Illinois Fighting Illini: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

EvanMiya Tabs Illinois' Keaton Wagler as Top-5 Freshman, David Mirkovic Close Behind

Heading into every college basketball season, there’s a buzz of excitement surrounding the freshman class. The 2025-26 campaign was no different, and many even believed this year’s freshman class had the most overall firepower at the top of any in quite some time.

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The Illinois Fighting Illini look to prove themselves against the No. 19 Ohio State Buckeyes

The Illinois Fighting Illini (13-2; 3-1 Big Ten) will be put to the test this Wednesday when they take on the No. 19 Ohio State Buckeyes (13-2; 3-1 Big Ten).

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

The Secret to Illinois Basketball's Elite Transition Defense

Illinois’ defense has been questionable at times in the 2025-26 season, although it appears over the past few contests that a new chapter is currently unfolding, as the Illini have been locking down on that end since the Nebraska loss.

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

Illinois Leaps Ahead, Big Ten Dominates in Latest AP College Basketball Poll

Fourteen games into its season, lllinois basketball finally appears to be finding its footing. The general expectation was that the Illini would need some

Kylan Boswell News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / January 4

Are We Undervaluing the Impact of Illinois Basketball's Kylan Boswell?

Illinois at SI has drilled home this point all season long: Few college basketball teams, if any, boast the offensive firepower and balance that the Illini does.

Watch: Illinois at Michigan State | HIGHLIGHTS | Big Ten Women's Basketball | 1/4/2026

Watch: Illinois vs. Penn State | HIGHLIGHTS | Big Ten Men's Basketball | 01/03/26

Brad Underwood News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / January 3

Illinois' Brad Underwood Pinpoints the Key to Success in Big Ten Play

The Big Ten slate is not for the weak. The never-ending grind wears on even the toughest teams, stripping away much of a club’s mental and physical capacities during the months of January and February.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / January 3

Where College Basketball's Top Experts Rank Illinois: Too High or Too Low?

In the thick of the holidays, AP voters didn’t cast a ballot last Monday, meaning the rankings haven’t shifted since the morning of December 22, hours before Illinois’ decimation of Missouri.

Brad Underwood News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / January 3

Brad Underwood on the Power of Illinois Athletics' Success: 'Winning's Contagious'

Illinois basketball has compiled an early record of 10-3 and is seemingly on its way to yet another 20-win season in Champaign. If the Illini reach that mark, it would be the seventh straight season under coach Brad Underwood that the club has reached that plateau.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / January 3

Illinois Football Takes More Personnel Losses Through the Transfer Portal

Illinois football has officially arrived at the level of success that nobody warns you about: the roster turnover hangover. After finishing the best two-year stretch in program history, the Illini now stare into the swirling chaos of the transfer portal, where depth charts dissolve and offseason optimism is tested daily.

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

Three More Illinois Football Players Are Set to Transfer – What It Means

Illinois' Bret Bielema became the first head coach in program history to win at least nine games in back-to-back season, and also the first Illini coach

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Swish Appeal / January 2

Maryland, LSU are no longer undefeated thanks to the clutch play of Illinois, Kentucky

The first day of 2026 gave us a pair of upsets in women’s college basketball. First, unranked Illinois beat previously undefeated No. 7 Maryland, 73-70.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Big Ten Network / January 1

Watch: Maryland vs. Illinois | Highlights | Big Ten Women's Basketball | 01/01/26

David Olano News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / January 1

Illinois Kicker David Olano Enters the Transfer Portal – What It Means

After authoring one of the all-time highlights in Illinois football history just two days ago with a game-winning field goal as time expired in the Illini's

Luke Altmyer News / Larry Brown Sports / December 31

Illinois QB Luke Altmyer runs over a referee during Music City Bowl

Luke Altmyer left a referee with tire marks all over his face during Tuesday’s bowl game. The senior quarterback Altmyer and Illinois squared off against Tennessee in the Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl.

College Football News / Yardbarker / December 30

Illinois staves off Tennessee on walk-off field goal to win Music City Bowl

The win is the second straight bowl win for Bret Bielema and Illinois.

The 25 greatest players in SEC football history

The 'College nicknames that don't end in s' quiz

College Football News / Athlon Sports / December 30

Tennessee vs. Illinois Prediction: Music City Bowl Preview

College football’s postseason continues on Tuesday evening with a Big Ten-SEC clash in Nashville, as Tennessee and Illinois meet in the Music City Bowl.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / CFB-HQ on SI / December 29

Tennessee vs. Illinois prediction: Who wins the Music City Bowl, and why?

The latest offering from college football bowl season brings us a notable SEC vs. Big Ten clash from Nashville as Tennessee and Illinois face off in the 2025 Music City Bowl game.

Bret Bielema News / A to Z Sports / December 29

Illinois HC Bret Bielema accidentally told a lie about Tennessee ahead of matchup against the Vols in the Music City Bowl

The Tennessee Vols and the Illinois Fighting Illini will face off on Tuesday in Nashville in the Music City Bowl. Coaches from both programs met with the media on Monday to preview the game.

Bret Bielema News / A to Z Sports / December 28

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema explains why Tennessee didn't want to practice at Vanderbilt ahead of the Music City Bowl

The Tennessee Vols arrived in Nashville shortly after Christmas to continue preparations for their upcoming matchup against the Illinois Fighting Illini in the Music City Bowl.