Illinois Fighting Illini: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Bret Bielema Offers Illinois Football Injury Update: Two Illini Out for the Year

Just a few weeks ago, Illinois was 2-3 and winless in the Big Ten. Its 2026 campaign seemed all but lost. Since then, the Illini have rattled off a road win at Michigan State and a home victory over Oregon , with a bye week sandwiched in between.

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The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

Illinois Basketball Player Grades After Baylor Exhibition Loss

It’s midterm season in Champaign, and despite Illinois basketball's season having yet to official tip off, our grades are rolling in. In this space, we’ll rate each Illini on their performance on the court in the team's exhibition loss to Baylor.

Zvonimir Ivisic News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 25

Illinois Basketball 2026-27 Scouting Report: Zvonimir Ivisic

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 25

5 Expectations for Illinois Women's Basketball in 2026-27

After just four years in Champaign, Illinois women's basketball coach Shauna Green has completely turned around a long-mediocre program. Green has led the Illini to the NCAA Tournament in three of her four seasons, and in each of the past two seasons Illinois has won a tournament game – its first since the turn of the century.

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 / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 25

Three Overreactions to Illinois Basketball's Exhibition Loss to Baylor

Preseason games rarely earn the label, but Illinois lost a heartbreaker on Friday in Champaign against Baylor. A furious Illini comeback attempt came up just short as they they fell 95-91 against the Bears .

Illinois Fighting Illini News / SwimSwam / October 24

Winter Juniors Qualifier Briana Mingmuang Verbally Commits To Illinois For Fall 2028

By Sean Griffin on SwimSwam Fitter and Faster Swim Camps is the proud sponsor of SwimSwam’s College Recruiting Channel and all commitment news. For many, swimming in college is a lifelong dream that is pursued with dedication and determination.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 24

Illinois Basketball 2026-27 Scouting Report: Landon Davis

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 24

Illinois Women's Basketball Ranked to Open the Season – Are They Deserving?

After a strong finish to last season, the Illinois women's basketball team is ranked in both the preseason AP and coaches polls. Illinois was ranked No.

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.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 22

Illinois Basketball 2026-27 Scouting Report: Jake Davis

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 22

Brad Underwood Previews Illinois vs. Baylor, Updates David Mirkovic's Status

Illinois basketball coach Brad Underwood on Thursday previewed his club’s upcoming exhibition matchup against Baylor. The Illini have already played one exhibition game – a 105-96 win at Cincinnati – and Friday's outing against the Bears (7 p.m.

College Football News / Oregon Ducks on SI / October 22

Oregon vs. Illinois: Preview and Betting Odds

The Oregon Ducks’ margin for error is slim as they prepare for a Big Ten road matchup against the Illinois Fighting Illini. The 2026 season has been turbulent for the Ducks, to say the least.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 21

Illinois Basketball 2026-27 Scouting Report: Ethan Brown

David Mirkovic News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 21

Season of Expectations: Illinois' David Mirkovic Named AP Preseason All-American

On Wednesday, the 2026-27 preseason All-America team was released by the Associated Press . Illinois’ David Mirkovic was one of five players on the squad (this isn't one of those laundry-list preseason awards on which seemingly every other player in the country appears).

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 20

Illinois Football 2026 Scouting Report: Quarterback Michael Clayton II

Illinois on SI is delivering scouting reports for each of the key players on the Illini football team's 2026 roster. Below, we present our breakdown of freshman quarterback Michael Clayton II.

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

Brad Underwood Quotes to Know After Illinois' Exhibition Win Over Cincinnati

After Illinois took down Cincinnati 105-96 in its first exhibition matchup of the 2026-27 season (two more remain on the docket), Illini coach Brad Underwood addressed the media.

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

Analyzing Freshman Ethan Brown's Unexpected Start in Illinois' Win at Cincinnati

The shocker of the night in Illinois’ exhibition win over Cincinnati had nothing to do with the final score or who came out on top. Instead, it was freshman Ethan Brown getting the start over standout transfer Stefan Vaaks (whom many, including us, expected to land in the Illini's starting five ).

College Basketball News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 19

Illinois Basketball No. 3 in AP Preseason Poll – Should the Illini Be Even Higher?

The 2026-27 preseason AP poll was released on Monday, with Illinois landing at No. 3 in the country – trailing only No. 1 Florida and No. 2 Duke. UConn, which knocked off the Illini in the Final Four last season and is on the docket in early December , was slotted at No.

College Football News / Oregon Ducks on SI / October 19

Oregon vs. Illinois Betting Odds Come With Warning Sign for the Ducks

After a narrow 17-14 win over the Nebraska Cornhuskers at home in Autzen Stadium, the Ducks head on the road to start a crucial lineup of games that will determine Oregon's fate when it comes to making the postseason.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 18

Analyzing Illinois Basketball's Highlights From Exhibition Win Over Cincinnati

Illinois took down Cincinnati 105-96 in an exhibition game on Saturday. It was our first look at the 2026-27 Illini against an opponent. Unfortunately, that look was no more than a peek through a cracked door.

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

Brad Underwood's Key Quotes Ahead of Illinois Basketball vs. Cincinnati

On Friday morning, coach Brad Underwood addressed the media ahead of Illinois’ first exhibition matchup of the 2026-27 season – which takes place on Saturday at Cincinnati.

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 / Softball On SI / June 2

Illinois Softball All-American Named Head Coach of Program

A former Fighting Illini All-American is back in a new role with the program. University of Illinois Director of Athletics Josh Whitman announced the hiring of Jenna Hall as the third head coach in program history on Tuesday.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Athlon Sports / May 27

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.