Illinois Fighting Illini: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Brad Underwood on Illinois' Defensive Woes: 'I Cannot Get This Group to Talk'

It was abundantly clear what was on Brad Underwood’s mind after Illinois’ 108-86 win over Sam Houston on Friday. It wasn’t that the Illini scored 108 points on 53.3 percent shooting.

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3 Takeaways From Illinois Basketball's Uninspiring Win Over Sam Houston

Illinois men's basketball (3-1) hardly painted a masterpiece at the State Farm Center on Friday against a tough-to-put-away Sam Houston team (2-2). But 108 points and a 22-point victory can hardly be a poor night, right?

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / November 14

Does Illinois Basketball Have a Frontcourt Depth Problem?

Entering the 2026-27 campaign, it wasn’t overambitious to put Illinois’ frontcourt up there with that of Florida. Tomislav Ivisic is one of the best bigs in the country (he is currently the No.

Brad Underwood News / EssentiallySports / November 14

‘They Think They’re Baiting Officials, They’re Not’: Brad Underwood Voices Discontent Despite Illinois’ Win vs Sam Houston

Winning by 22 points would normally give a head coach plenty of reasons to smile. However, Brad Underwood clearly had other things on his mind after No.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / November 14

Social Media Reacts to Illinois Basketball's Ugly Win Over Sam Houston

After suffering its first loss of the season against Texas Tech, the No. 3-ranked Illinois basketball team returned to the State Farm Center in Champaign intent on getting back in the win column against Sam Houston.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / November 10

Brad Underwood on Teams Trying to Keep Up With Illinois' Tempo: 'Good Luck'

In 2026-27, Illinois has its pedal to the floorboard – at all times. To put it in perspective, if the Illini, who had 87 possessions in the win over Penn on Thursday , averaged that number for the year (which we realize won’t be happening, but bear with us), they would be the fastest team in the country … by 10 possessions.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / November 9

Illinois Basketball Pursuing High-Upside Lithuanian Forward Ignas Stombergas

Interestingly, Illinois didn’t technically add any international players this past offseason. Brad Underwood and his staff loaded up on 2026 recruits who

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / November 8

Illinois Basketball to Host Four-Star Center Jack Thelen

Recruiting never sleeps in college sports. Despite Illinois staring down the barrel of an upcoming matchup at Texas Tech , the Illini coaching staff isn't missing a beat on the recruiting trail – with big man Jack Thelen, a former Wisconsin commit, being the latest recipient of that attention.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / November 8

Illinois Basketball 2026-27 Scouting Report: Quentin Coleman

In the days leading up to Illinois' Nov. 2 regular-season opener at Champaign's State Farm Center, Illinois on SI will share a scouting report for each Illini player on the team's official 2026-27 roster.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / November 8

3 Things That Lifted Illinois Women's Basketball in a Blowout Win

Illinois women's basketball (2-0) got off to a slow start in its season opener on Wednesday against Detroit Mercy, but that was far from the case on Saturday against Southern University.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / November 7

Illinois Basketball Blows Out Penn: Illini Player Grades After the Win

Grade inflation is getting out of control nowadays. Everyone and their cousin has a 4.0 GPA. And that notion has never been more true than on Thursday night in Illinois’ win over Penn.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / November 7

Social Media Reacts to Illinois Football's Victory Over Nebraska

Somehow, someway, the Illini are back in business. After sitting at 2-3 and watching their season spiral toward disaster, Illinois has rattled off four consecutive victories, the latest coming in a 24-13 win over Nebraska on Friday night in Champaign.

Brad Underwood News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / November 6

Brad Underwood's Best Quotes After Illinois Basketball Routed Penn

Line ‘em up, knock ‘em down. Illinois’ encore to its program-record 75-point win over FDU was just a 42-point blasting of Penn, the Ivy League favorite and a team on the heels of an NCAA Tournament appearance.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Fadeaway World / November 6

Caitlin Clark’s Surprise Appearance Leaves Illinois Freshman Speechless In Hilarious Viral Moment

After a brilliant night out on the court and dismantling Penn Quakers at the State Farm Center, Illinois Fighting Illini freshman guard Quentin Coleman’s

College Basketball News / Busting Brackets / November 6

Illinois has scored 232 points in two games, and the scariest part might be its depth

Illinois entered the 2026–27 college basketball season with the expectations that come with a Final Four appearance and a roster full of intriguing talent.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / November 6

Preview: Illinois Football vs. Nebraska in Week 10

It has been a weird season for both Illinois (5-3, 3-2 Big Ten) and Nebraska (5-3, 2-3 Big Ten). The Illini had seemingly taken a gigantic step backwards, but they have since rattled off three straight Big Ten victories.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / November 6

Illinois Women's Basketball Shakes Off Slow Start, Downs Detroit Mercy

Sometimes a game's final score can be deceiving, and that was precisely the case in the Illinois women's basketball 2026-27 season opener against Detroit Mercy on Wednesday in Champaign.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / November 5

Social Media Reacts to Illinois Basketball Obliterating Penn

Another game, another offensive explosion for the Illini. After opening the season with a record-breaking 120-45 victory over Fairleigh Dickinson , Illinois picked up right where it left off Thursday night, dismantling Penn 112-70 at the State Farm Center to improve to 2-0.

College Basketball News / Busting Brackets / November 5

Illinois gets an unexpected NCAA Tournament rematch with a familiar Big Ten rival

Illinois spent much of last March reminding the college basketball world that it belongs among the nation's elite programs. The Fighting Illini advanced to their first Final Four since 2005, finished with 28 victories and established themselves as one of the country's most dangerous offensive teams.

Collin Dixon News / TWSN / November 4

Collin Dixon Has Become the Receiver Big Ten Defenses Have to Plan Around

As Illinois beat Oregon, Collin Dixon tied a record over seven games that took Pat Bryant an entire season to reach and that was to have 10 touchdowns in a single season.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / November 4

How Illinois Basketball Will Respond to Losing Jake Davis to Shoulder Surgery

Illinois basketball’s 2026-27 opener was all sunshine and rainbows , save for one very dark storm cloud: the first-half departure of wing Jake Davis. It was initially reported that he had suffered a shoulder injury , and all outward signs pointed in the wrong direction.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / November 4

Illinois' Quentin Coleman Takes EvanMiya By Storm, Becomes No. 1 Freshman

News flash: Illinois freshman guard Quentin Coleman is really good. We saw it in all three exhibition games, and we saw it again in official action on Monday night vs.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / EssentiallySports / November 4

Historic College Football Rivalry Game Cancelled After Much-Awaited 17-Year Return

Some rivalries take years to find their next chapter. For Illinois, the wait began in 2010, when Missouri walked away with a 23-13 victory and left the Fighting Illini with a score to settle.

College Football News / Yardbarker / October 25

Oregon shuffles offense after humbling performance against Illinois

Oregon has failed to score 20 or more points in any of the past three weeks.

The 'Schools to win a CFP game' quiz

NFL News / Yardbarker / August 28

Commanders fans could soon turn on HC Dan Quinn

Commanders fans may turn on HC Dan Quinn after alarming preseason loss to Ravens

Dan Quinn can call Washington’s 41-3 loss to Baltimore meaningless because it happened in the preseason. Commanders fans may soon arrive with pitchforks if the regular season confirms what Friday’s 38-point humiliation appeared to reveal.

Commanders should be concerned after pathetic showing at joint practice

Dan Quinn calls out Commanders after unacceptable preseason showing

Jayden Daniels’ lone drive exposes Commanders’ greatest concern

NFL roster cuts expose flaws in league's approach to player safety

The '200-passing yards in first 20 NFL games' quiz