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Illinois' Jason Jakstys 'Does Everything Right,' But Can He Find the Rotation?

Illinois' Jason Jakstys 'Does Everything Right,' But Can He Find the Rotation?

After suffering a blood clot in his shoulder in January , Illinois forward Jason Jakstys was sidelined for the remainder of the 2025-26 season. He wound up appearing in just nine games and averaging 5.3 minutes in those outings.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 7
Illinois Football Lands Top JUCO Interior Offensive Lineman Harry Maileoi

Illinois Football Lands Top JUCO Interior Offensive Lineman Harry Maileoi

Illinois football coach Bret Bielema made it a point of emphasis to heavily recruit the junior college ranks during the offseason. The Illini signed six JUCO prospects last season, and on Sunday they landed their first junior college prospect of this recruiting cycle in offensive lineman Harry Maileoi.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 7
Illinois' Brad Underwood on Transfer Stefan Vaaks' Progression – And His Next Step

Illinois' Brad Underwood on Transfer Stefan Vaaks' Progression – And His Next Step

Illinois basketball, which has accessed the portal at times during Brad Underwood's tenure with the program, elected to add only one transfer to the mix in the 2026 offseason.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 6
Illinois Misses on 5-Star Darius Wabbington to Big Ten Rival: Time to Be Concerned?

Illinois Misses on 5-Star Darius Wabbington to Big Ten Rival: Time to Be Concerned?

Close but no cigar… yet again for Brad Underwood and his staff. High-priority target Darius Wabbington picked Indiana on Tuesday, over Illinois and Arizona.

Brad Underwood News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 5
Illinois' Brad Underwood on Freshman Lincoln Williams' High Upside

Illinois' Brad Underwood on Freshman Lincoln Williams' High Upside

When Lincoln Williams, an in-state class of 2026 recruit from Kankakee, signed with Illinois in early June, it came entirely out of left field. It was, all things considered, a very late addition from the high school ranks.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 4
Brad Underwood Reveals What Illinois Needs From a Healthy Zvonimir Ivisic

Brad Underwood Reveals What Illinois Needs From a Healthy Zvonimir Ivisic

Back in early September, it was revealed by Illinois coach Brad Underwood that big man Zvonimir Ivisic had hurt his hand . At the time, the Illini didn’t seem to have much information about the injury (or Underwood wasn’t interested in sharing it).

Andrej Stojakovic News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 4
Illinois' Andrej Stojakovic Names Favorite Players: Do Their Games Resemble His?

Illinois' Andrej Stojakovic Names Favorite Players: Do Their Games Resemble His?

On Wednesday, Illinois released another edition of "The Illinois Script," an interview series with players and coaches from the university's athletics programs.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 3
Illinois Coach Brad Underwood Shares Latest on David Mirkovic's Recovery

Illinois Coach Brad Underwood Shares Latest on David Mirkovic's Recovery

It has been nearly two full months since sophomore Illinois forward David Mirkovic underwent surgery for a foot injury. Some initial reports foresaw an

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 3
What to Expect From Illinois Defense Without Bobby Hauck Calling Plays

What to Expect From Illinois Defense Without Bobby Hauck Calling Plays

Whether four games was enough time to determine whether Illinois and first-year defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck were a fit no longer matters. Together, Hauck and Illini coach Bret Bielema decided after last week's to Ohio State to part ways.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 1
Illinois Basketball Lands in 2027 5-Star Darius Wabbington's Top 3

Illinois Basketball Lands in 2027 5-Star Darius Wabbington's Top 3

Despite Illinois’ lengthy list of visits from five-star prospects in the class of 2027 – or should-have-been visits (thanks, Dan Hurley) – Brad Underwood and his coaching staff haven’t been able to lock down any members of that prestigious group.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 1
Illinois Misses on Another 5-Star 2027 Guard: Are the Illini Out of Options?

Illinois Misses on Another 5-Star 2027 Guard: Are the Illini Out of Options?

Over the past few months, it has felt like Brad Underwood and his coaching staff have been involved, one way or another, in the recruitment of practically every five-star prospect in the 2027 class.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / September 30
5 Key Takeaways From Illinois Basketball's Early Fall Highlights

5 Key Takeaways From Illinois Basketball's Early Fall Highlights

Illinois athletics' social media team on Monday released some early fall highlights from the men's basketball squad – the latest glimpse of what many in Champaign could be a national title contender.

Bret Bielema News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / September 28
Bret Bielema Reveals How Bobby Hauck's Illinois Exit Unfolded

Bret Bielema Reveals How Bobby Hauck's Illinois Exit Unfolded

Illinois defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck’s departure from the program on Sunday came as a shock (and elicited quite the reaction ). Previously a wildly successful FCS head coach during his time at Montana, Hauck had arrived in Champaign in February and parted ways with the Illini after just four games on the job.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / September 27
Social Media Reacts to Illinois and Bobby Hauck Parting Ways After Four Games

Social Media Reacts to Illinois and Bobby Hauck Parting Ways After Four Games

On Sunday, Illinois parted ways with defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck . It was reportedly a decision agreed on by both parties. Hauck, who requested an early meeting with Illini head coach Bret Bielema on Sunday, may have even kickstarted the process himself .

Bret Bielema News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / September 27

Did Illinois' Split From Defensive Coordinator Bobby Hauck Come Too Soon?

Sunday's news bomb detailing the exit of Illinois defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck described it as a “mutual” decision, according to Illini head coach Bret Bielema’s comments in a statement released by the program.

Bret Bielema News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / September 26
Bret Bielema Breaks Down Illinois' 'Unacceptable' Defense After Loss to Ohio State

Bret Bielema Breaks Down Illinois' 'Unacceptable' Defense After Loss to Ohio State

Illinois’ offense rattled off 462 total yards against perhaps the stingiest defense in the country on Saturday. It left too much on the table and still managed to score 19 points.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / September 24
Illinois Basketball 5-Star Targets See Same Appealing Promise in Champaign

Illinois Basketball 5-Star Targets See Same Appealing Promise in Champaign

Carrying the crown of college basketball’s premier offense for the vast majority of the 2025-26 season was what pushed Illinois to a 15-5 Big Ten season and a Final Four run.

Stefan Vaaks News / Busting Brackets / September 10
Illinois transfer Stefan Vaaks has on regrets about leaving Providence

Illinois transfer Stefan Vaaks has on regrets about leaving Providence

Stefan Vaaks does not sound like a player questioning his decision to leave Providence. The new Illinois guard made his feelings unmistakably clear when the subject of his former school came up during a recent public appearance.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Big Ten Network / September 4
Illinois Fighting Illini News / Volleyball On SI / September 3

Tennessee Volleyball Sets Second Attendance Record of the Season with Sweep Over Illinois

Just four days after Tennessee volleyball set an attendance record inside Food City Center in Knoxville, the crowd made history once again Tuesday night with 8,212 fans packing the arena.  In front of the loudest crowd, the No.

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
Illinois Fighting Illini News / Big Ten Network / August 22
Illinois Fighting Illini News / Athlon Sports / May 27
Illinois Reacts to Andrej Stojakovic’s Career Decision on Wednesday

Illinois Reacts to Andrej Stojakovic’s Career Decision on Wednesday

The Illinois Fighting Illini entered Wednesday anxiously waiting for one of the biggest roster decisions of the college basketball offseason. After testing the NBA Draft process and participating in the NBA Combine earlier this month, Andrej Stojakovic officially made his long-awaited decision just before the withdrawal deadline.

Brad Underwood News / Yardbarker / May 14
Brad Underwood could stick with Illinois through 2036 because of new extension

Brad Underwood could stick with Illinois through 2036 because of new extension

The Illinois Fighting Illini like head basketball coach Brad Underwood, and they have plenty of reason to.  

Illinois' Brad Underwood gets contract extension through 2032
UConn's Dan Hurley puts a price on being a college basketball contender in NIL era
NCAA Tournament expansion a sacrifice mid-majors forced to make in rev-share era
Illinois Fighting Illini News / Softball On SI / May 7

4 Candidates Illinois Softball Should Consider for Head Coach

The Illinois Fighting Illini parted ways with softball head coach Tyra Perry on Monday. Now, a national search for a new leader by Chief Sports Officer

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