Illinois Fighting Illini: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

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.

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The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

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

Illinois Fighting Illini 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.