Illinois Fighting Illini: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Illinois gets an unexpected NCAA Tournament rematch with a familiar Big Ten rival

Illinois spent much of last March reminding the college basketball world that it belongs among the nation's elite programs. The Fighting Illini advanced to their first Final Four since 2005, finished with 28 victories and established themselves as one of the country's most dangerous offensive teams.

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Collin Dixon Has Become the Receiver Big Ten Defenses Have to Plan Around

As Illinois beat Oregon, Collin Dixon tied a record over seven games that took Pat Bryant an entire season to reach and that was to have 10 touchdowns in a single season.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / November 4

How Illinois Basketball Will Respond to Losing Jake Davis to Shoulder Surgery

Illinois basketball’s 2026-27 opener was all sunshine and rainbows , save for one very dark storm cloud: the first-half departure of wing Jake Davis. It was initially reported that he had suffered a shoulder injury , and all outward signs pointed in the wrong direction.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / November 4

Illinois' Quentin Coleman Takes EvanMiya By Storm, Becomes No. 1 Freshman

News flash: Illinois freshman guard Quentin Coleman is really good. We saw it in all three exhibition games, and we saw it again in official action on Monday night vs.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / November 4

Preview: Illinois Women's Basketball vs. Detroit Mercy

The 2026-27 Illinois women's basketball season has arrived, and expectations are as high as they have been in quite some after the Illini advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament last season for the second consecutive year.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / EssentiallySports / November 4

Historic College Football Rivalry Game Cancelled After Much-Awaited 17-Year Return

Some rivalries take years to find their next chapter. For Illinois, the wait began in 2010, when Missouri walked away with a 23-13 victory and left the Fighting Illini with a score to settle.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / November 4

Illinois Basketball Player Grades After Win Over FDU

One game down. Thirty one – and, ideally, a lot more – to go for Illinois basketball in the 2026-27 season. The Illini steamrolled Fairleigh Dickinson in a 120-45 win on Monday to open their campaign and rewrite the record books.Here is each Illinois player’s grade (at least 10 minutes played to be eligible) from the victory: Twenty points?

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

Brad Underwood Reveals More Details on David Mirkovic's Appendectomy

Illinois basketball coach Brad Underwood informed the media on Sunday that Preseason All-American forward David Mirkovic had suffered a setback. Mirkovic, in the midst of working his way back from a foot injury, required an emergency appendectomy .

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

Jake Davis Injury 'Doesn't Sound Great': What It Means for Illinois if He's Out

In the first half of Illinois basketball's victory over Fairleigh Dickinson on Monday, veteran Illini swingman Jake Davis left the game clutching his left shoulder after attempting to battle through a screen.

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

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

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

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 28

Illinois Basketball 2026-27 Scouting Report: Lincoln Williams

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 / 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.