Illinois Fighting Illini: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Preview: No. 16 Illinois at No. 19 Iowa

It's time for No. 16 Illinois (12-3, 3-1 Big Ten) to put its seemingly new and improved defense to the test against No. 19 Iowa on its home floor Sunday at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City (11 a.m.

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Preview: Illinois WBB vs. Penn State

Illinois women’s basketball (13-3, 3-2 Big Ten) will head back on the road for a Big Ten matchup against Penn State on Sunday (2 p.m. CT, BTN) looking to reset after a challenging stretch in the schedule.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / January 9

Two More Illinois Football Players Hit the Transfer Portal – What It Means

The transfer portal opened on Jan. 2 and doesn't close until Jan. 16, but if you thought the portal would slow down after an initial, college football-wide

Watch: Rutgers at Illinois | HIGHLIGHTS | Big Ten Men's Basketball | 01/08/2026

Watch: Ohio State at Illinois | HIGHLIGHTS | Big Ten Women's Basketball | 01/07/2026

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / January 7

EvanMiya Tabs Illinois' Keaton Wagler as Top-5 Freshman, David Mirkovic Close Behind

Heading into every college basketball season, there’s a buzz of excitement surrounding the freshman class. The 2025-26 campaign was no different, and many even believed this year’s freshman class had the most overall firepower at the top of any in quite some time.

WNBA News / Swish Appeal / January 7

The Illinois Fighting Illini look to prove themselves against the No. 19 Ohio State Buckeyes

The Illinois Fighting Illini (13-2; 3-1 Big Ten) will be put to the test this Wednesday when they take on the No. 19 Ohio State Buckeyes (13-2; 3-1 Big Ten).

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / January 6

The Secret to Illinois Basketball's Elite Transition Defense

Illinois’ defense has been questionable at times in the 2025-26 season, although it appears over the past few contests that a new chapter is currently unfolding, as the Illini have been locking down on that end since the Nebraska loss.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / January 5

Illinois Leaps Ahead, Big Ten Dominates in Latest AP College Basketball Poll

Fourteen games into its season, lllinois basketball finally appears to be finding its footing. The general expectation was that the Illini would need some

Kylan Boswell News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / January 4

Are We Undervaluing the Impact of Illinois Basketball's Kylan Boswell?

Illinois at SI has drilled home this point all season long: Few college basketball teams, if any, boast the offensive firepower and balance that the Illini does.

Watch: Illinois at Michigan State | HIGHLIGHTS | Big Ten Women's Basketball | 1/4/2026

Watch: Illinois vs. Penn State | HIGHLIGHTS | Big Ten Men's Basketball | 01/03/26

Brad Underwood News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / January 3

Illinois' Brad Underwood Pinpoints the Key to Success in Big Ten Play

The Big Ten slate is not for the weak. The never-ending grind wears on even the toughest teams, stripping away much of a club’s mental and physical capacities during the months of January and February.

College Football News / Larry Brown Sports / December 31

Illinois QB Luke Altmyer runs over a referee during Music City Bowl

Luke Altmyer left a referee with tire marks all over his face during Tuesday’s bowl game. The senior quarterback Altmyer and Illinois squared off against Tennessee in the Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl.

College Football News / Yardbarker / December 30

Illinois staves off Tennessee on walk-off field goal to win Music City Bowl

The win is the second straight bowl win for Bret Bielema and Illinois.

The 25 greatest players in SEC football history

The 'College nicknames that don't end in s' quiz

College Football News / Athlon Sports / December 30

Tennessee vs. Illinois Prediction: Music City Bowl Preview

College football’s postseason continues on Tuesday evening with a Big Ten-SEC clash in Nashville, as Tennessee and Illinois meet in the Music City Bowl.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / CFB-HQ on SI / December 29

Tennessee vs. Illinois prediction: Who wins the Music City Bowl, and why?

The latest offering from college football bowl season brings us a notable SEC vs. Big Ten clash from Nashville as Tennessee and Illinois face off in the 2025 Music City Bowl game.

Bret Bielema News / A to Z Sports / December 29

Illinois HC Bret Bielema accidentally told a lie about Tennessee ahead of matchup against the Vols in the Music City Bowl

The Tennessee Vols and the Illinois Fighting Illini will face off on Tuesday in Nashville in the Music City Bowl. Coaches from both programs met with the media on Monday to preview the game.

Bret Bielema News / A to Z Sports / December 28

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.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / A to Z Sports / December 18

Tennessee is trying to swipe a QB recruit from Illinois before facing the Fighting Illini in the Music City Bowl

The Tennessee Vols and the Illinois Fighting Illini will meet in the Music City Bowl on December 30 in Nashville. This will be the first ever matchup between the two schools, and it'll be the Vols' fourth appearance in the Music City Bowl.