Illinois Fighting Illini: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

One Area of Improvement for Every Illinois Player for the NCAA Tournament

Illinois tips off its 2026 NCAA Tournament in Greenville, South Carolina, on Thursday night (8:25 p.m. CT, TNT) against 14th-seeded Penn . The Illini, who earned a three seed, have faltered over the past month or so, leaving much to be desired during their 4-5 stretch.

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Brad Underwood Faces 'Great Friend' Fran McCaffery in NCAA Tournament

Sometimes it feels like the NCAA Tournament selection committee can't resist an intriguing story line when a reasonable opportunity arises to create one.

Jay Bilas News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / March 16

ESPN's Jay Bilas Predicts a Deep Illinois Run – But a Familiar Foe Looms

Back in mid-February, Illinois was on top of the college basketball world. Although the Illini may not have been the top-ranked squad in the land, they had won 12 straight games and looked the part of a future No.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / March 16

ESPN Analytics Predict Illinois vs. Penn NCAA Tournament Matchup

The NCAA Tournament is such a special event because it breaks trends, curbs expectations and, sometimes, simply defies basketball logic. Upsets are the name of the game come March, which means everyone – regardless of seeding – is vulnerable.

Brad Underwood News / NCAA Basketball on ClutchPoints / March 17

Why Illinois basketball is on upset alert in 2026 NCAA Tournament

Illinois basketball head coach Brad Underwood matched school history ahead of the NCAA Tournament. He’s the first Illini head coach since Lou Henson to lead six straight March Madness appearances.

Brad Underwood News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / March 16

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.

College Basketball News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / March 15

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.