Illinois Fighting Illini: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Could Illinois Play in a College Basketball International Series?

Brad Underwood has emphasized international recruiting in recent seasons, and it's a key reason Illinois has its sights set on a deep NCAA Tournament run.

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The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

The Critical Balance Illinois Must Strike in the Postseason

The NCAA Tournament is one of the greatest spectacles in sports for a reason: upsets. Few games have the ability to produce unexpected outcomes as often as basketball, and that’s what makes March Madness – a one-and-done event – an unforgettable affair for fans, but also a mighty tough trek for the teams participating in it.

Brad Underwood News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / March 12

Illinois Injury and Illness News on Keaton Wagler, Andrej Stojakovic, Brad Underwood

By mid-March, every team in college basketball is worn down, both physically and mentally. Postseason play – and the opportunity for players and teams to etch their names into college basketball lore – often rejuvenates from a mental standpoint, even if the physical requires other healing.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / March 11

How Illinois Basketball Can Win the 2026 Big Ten Tournament

On Friday, Illinois will begin its run at a Big Ten Tournament championship , needing just three wins to secure the title after it clinched a triple bye behind a 15-5 conference record.

College Basketball News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / March 11

The One Team Illinois Should Want to Avoid in the Big Ten Tournament

At this stage of Illinois' 2025-26 season, the Illini should fear no foe. They are 23-7, having lost five games by four points or fewer and the other two to No.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / March 11

Has Illinois Already Secured a No. 2 Seed in the NCAA Tournament?

The NCAA Tournament selection committee always takes the Big Ten Tournament into account for seeding the Big Dance – or so it says. Rarely in the past

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Big Ten Network / March 10

Watch: W. Illinois at Illinois | HIGHLIGHTS | Big Ten Baseball | 03/10/20

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

Illinois Basketball’s Final Regular-Season Rankings: AP Poll, KenPom and NET

In anxiety-inducing fashion, Illinois slipped past Maryland in College Park on Sunday, escaping with a 78-72 victory to finish off its 2025-26 schedule

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

Illinois' Big Ten Tournament Seed Revealed: Breaking Down the Illini's Path

Following Nebraska’s overtime win against Iowa, the Big Ten regular-season standings have officially been cemented for the 2025-26 season – which means the conference tournament seeds have been finalized.

Brad Underwood News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / March 8

Brad Underwood Says Illinois Has No Late-Game Problem – Here's Why He's Wrong

Illinois’ 2025-26 regular season was undeniably impressive (24-7 overall and 15-5 in the Big Ten), but it would be difficult to refute the argument that the Illini underachieved.The potential of Brad Underwood’s club has been realized only on occasions – and rarely for 40 straight minutes.

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

The Three Best Games of Illinois Basketball's 2025-26 Regular Season

With Illinois’ narrow escape at Maryland on Sunday afternoon – a much-too-close 78-72 win – the Illini's regular-season slate has officially come to a close.

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

Social Media Reacts to Illinois Closing Out Regular Season With Win at Maryland

Illinois (24-7, 15-5 Big Ten) did not make Sunday's road matchup with Maryland look easy, but at this point in the season, style points matter a lot less than finding a way to win.

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

The Theme That Will Define Illinois Basketball's Postseason Success

In November, being dubbed a “high-ceiling team” is a compliment. The expectation at that juncture isn’t perfection. The growth opportunities all lie ahead for every squad at that stage of the season – meaning there is more than enough time for that potential to be realized.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Big Ten Network / March 6

Watch: Spotlighting Danny Pucino | Illinois Wrestling | On The Mat

Kylan Boswell News / Big Ten Network / March 6

Watch: Spotlighting Kylan Boswell | Illinois Basketball | The Journey

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Big Ten Network / March 3

Watch: Oregon at Illinois | HIGHLIGHTS | Big Ten Basketball | 03/03/2026

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.