Illinois Fighting Illini: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

How Illinois Basketball Can Win the 2026 Big Ten Tournament

On Friday, Illinois will begin its run at a Big Ten Tournament championship , needing just three wins to secure the title after it clinched a triple bye behind a 15-5 conference record.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

The One Team Illinois Should Want to Avoid in the Big Ten Tournament

At this stage of Illinois' 2025-26 season, the Illini should fear no foe. They are 23-7, having lost five games by four points or fewer and the other two to No.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / March 11

Has Illinois Already Secured a No. 2 Seed in the NCAA Tournament?

The NCAA Tournament selection committee always takes the Big Ten Tournament into account for seeding the Big Dance – or so it says. Rarely in the past

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Big Ten Network / March 10

Watch: W. Illinois at Illinois | HIGHLIGHTS | Big Ten Baseball | 03/10/20

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / March 10

Illinois Basketball’s Final Regular-Season Rankings: AP Poll, KenPom and NET

In anxiety-inducing fashion, Illinois slipped past Maryland in College Park on Sunday, escaping with a 78-72 victory to finish off its 2025-26 schedule

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

Illinois' Big Ten Tournament Seed Revealed: Breaking Down the Illini's Path

Following Nebraska’s overtime win against Iowa, the Big Ten regular-season standings have officially been cemented for the 2025-26 season – which means the conference tournament seeds have been finalized.

Brad Underwood News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / March 8

Brad Underwood Says Illinois Has No Late-Game Problem – Here's Why He's Wrong

Illinois’ 2025-26 regular season was undeniably impressive (24-7 overall and 15-5 in the Big Ten), but it would be difficult to refute the argument that the Illini underachieved.The potential of Brad Underwood’s club has been realized only on occasions – and rarely for 40 straight minutes.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / March 8

The Three Best Games of Illinois Basketball's 2025-26 Regular Season

With Illinois’ narrow escape at Maryland on Sunday afternoon – a much-too-close 78-72 win – the Illini's regular-season slate has officially come to a close.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / March 8

Social Media Reacts to Illinois Closing Out Regular Season With Win at Maryland

Illinois (24-7, 15-5 Big Ten) did not make Sunday's road matchup with Maryland look easy, but at this point in the season, style points matter a lot less than finding a way to win.

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

The Theme That Will Define Illinois Basketball's Postseason Success

In November, being dubbed a “high-ceiling team” is a compliment. The expectation at that juncture isn’t perfection. The growth opportunities all lie ahead for every squad at that stage of the season – meaning there is more than enough time for that potential to be realized.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Big Ten Network / March 6

Watch: Spotlighting Danny Pucino | Illinois Wrestling | On The Mat

Kylan Boswell News / Big Ten Network / March 6

Watch: Spotlighting Kylan Boswell | Illinois Basketball | The Journey

Watch: Michigan State vs. Illinois | HIGHLIGHTS | 2026 B1G Women's Basketball Tournament | 03/05/2026

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

Illinois Football Lands Four-Star Defensive Back: What It Means

Illinois coach Bret Bielem'a 2026 recruiting class features three four-star recruits and is ranked No. 24 in the nation, per ESPN, but his 2027 recruiting class could be shaping up as his best yet after the Illini landed another four-star recruit in defensive back Justin Johnson (Evanston, Illinois) on Wednesday.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Big Ten Network / March 5

Watch: Spotlighting Keaton Wagler | Illinois Basketball | The Journey

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Big Ten Network / March 3

Watch: Oregon at Illinois | HIGHLIGHTS | Big Ten Basketball | 03/03/2026

Built for March: Why Illinois Could Cut Down the Nets

After years of improvement and five straight NCAA Tournament appearances, the Illinois Fighting Illini are set to make a run during March Madness. With strong leadership under head coach Brad Underwood, elite playmaking at every position, and a deep bench, Illinois has a realistic chance to cut down the nets when it’s all said and done in April.