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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

The Illini again have one of the premier high school recruiting classes in the country – but in a year they weren't necessarily expected to

Basketball

The Illini again have one of the premier high school recruiting classes in the country – but in a year they weren't necessarily expected to

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Dec 6, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood yells to his team against the Tennessee Volunteersduring the first half at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini sit outside the top 10 in Bart Torvik's early projections. Are they a touch too low or is the metric way off?

Mar 8, 2026; College Park, Maryland, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) celebrates with center Zvonimir Ivisic (44) during the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini are seeking another Final Four appearance next year. For that to happen, each returner must make an improvement or two.

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

Basketball

The Illini pledge scored 31 points and snagged 12 rebounds on Saturday night. Will he be Illinois' lead guard?

Dec 9, 2025; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts to a call during the first half against the Ohio State Buckeyes Value City Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini's outgoing transfers remain without new destinations as of early May. What level will each departure choose?

Apr 25, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (1) reacts after scoring a three-point shot against the Denver Nuggets in the second quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

Basketball

Terrence Shannon Jr. and Ayo Dosunmu each stepped up in a massive way to spark the Timberwolves in Round 1 of the NBA Playoffs

Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) speaks in a press conference 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: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Basketball

Wagler is headed toward the NBA lottery, but which pro teams will make the best fit for the soon-to-be former Illini?

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

Basketball

The Illini welcome a handful of new faces to Champaign for the 2026-27 season. We grade each addition below.

Dec 9, 2025; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) handles the ball as Ohio State Buckeyes guard John Mobley Jr. (0) defends during the first halfat Value City Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

Basketball

Did Keaton Wagler do enough in his one season at Illinois to cement himself as a top-10 player in program history?

Sep 20, 2025; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) warms up prior to the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

Football

Illinois had three players selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, and six more signed with NFL teams as undrafted free agents on Saturday and Sunday

Nov 28, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Andrej Stojakovic (2) at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Basketball

Illini wing Stojakovic reportedly threw his name in the NBA Draft. Why, and will he stay in it or return to Champaign?

Nov 1, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Gabe Jacas (17) celebrates his sack on Rutgers Scarlet Knights quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (16) during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Football

At least one expert believes Jacas, the former Illini linebacker taken No. 55 overall (second round) by the New York Giants, was a top draft value

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

It may be April, but the college basketball world is already looking ahead to next March. Here's where the Illini land in early 2027 March Madness predictions.

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

Are the Illini the (extremely) early frontrunners for the Big Ten crown next year – or is Michigan once again the favorite?

Basketball

Where should the Illini make their next addition – and do they even need to make another one?

Dec 29, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Brandon Lee (1) with ball during the first half against the Southern University Jaguars at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini lost their fourth player to the portal as Brandon Lee is gone. Here's how it affects Illinois moving forward.

Brandon Dang competes in the pommel horse on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024 during the Winter Cup Men s Day 2 Competition at the Kentucky International Convention Center.

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Illini men's gymnast Brandon Dang won the NCAA championship in the pommel horse event on Saturday

Mar 7, 2026; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard John Blackwell (25) celebrates making a basket during the first half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Mackey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini appear to be taking a back seat in the John Blackwell sweepstakes. Here's why it makes no sense.

Basketball

Where does Illinois’ 2026 recruiting class rank nationally? A full breakdown with key insights, strengths, and what it means for the program’s future.

Mar 19, 2026; Portland, OR, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard John Blackwell (25) passes against the High Point Panthers during the first half of a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini got back Andrej Stojakovic on Friday. But how does that impact their chase of Wisconsin transfer John Blackwell?

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

Basketball

Andrej Stojakovic is returning to Illinois basketball, and social media is buzzing. Here’s how fans and analysts are reacting to the big news.

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

Zens – a rugged, sharpshooting forward from the class of 2026 – picked the Illini over Iowa and Nebraska, among others

Apr 4, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Andrej Stojakovic (2) shoots 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

Stojakovic, the last of the Illini holdouts among potential returnees, made his official announcement Friday: "I'm back"

Feb 4, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Ty Rodgers (20) reacts after a 87-84 win over the Nebraska Cornhuskers at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini are losing a cherished member in Ty Rodgers, who has entered the transfer portal. Here are three ideal fits for Rodgers.

Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) controls the ball against Iowa Hawkeyes guard Kael Combs (11) in the first half 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

Basketball

Illini freshman phenom Wagler, who has entered the 2026 NBA Draft, seems to have strongly considered a return to Champaign