-
-
Follow Us
-
On Facebook
On Flipboard
Free Newsletters
On YouTube
Illinois Returnees Are 'Hungry' as Team Builds a New Identity for 2026-27
Back in April, for the first time in 21 long years, Illinois earned a Final Four berth . A tradition-rich program always on the precipice of powerhouse status, the Illini inched closer to earning that label and, in the process, Brad Underwood cemented himself as one of the premier head coaches in the program's history.
Illinois' Loaded Frontcourt Isn't a Finished Product: 'We Got to Get Better'
Consider Illinois’ frontcourt rotation from a season ago: David Mirkovic, Tomislav Ivisic, Zvonimir Ivisic and Ben Humrichous were one of the most uniquely gifted and complementary big-man units in the nation.
Is Freshman Guard Ethan Brown Illinois Basketball's Next Big Surprise?
The initial scouting report on incoming Illinois freshman Ethan Brown: positional size and shooting. A 6-foot-4 backcourt player with lead-guard ability.
Brad Underwood News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / June 30
Brad Underwood Provides Injury and Availability Updates for Multiple Illini
It has been almost three months since Illinois’ 2025-26 season concluded. After the Illini’s run through the NCAA Tournament was halted in the Final Four against UConn, Illinois coach Brad Underwood and his staff quickly turned the page and shifted into preparation mode for the 2026-27 season.
Illinois Basketball Offers Emerging 2027 Wing Jayon Connor
Deep into the summer of 2026, the vast majority of high-major prospects from the class of 2027 have already made themselves known. Illinois has its recruiting targets , but for the most part Brad Underwood and his competitors from the rest of college basketball's high-profie programs are all chasing more or less the same talent at the top.
Illinois Basketball's Top 2027 Recruiting Targets by Position
After making a late addition to the 2026-27 roster in early June (in-state 2026 recruit Lincoln Williams ), Illinois has seemingly turned its full summer recruiting attention to the 2027 and 2028 classes.
EA Sports' 'College Football 27' Ratings Released: Who Is Illinois' Top-Rated Player?
EA Sports' "College Football 2027" video game ratings were released Thursday, and to no one's surprise, fans were eager to know how high their favorite teams and players were ranked.
Illinois Gets Commitment From Three-Star Safety Tyrone Howard Jr.: What It Means
Illinois football landed a pair of three-star recruits over the past few days in kicker Ulysses Morales and wide receiver Brody Knowles, but coach Bret Bielema and his staff weren't done there.
Illinois Football Receive Commitment From 2027 Kicker Ulysses Morales
While Illinois basketball has spent much of its offseason to this point touting #TheRetention, its counterpart on the gridiron has had less success bringing
Illinois Football Gets Commitment From Linebacker Anthony James: What It Means
If you thought Illinois coach Bret Bielema and his staff were going to take a little break on the recruiting front over the summer, you thought wrong. The Illini have eight commits in the 2027 class, including five already this month after three-star linebacker Anthony James, from La Marque (Texas), committed to Illinois on Saturday.
Illinois Basketball Offers Five-Star 2028 Center Dylan Betts
Illinois continues to remain quite active in the high school recruiting ranks – and across all positions. Over the course of the past month, coach Brad Underwood and his staff have extended offers to a variety of recruits, ranging from a 6-foot lead guard to a 7-foot-3 center – and everything in between.
Illinois Football Receives Commitment From Edge Ryan Paulsen: What It Means
Last week Illinois landed its first out-of-state recruit in the class of 2027 in three-star tight end Cade Newman , and only two days later, the Illini added a second prospect from the Hawkeye State in edge Ryan Paulsen.
Illinois Basketball Offers Explosive 2027 Four-Star Forward Isaiah Santos
With summer hoops in full gear at the high school level, college coaches from around the country – including, evidently, Illinois’ staff – are pouring themselves into recruiting.
Who Will Lead Illinois in 2026-27? Predicting the Illini's Top Statistical Performers
In 2025-26, Keaton Wagler was indisputably the head of the snake for Illinois, but the Illini were by no means a one-man show. They had five players average double-figures scoring, along with six players who grabbed at least 4.0 rebounds per game.
Illinois Football Gets Commitment From Quarterback Sladen Shack: What It Means
If you thought Illinois' Bret Bielema wouldn't find a quarterback for his recruiting 2027 class after Kamden Lopati flipped from Illinois to Michigan nearly two months ago, guess again.
Top Five Players Illinois Basketball Will Face in 2026-27
In recent years, Illinois basketball has gone out of its way to seek out the toughest matchups. As a member of the Big Ten, which has cemented itself as the premier league in the country, the Illini already get their fair share of grueling battles after the New Year.
College Football News / CFB-HQ on SI / June 13
Illinois Coach Bret Bielema Sounds Alarm on NIL’s Long-Term Impact on College Football
The name, image, and likeness (NIL) era is here. This new era allows boosters to legally pay players to play for them. In some cases, a lot of good has come from the NIL era.
Illinois Basketball Class of 2026 Superlatives: Is Lincoln Williams the Best Athlete?
All the buzz in Champaign has been about "The Retention" – and understandably so, as Illinois brings back five of its eight rotation players from last season's Final Four run.
Illinois Fighting Illini News / Total Pro Sports / June 5
What Is Keaton Wagler’s GPA? A Look at the Illinois Guard’s Academic Record
They do not talk about college basketball enough in the pro league circle, which should not be the case for Keaton Wagler. Moving closer to the 2026 NBA
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.
Brad Underwood News / Yardbarker / May 14
Brad Underwood could stick with Illinois through 2036 because of new extension
The Illinois Fighting Illini like head basketball coach Brad Underwood, and they have plenty of reason to.
Illinois Fighting Illini News / Softball On SI / May 7
4 Candidates Illinois Softball Should Consider for Head Coach
The Illinois Fighting Illini parted ways with softball head coach Tyra Perry on Monday. Now, a national search for a new leader by Chief Sports Officer
College Football News / Yardbarker / April 13
Michigan trending after 4-star QB Kamden Lopati decommits from Illinois
Kamden Lopati had been committed to the Illinois Fighting Illini since July of 2025. Now, almost a year later, that's a commitment that doesn't hold.
Dan Hurley News / Larry Brown Sports / April 5
Dan Hurley got booed right after UConn beat Illinois in Final Four
UConn outlasted Illinois in a thrilling 71-62 contest that saw the Fighting Illini’s comeback fall short at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind.
Breaking News
Trending News
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
Popular Quizzes
Today's Latest News
MY ACCOUNT
SUBSCRIBE
ADVERTISE
JOBS
FAQ
PRIVACY POLICY COOKIE POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
PRIVACY POLICY COOKIE POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Copyright 2026 YB Media, LLC. All rights reserved.
By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.