Illinois Fighting Illini: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Why Illinois' Brad Underwood Has Earned His Coach of the Year Candidacy

Illinois fans, certain college basketball experts – and, yes, Illinois on SI, too – have spent chunks of the season treating Brad Underwood like the remote control when the TV stops working.

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Preview: Illinois Women's Basketball vs. Northwestern

Illinois (18-8, 8-7 Big Ten) is looking to close the regular-season stretch run with momentum and another building block to add to its NCAA Tournament resume.

Brad Underwood News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / February 20

Why Illinois' Brad Underwood May Keep Starting Jake Davis Over Andrej Stojakovic

This past offseason, Illinois recognized it needed a go-to guy – a pure bucket-getter who could serve as the focal point of the offense and be a late-game closer.

Brad Underwood News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / February 19

Why Brad Underwood Has 'The Best Job In College Basketball' at Illinois

Some Big Ten coaches complain about travel challenges created by conference expansion out west.But from the on-court results to the fan turnout, it didn't bother No.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / February 19

Illinois Keeps Rewriting KenPom Record Books in Historic Season

Illinois’ defense – which has toggled up and down for a good portion of the season – put together a picturesque performance in Los Angeles on Wednesday night: stellar one-on-one defense, great help on drivers, top-notch rim protection and solid closeouts on shooters behind the arc.

Kylan Boswell News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / February 19

Kylan Boswell's Ridiculous Putback Dunk Highlights Illinois' Rout of USC

Kylan Boswell 's putback dunk during Wednesday's 101-65 win at USC caused a collective gasp for a few reasons.First, as the shortest player in Illinois' main eight-man rotation by at least four inches, the 6-foot-2 Boswell might be the least-expected Illini to throw down a thunderous dunk.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / February 19

5 Key Stats That Show How Dominant Illinois Was in Win Over USC

Illinois tipped off its West Coast road trip in Los Angeles on Wednesday night in a matchup against USC – a club that had won three of its past four. The

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Big Ten Network / February 19

Watch: Illinois at USC | HIGHLIGHTS | Big Ten Men's Basketball | 02/18/2026

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / February 17

3 Things to Watch When Illinois Basketball Faces USC

Illinois got back on track with a 71-51 win over Indiana on Sunday, snapping its lone two-game skid of the season. It came with the return of guard Kylan Boswell and David Mirkovic 's second-highest scoring game of the season at 25 points.

Brad Underwood News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / February 17

Brad Underwood Shares Andrej Stojakovic Update Ahead of Illinois at USC

Just two days ago, after Illinois wing Andrej Stojakovic was held out of his second straight game, coach Brad Underwood gave the media an update on his status.

College Football News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / February 17

Illinois Offers Three-Star Recruit, Illinois State Champion: What It Means

After a brief quiet spell, Bret Bielema and Illinois football are getting back in on recruiting action. The Illini landed a couple recruits two weeks ago , and on Monday they sent offers to two more: three-star offensive lineman Ian Walker and safety Jake Thies.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / February 16

Can Illinois Still Earn a No. 1 Seed in the NCAA Tournament? What Needs to Happen

Every Division I college basketball program, in theory, is aiming for the No. 1 overall seed heading into the NCAA Tournament. The idea is that the designation gives a club the “easiest” path from the Round of 64 to the national championship game.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / February 16

Where College Basketball's Top Experts Rank Illinois After Indiana Win

After Illinois saw its 12-game win streak snapped by Michigan State, the expectation was the Illini would return to Champaign with some extra motivation for their next matchup.

Preview: Illinois Women's Basketball vs. Rutgers

After nearly a week away from game action, Illinois returns to the floor hoping to be refreshed for the final push of the regular season. The Illini (17-8,

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / February 15

Illinois Rediscovers Its Lost Identity to Batter Indiana on the Boards

Illinois didn’t shoot it well in Sunday's 71-51 win over Indiana, a statement that contains a couple of ideas that wouldn't seem to align. The Illini went just 7-for-31 (22.6 percent) from three-point range and missed a total of 37 shots from the field – yet they won by 20.

Brad Underwood News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / February 15

Brad Underwood Implies Illinois' Andrej Stojakovic Could Miss More Time

In Illinois’ loss to Michigan State on Feb. 7, wing Andrej Stojakovic appeared to roll his ankle, but any long-term concerns were quickly whisked away as he then proceeded to play 35 minutes against the Spartans – and 35 really effective minutes, at that.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / February 15

Social Media Reacts to Illinois Basketball's Bounce-Back Win Over Indiana

Illinois desperately needed a response. After dropping two straight games and watching its momentum stall, the Illini returned home Sunday knowing that a matchup against Indiana was less about style points and more about reestablishing who they are.

Watch: Indiana at Illinois | HIGHLIGHTS | Big Ten Basketball | 02/15/2026

Big Ten Battle in Champaign: Can Indiana Slow Down No. 8 Illinois?

Sunday afternoon in Champaign brings a pivotal Big Ten showdown as Indiana travels to face No. 8 Illinois at the State Farm Center. Illinois enters at 20–5 overall and 11–3 in conference play, firmly in the hunt near the top of the league standings.

Big Ten Battle in Champaign: Can Indiana Slow Down No. 8 Illinois?

Built for March: Why Illinois Could Cut Down the Nets

After years of improvement and five straight NCAA Tournament appearances, the Illinois Fighting Illini are set to make a run during March Madness. With strong leadership under head coach Brad Underwood, elite playmaking at every position, and a deep bench, Illinois has a realistic chance to cut down the nets when it’s all said and done in April.