Illinois Fighting Illini: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

College Basketball Experts Rank Illinois – Did They Get It Right?

The AP poll came out on Monday, and it had the Illini clocking in at their highest point of the calendar year: No. 11. But for our most avid followers here at Illinois on SI, you know we’re adamant believers in the meaning of the AP poll being generally overblown.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

How Illinois Basketball Can Survive - And Maybe Thrive - in Kylan Boswell's Absence

Illinois’ depth has been a hot topic of discussion in Champaign. But in reality, how often have the Illini actually displayed it? Zvonimir Ivisic , Ben

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / January 18

Illinois Basketball Moves in NET Rankings After Beating Minnesota

Brad Underwood routinely tailors Illinois’ non-conference schedule to test and challenge his roster, putting together a slate loaded with high-level matchup after high-level matchup in tough, NCAA Tournament-style venues.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / January 18

Three Observations From Illinois WBB's 74-71 Win Over Northwestern

It wasn’t pretty, it wasn’t efficient, and it certainly wasn’t stress-free – but it was a win, and they all count the same in the Big Ten standings. No.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Big Ten Network / January 18

Watch: Northwestern vs. Illinois | HIGHLIGHTS | Big Ten Women's Basketball | 01/18/26

Brad Underwood News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / January 18

Illinois' Brad Underwood Names Surprising X-Factor in Win Over Minnesota

Battling through screens. Switching on to bigger players. Making 6-foot-7 Cade Tyson miserable for a play and nearly forcing an air ball in the paint.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / January 18

Illinois Offers Four-Star Receiver and Pass-Catching Tight End – What It Means

Just like the majority of teams in college football, Illinois' focus in recent weeks has been on the transfer portal. But on Friday, Bret Bielema and his staff changed course and offered a pair of high school recruits.

Watch: Illinois at Minnesota | HIGHLIGHTS | Big Ten Men's Basketball | 01/17/2026

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / January 17

Joe Lunardi's ESPN Bracketology Projects Fairy-Tale Collision Course for Illinois

Illinois just keeps winning. Sure, during the Illini’s six-game win streak, there has been probably only one game that should have challenged them – at Iowa – but there’s something to be said about taking care of business in the Big Ten.

Brad Underwood News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / January 17

Brad Underwood's Simple (If Not Easy) Fix for Keeping Illinois' Top Scorers Happy

One word has become synonymous with Illinois basketball – particularly when it comes to its offensive attack – throughout the 2025-26 campaign: balance.

Preview: No. 25 Illinois WBB vs. Northwestern

After a tough road loss at Michigan, Illinois women's basketball is back home – and with little time to dwell on the result, and with even less margin for error in the follow-up.

Brad Underwood News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / January 16

Illinois Lands In-State 2027 Sharpshooter Mason Martin: What Does He Bring?

Illinois’ Brad Underwood is a man who knows what he wants. And his wish list generally consists of two must-haves: positional size and shooting – both of which the latest Illini commit has in spades.On Friday, Underwood and Illinois received a commitment from class of 2027 in-state wing Mason Martin.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / January 16

Three Observations From Illinois Women's Basketball's 85-69 Loss at Michigan

Road games in the Big Ten are never gentle, and a trip to Ann Arbor is especially unforgiving when Michigan is rolling. That reality hit the Illinois women’s basketball on Thursday night as the Illini fell 85-69 to the Wolverines at Crisler Center.

Watch: Illinois at Michigan | HIGHLIGHTS | Big Ten Women's Basketball | 01/15/2026

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / January 15

Illinois' Dominance During Win Streak Reflected in Bart Torvik Data

Nebraska, which knocked off Illinois in Champaign earlier this year, is 16-0 and 6-0 in Big Ten play. Purdue has won eight straight, is 16-1 overall and the only other college hoops club that still holds an unblemished Big Ten record.

Luke Altmyer 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

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.

Fred Hoiberg News / Yardbarker / December 13