Illinois Fighting Illini: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema explains why Tennessee didn't want to practice at Vanderbilt ahead of the Music City Bowl

The Tennessee Vols arrived in Nashville shortly after Christmas to continue preparations for their upcoming matchup against the Illinois Fighting Illini in the Music City Bowl.

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The Quiz of the Day

Preview: Illinois Women's Basketball vs. Purdue (Game 13)

The Illinois women’s basketball team (11-1, 1-0 Big Ten) put together a strong non-conference start, and now the Illini will try to carry that momentum straight into the grind of Big Ten play.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / December 27

How High Did Illinois Basketball Climb in ESPN's Latest Top 25 Rankings?

Not even two months into the season, there have already been a handful of occasions when Illinois fans may have experienced deja vu. Yet another Illini team with so much promise, and yet another missed opportunity when the pieces weren't put together.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / December 27

Preview: No. 20 Illinois vs. Southern

Most of us will never know the curse of overwhelming talent – and even fewer among us are willing to spare an ounce of sympathy for those afflicted by it.

College Basketball News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / December 25

Illinois' Unscripted Offense Is Operating – and Delivering – Exactly as Intended

There have been questions about Illinois’ offense all season. Where are the sets? Why isn’t there more choreographed off-ball movement? Shouldn’t a team this talented be running something that looks a little more … organized?

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

Illinois Projected as Top Seed in Latest ESPN Bracketology From Joe Lunardi

December Bracketology is always a strange mix of overreaction and quiet truth, but for Illinois, Joe Lunardi’s latest projection feels grounded in something real.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / December 23

What Illinois’ Return to the KenPom Top 10 Says After Missouri Rout

Even in the aftermath of Illinois’ best wins of the 2025-26 campaign (Texas Tech and Tennessee), we felt it was necessary to highlight the Illini woes – whether they be defensive shortcomings or letdowns on the glass – as they could come back to bite Brad Underwood’s club down the road.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / December 23

Social Media Erupts After Illinois' Braggin' Rights Win Over Missouri

Sometimes the pieces just fall into place.That's how it felt watching Illinois in a 91-48 annihilation of Missouri on Monday at the Enterprise Center in St.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / December 23

Three Instant Observations From Illinois Basketball's 91-48 Win Over Missouri

All the theoretical takes about Illinois basketball's talent and potential this season have given fans reason to stay locked in and hopeful about the emergence of a national contender in Champaign, but the reality had fallen short.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Big Ten Network / December 22

Watch: Illinois vs. Missouri | Highlights | Big Ten Men's Basketball | 12/22/25

Brad Underwood News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / December 21

Would Illinois and Brad Underwood Add Former G League Players?

College basketball is weird right now. Very weird. At the start of the 2024-25 season, the best player in the sport was 17 years old. Duke’s Cooper Flagg, who ultimately won the prestigious Naismith Player of the Year award, was supposed to be a high school senior.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Big Ten Network / December 19

Watch: Illinois vs. Jackson St. | Highlights | Big Ten Women's Basketball | 12/19/25

College Basketball News / Total Apex Sports / December 19

Illinois Fighting Illini Add Forward For 2026-27 Season

The Illinois Fighting Illini haven’t taken the floor since last Saturday against Nebraska, but that hasn’t stopped them from trying to improve their program.

Vernon Woodward III News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / December 18

Illinois Defensive Back Vernon Woodward III Enters Transfer Portal: What It Means

Vernon Woodward III isn't the first Illinois player to enter the transfer portal, and he won't be the last. However, Woodward, a freshman defensive back, is the most recent Illini member to announce his plans for the portal after confirming the news posted by 247Sports' Chris Hummer on his X social media account on Wednesday.