Illinois Fighting Illini: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Recruiting Surge: Quentin Coleman Commitment Sends Illinois Rising

Not since the class of 2022 (the Ty Rodgers class) has Brad Underwood and his staff brought in four U.S.-based high school prospects. Four years and a handful of exceptional international (as well as transfer portal) finds later, the Illini are back to that number in the class of 2026.

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Four-Star Guard Quentin Coleman Commits to Illinois – What to Know

Even in the thick of a Final Four run, Illinois is building towards its future. And given that the Illini are on the brink of losing one – and very likely

College Basketball News / Athlon Sports / April 3

Illinois Bringing Unexpected Calm To Final Four Stage Before UConn Clash

There is something refreshingly different about this Illinois Fighting Illini team, and it showed up most unexpectedly on Friday. While most programs are locked in film sessions or walking through every possible late-game scenario, Illinois players were sitting around playing Mario Kart.

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

Which Player Will Step Up to Carry Illinois Football's Defense?

Illinois is facing a lot of unknowns heading into the 2026 college football season: Can new quarterback Katin Houser replace Luke Altmyer's production?

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

5 Reasons Illinois Basketball is Built to Win Its First-Ever NCAA Title

Illinois is in the midst of its third four-game (or better) winning streak of the year – and this one has come at the most opportune time. With four victories in the NCAA Tournament, the Illini have secured a spot in the Final Four, where a 33-5 UConn team awaits them on Saturday night (5:09 p.m.

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

Experts All Make Same Pick for Illinois vs. UConn – And What They're Missing

Heading into Illinois’ Final Four showdown with UConn , the numbers – at least ESPN’s – lean ever so slightly in the Illini’s direction. The only two non-No.

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

Illinois' X-Factor vs. UConn: The Player Who Could Decide the Final Four

The 2025-26 season was up and down for Illinois wing Andrej Stojakovic – until the NCAA Tournament. Before the Big Dance tipped off, Stojakovic, a highly touted transfer from Cal, enjoyed stretches of dominance with the Illini (notably three straight games of 20 or more points early in the season) but also some duds.

College Basketball News / NCAA Basketball on ClutchPoints / April 3

UConn vs. Illinois bold predictions for March Madness Final Four clash

March Madness enters its final week for what’s been a wild 2026 tournament. UConn basketball delivered the most thrilling moment thanks to Braylon Mullins’ three with 0.3 left to beat Duke on Sunday.

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

3 Things to Watch When Illinois Faces UConn in NCAA Tournament Final Four

Illinois defeating Iowa in the Elite Eight was a breakthrough that coach Brad Underwood had pushed for over the past six seasons.But he has also spoken of his belief in Illinois winning a national championship.

College Basketball News / NCAA Basketball on ClutchPoints / April 2

Why Illinois basketball will win 2026 NCAA Tournament

Illinois basketball waited 21 years to redeem itself from the last Final Four appearance. The Illini would love to erase the memories of the 2005 National Championship game loss to North Carolina.

Brad Underwood News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / April 1

Brad Underwood Shares Keys for Illinois Ahead of UConn Final Four Showdown

Illinois (28-8) entered the NCAA Tournament as losers of five of its previous nine, but it flipped a switch in the Big Dance and rattled off four straight wins – and extremely convincing ones at that.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / April 1

What Would Count as Success for Illinois Football in 2026?

Illinois football is coming off its best two-season stretch since the turn of the century, winning 19 total games in 2024 and 2025, capped with wins in two high-profile bowl games.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Athlon Sports / April 1

Illinois' Keaton Wagler Announces Career News Before UConn Game

Keaton Wagler and the No. 3 seed Illinois Fighting Illini are preparing for a Final Four matchup against the No. 2 UConn Huskies. They're looking to stay hot, already picking up NCAA Tournament wins against the No.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / April 1

Brad Underwood Details the Unique Way Illinois Operates Like an NBA Franchise

In less than a decade, the college basketball world has been flipped upside down. For a head coach in the sport, there are two choices: adapt or lose. Illinois’ Brad Underwood has done the former.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Big Ten Network / March 31

Watch: Illinois St. at Illinois | HIGHLIGHTS | Big Ten Softball | 03/31/2026

College Basketball News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / April 1

Why Illinois vs UConn Final Four Will Be Different Than First Matchup

A lot can change over the course of a college basketball season, even for a Final Four team.That's certainly the case for Illinois and UConn, which squared off on Nov.

College Basketball News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / March 30

3 Reasons Illinois Will Beat UConn in the Final Four – And One Big Concern

Illinois, the No. 3 seed out of the South Region, and UConn, the No. 2 seed out of the East Region, have each survived and advanced through four rounds of NCAA Tournament action.

College Basketball News / NCAA Basketball on ClutchPoints / March 31

Biggest matchup UConn must exploit to take down Illinois in Final Four

Braylon Mullins and his place in NCAA Tournament history sparked Monday conversations involving UConn basketball. That epic 3-point basket with 0.3 left capped the epic comeback over Duke.

College Basketball News / Larry Brown Sports / March 29

Illinois star did not quite understand how to cut down the net

The Illinois Fighting Illini advanced to the Final Four on Saturday, and one of their players literally did not know how to celebrate. Freshman forward David Mirkovic did not seem to know what to do when presented with his chance to cut down the nets following the team’s 71-59 win over Iowa at Toyota Center in Houston, Tex.

Watch: Illinois advances to Final Four with narrow victory over Iowa

The Illinois Fighting Illini used hot second-half shooting to take down the Iowa Hawkeyes 71-59 on Saturday, punching their ticket to the Final Four. Iowa hit the ground running on both ends of the floor, jumping out to a 9-0 lead before Keaton Wagler finally put Illinois on the board.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Total Apex Sports / March 22

Illinois Fighting Illini Dominate VCU Rams Behind Andrej Stojakovic Brilliance to Advance to Sweet Sixteen

There would be no epic comeback this time around for the VCU Rams, as the Illinois Fighting Illini cruised to an easy 76-55 win in Greenville on Saturday night to secure a second trip to the Sweet Sixteen in the past three seasons.