Illinois Fighting Illini: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Brad Underwood on What Illinois Needs for a Deep NCAA Tournament Run

The 2026 NCAA Tournament bracket was officially set on Sunday evening – which means we now have 68 coaches saying some version of the same exact thing: It’s a new season.

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The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

3 Immediate Takeaways From Illinois' NCAA Tournament Draw

The month of March may have technically begun on the first, but as far as college basketball fans are concerned, it actually began Sunday evening at 5 p.m.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Big Ten Network / March 13

Watch: Minnesota at Illinois | HIGHLIGHTS | Big Ten Baseball | 03/13/2026

Brad Underwood News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / March 13

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.

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

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

Illinois Fighting Illini News / LWOSports.com / February 13

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.