Illinois Fighting Illini: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Every Record Illinois Basketball Broke (and Nearly Broke) in Win Over FDU

Illinois opened its 2026-27 campaign with a bang on Monday night in Champaign, defeating Fairleigh Dickinson 120-45 in a blowout for the ages. The Illini

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Social Media Reacts to Illinois Basketball's Annihilation of Fairleigh Dickinson

Illinois could not have asked for a much better start to the 2026-27 season, absolutely dismantling Fairleigh Dickinson 120-45 on Monday at the State Farm Center in Champaign.

Brad Underwood News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / November 2

Brad Underwood Breaks Down What Every Illini Freshman Brings to the Table

Prior to Illinois’ 2026-27 campaign, coach Brad Underwood went on "The Illinois Script" and previewed the upcoming season. During his appearance, he profiled each Illini freshman’s game.Here’s what Underwood had to say about his first-year players, along with our takes: “Q’s a guy that wouldn’t shock me, at some point, if he has a triple-double.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / November 2

Predicting Illinois Basketball's First 10 Games of the 2026-27 Season

Two hundred twelve days have separated Illinois’ most recent official game – a Final Four loss to UConn back in early April – and its next one, Monday's 2026-27 season opener.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / November 2

3 Questions Facing Illinois Basketball Ahead of Season Opener vs. FDU

The eagerly anticipated Illinois basketball season finally gets underway on Monday (7 p.m. CT, BTN) against Fairleigh Dickinson. FDU will be far from the

College Basketball News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / November 2

Preview: Illinois Basketball vs Fairleigh Dickinson

At long last, Illinois basketball has officially – if incompletely – returned. On Monday night, the Illini will take the State Farm Center floor for their first regular-season action since making their 2026 Final Four run.

David Mirkovic News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / November 1

Illinois Basketball's David Mirkovic Undergoes Appendectomy: What It Means

Illinois basketball will officially open its 2026-27 campaign on Monday night against Fairleigh Dickinson (7 p.m. CT, Big Ten) without its preseason All-American David Mirkovic .

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / November 1

Illinois Freshman Ethan Brown Embraces Selfless Role: 'I'm Not Here to Score'

Illinois basketball freshman Ethan Brown scored 15 points (against Cincinnati) in his first live action as an Illinois player. He was second on the team with 12 points on Wednesday vs.

Stefan Vaaks News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / November 1

Why Stefan Vaaks Is Coming Off the Bench for Illinois Basketball

Stefan Vaaks coming off the bench for Illinois basketball through three exhibition games this season, in one word: baffling. Vaaks, even by the sky-high standard of this squad, is really good.

Stefan Vaaks News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 30

Illinois Basketball 2026-27 Scouting Report: Stefan Vaaks

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 / October 29

Illinois Has Unexpectedly Reinvented Its Offense: 'We Truly Don't Run Plays'

Here’s a great idea: Run college basketball’s most efficient offense of all time, then kick it to the curb a season later. No, really. It actually is a

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 28

Illinois Basketball 2026-27 Scouting Report: Lincoln Williams

Jason Jakstys News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 28

Illinois Basketball 2026-27 Scouting Report: Jason Jakstys

Blake Fagbemi News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 28

Illinois Basketball 2026-27 Scouting Report: Blake Fagbemi

Brad Underwood News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 27

Brad Underwood Updates Injury Status of Five Illinois Players Before UIC Exhibition

Illinois’ eagerly anticipated 2026-27 season hasn’t even tipped off, yet the Illini are already pretty banged up. Preseason All-American David Mirkovic

Bret Bielema News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 26

Bret Bielema Offers Illinois Football Injury Update: Two Illini Out for the Year

Just a few weeks ago, Illinois was 2-3 and winless in the Big Ten. Its 2026 campaign seemed all but lost. Since then, the Illini have rattled off a road win at Michigan State and a home victory over Oregon , with a bye week sandwiched in between.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 26

Illinois Basketball Player Grades After Baylor Exhibition Loss

It’s midterm season in Champaign, and despite Illinois basketball's season having yet to official tip off, our grades are rolling in. In this space, we’ll rate each Illini on their performance on the court in the team's exhibition loss to Baylor.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 25

Social Media Reacts to Illinois Football's Upset Win Over Oregon

Just when it looked like Illinois football's season was headed down the tubes, the Illini delivered their biggest surprise of the year. Behind true freshman

Zvonimir Ivisic News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 25

Illinois Basketball 2026-27 Scouting Report: Zvonimir Ivisic

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 25

5 Expectations for Illinois Women's Basketball in 2026-27

After just four years in Champaign, Illinois women's basketball coach Shauna Green has completely turned around a long-mediocre program. Green has led the Illini to the NCAA Tournament in three of her four seasons, and in each of the past two seasons Illinois has won a tournament game – its first since the turn of the century.

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

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 25

Three Overreactions to Illinois Basketball's Exhibition Loss to Baylor

Preseason games rarely earn the label, but Illinois lost a heartbreaker on Friday in Champaign against Baylor. A furious Illini comeback attempt came up just short as they they fell 95-91 against the Bears .

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Busting Brackets / October 23

College basketball games today: Kentucky, Illinois and Arizona headline 18-game Friday exhibition schedule

College basketball fans have plenty to watch Friday, October 23, as an entertaining exhibition schedule features 18 games across the country. Several nationally prominent programs will face challenging opponents before the regular season begins, including Kentucky hosting Texas Tech and Illinois welcoming Baylor.