated themselves from the others as the best the Illini should pursue

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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Was a Final Four appearance enough to push Brad Underwood into the elite tier of Big Ten head coaches – and who is No. 1?

Keaton Wagler, Ben Humrichous and Kylan Boswell each landed with an NBA franchise this week