Illinois Fighting Illini: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Final Four Is a 'Great Drug' – And Why Brad Underwood Thinks Illinois Can Have It Again

There is always the concern of a hangover after an intoxicating end-of-season moment in sports. That’s why repeat championships – whether a national title in college or a professional trophy – are so hard to accomplish.

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Illinois Basketball Makes Top 10 for 5-Star 2027 Guard King Gibson

Illinois continues to keep its foot on the gas on the recruiting trail. Brad Underwood and his crew, who have been almost exclusively linked to five-star prospects in the past few weeks, are in the mix for yet another standout member of the class of 2027.

Brad Underwood News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / August 27

Brad Underwood Names Illinois Freshman Summer Standouts – Including a 'Big Surprise'

Over the past few years, Illinois coach Brad Underwood and his staff have turned to the international waters and the transfer portal to build their rosters.

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

Illinois Football Countdown: 7 Thoughts Before the 2026 Season Opener

Just seven sleeps stand between us and Illinois’ 2026 season opener, which comes in Champaign against UAB (8 p.m. CT, BTN). Starting today (Thursday), we’ll share a few key thoughts, questions and/or predictions about the Illini each day leading up to kickoff.

College Basketball News / Busting Brackets / August 27

Illinois has one major problem standing between it and a national championship

Illinois should not lack offense during the 2026-27 college basketball season. The Fighting Illini finished last season ranked second nationally in offensive efficiency and return enough experienced talent to produce at a similar level.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / August 26

How Illinois' New Defense Has Helped Boost a Big Weakness From the 2025 Offense

A year ago, Illinois’ offensive line – billed as a strength of the offense – proved to be a debilitating weakness. The Illini returned all five starters from 2024, yet they wound up yielding 32 sacks and pushed the ground game to just 3.9 yards per carry.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / August 25

Illinois Four-Star Commit Quinton Kitt to Make Official Visit to Champaign

Last Thanksgiving, East Peoria forward Quinton Kitt, who had just entered his junior season, announced his commitment to Illinois . Although Kitt had been to the school's Champaign campus – he took an unofficial visit in August 2025 – he pledged to the Illini despite never taking an official visit.

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

Illinois' Zavier Zens Showcases College Readiness in Newcomer Highlights

The final edition of Illinois’ summer classic, the “Newcomer First Look," was released on Thursday, starring freshman wing Zavier Zens. As always, the usual disclaimer applies: These are highlights – all of which have come months before the Illini season opener.

Bret Bielema News / Big Ten Network / August 22

Watch: Bret Bielema's wholesale defensive overhaul at Illinois | Illinois Football

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Big Ten Network / August 22

Watch: Caden Fagan’s move to tight end | Illinois Football

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / August 21

Ranking Every Game on Illinois Basketball's 2026-27 Non-Conference Schedule

On Friday, Illinois released its full 2026-27 non-conference slate, which wound up filling out the maximum number of allotted contests (12). The Illini took full advantage of the NCAA allowing an extra game for each school next season: including Big Ten play, the Illini will have 32 regular-season outings.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / August 20

Illinois Basketball Offers Nation's No. 1 2028 Power Forward Bentley Lusakueno

At this point, we know the drill when it comes to Illinois basketball's recruiting : coach Brad Underwood and his staff prize positional size and shooting.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / August 19

Illinois' Ca'Lil Valentine Makes Doak Walker Watch List – Is 1,000 Yards Within Reach?

On Tuesday, the Doak Walker Award preseason watch list was released, and Illinois junior running back Ca’Lil Valentine was among the names included. As we've already established at Illinois on SI, we aren’t the biggest backers of preseason lists, but they do offer a general idea of a player's potential.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / August 12

Breaking Down Stefan Vaaks' and Ethan Brown's Illinois Basketball Summer Highlights

As Illinois continues to release its 2026 newcomer highlights, we get a glimpse – although it is a look at the carefully picked best plays – into the performance of new players in Champaign.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / August 12

Should Illinois Basketball Add a Fifth-Year Player for 2026-27?

As of mid-August, Illinois has a roster count of 14 players. Back in late June, Illini coach Brad Underwood confirmed that the Illini have “a roster [spot] open if we need it." As a projected national title contender, Illinois doesn’t exactly need to add another player.

Samari Collier News / HBCUs on SI / August 9

Samari Collier Commits to DeSean Jackson and Delaware State After NCAA Eligibility TRO

Earlier this spring, DeSean Jackson said Delaware State's roster was about 80 percent set. Now, he may have found the last piece in Samari Collier, who joins the team with a temporary restraining order.

College Football News / The Spun / July 29

Paul Finebaum Responds To Bret Bielema Accusing SEC Of Living In Past

Bret Bielema caused quite the stir with yesterday's comments at Big Ten Media Days where the Fighting Illini coach accused the Big Ten's rival conference of living in the past.

Bret Bielema News / College Sports Only / July 29

Illinois Head Coach Brett Bielema Takes Shot At SEC

The beef between the Big Ten & SEC keeps getting juicier. Illinois head coach Bret Bielema criticized the SEC at Big Ten Media Days, claiming the conference

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.

Illinois Fighting Illini 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' Brad Underwood gets contract extension through 2032

UConn's Dan Hurley puts a price on being a college basketball contender in NIL era

NCAA Tournament expansion a sacrifice mid-majors forced to make in rev-share era

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

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Softball On SI / May 4

Illinois Softball Parts Ways with Head Coach Tyra Perry

The University of Illinois announced on Monday that it was parting ways with the softball program's head coach, Tyra Perry. Perry spent 11 years at the helm of the Fighting Illini and signed a contract in 2023 that extended her through the 2027 season.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Athlon Sports / April 17

Illinois Pushing for $1.5 Million Guard in College Basketball Transfer Portal

The Illinois Fighting Illini fell just short of their first national championship appearance since the 2004-05 season. Entering this year's NCAA Tournament as the South Region's No.