Illinois Fighting Illini: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

College basketball games today: Kentucky, Illinois and Arizona headline 18-game Friday exhibition schedule

College basketball fans have plenty to watch Friday, October 23, as an entertaining exhibition schedule features 18 games across the country. Several nationally prominent programs will face challenging opponents before the regular season begins, including Kentucky hosting Texas Tech and Illinois welcoming Baylor.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

Illinois Basketball 2026-27 Scouting Report: Jake Davis

In the days leading up to Illinois' Nov. 2 regular-season opener at Champaign's State Farm Center, Illinois on SI will share a scouting report for each Illini player on the team's official 2026-27 roster.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 22

Brad Underwood Previews Illinois vs. Baylor, Updates David Mirkovic's Status

Illinois basketball coach Brad Underwood on Thursday previewed his club’s upcoming exhibition matchup against Baylor. The Illini have already played one exhibition game – a 105-96 win at Cincinnati – and Friday's outing against the Bears (7 p.m.

College Football News / Oregon Ducks on SI / October 22

Oregon vs. Illinois: Preview and Betting Odds

The Oregon Ducks’ margin for error is slim as they prepare for a Big Ten road matchup against the Illinois Fighting Illini. The 2026 season has been turbulent for the Ducks, to say the least.

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

Illinois Basketball 2026-27 Scouting Report: Ethan Brown

David Mirkovic News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 21

Season of Expectations: Illinois' David Mirkovic Named AP Preseason All-American

On Wednesday, the 2026-27 preseason All-America team was released by the Associated Press . Illinois’ David Mirkovic was one of five players on the squad (this isn't one of those laundry-list preseason awards on which seemingly every other player in the country appears).

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

Illinois Football 2026 Scouting Report: Quarterback Michael Clayton II

Illinois on SI is delivering scouting reports for each of the key players on the Illini football team's 2026 roster. Below, we present our breakdown of freshman quarterback Michael Clayton II.

Brad Underwood News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 20

Brad Underwood Quotes to Know After Illinois' Exhibition Win Over Cincinnati

After Illinois took down Cincinnati 105-96 in its first exhibition matchup of the 2026-27 season (two more remain on the docket), Illini coach Brad Underwood addressed the media.

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

Analyzing Freshman Ethan Brown's Unexpected Start in Illinois' Win at Cincinnati

The shocker of the night in Illinois’ exhibition win over Cincinnati had nothing to do with the final score or who came out on top. Instead, it was freshman Ethan Brown getting the start over standout transfer Stefan Vaaks (whom many, including us, expected to land in the Illini's starting five ).

College Basketball News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 19

Illinois Basketball No. 3 in AP Preseason Poll – Should the Illini Be Even Higher?

The 2026-27 preseason AP poll was released on Monday, with Illinois landing at No. 3 in the country – trailing only No. 1 Florida and No. 2 Duke. UConn, which knocked off the Illini in the Final Four last season and is on the docket in early December , was slotted at No.

College Football News / Oregon Ducks on SI / October 19

Oregon vs. Illinois Betting Odds Come With Warning Sign for the Ducks

After a narrow 17-14 win over the Nebraska Cornhuskers at home in Autzen Stadium, the Ducks head on the road to start a crucial lineup of games that will determine Oregon's fate when it comes to making the postseason.

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

Analyzing Illinois Basketball's Highlights From Exhibition Win Over Cincinnati

Illinois took down Cincinnati 105-96 in an exhibition game on Saturday. It was our first look at the 2026-27 Illini against an opponent. Unfortunately, that look was no more than a peek through a cracked door.

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

Brad Underwood's Key Quotes Ahead of Illinois Basketball vs. Cincinnati

On Friday morning, coach Brad Underwood addressed the media ahead of Illinois’ first exhibition matchup of the 2026-27 season – which takes place on Saturday at Cincinnati.

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

Illinois Basketball to Host 2029 Forward Bronx Ganaway in Unofficial Visit

All of the recruiting attention for Illinois basketball has centered around the 2027 and 2028 classes (the former of which hasn’t been as successful as some would have hoped ).

Katin Houser News / ESPN / October 14

Illinois QB Houser out 4-6 weeks after procedure on throwing hand

Illinois starting QB Katin Houser will miss four to six weeks after undergoing a procedure on his throwing hand, coach Bret Bielema announced Wednesday.

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

Reactions to Illinois Basketball's Latest Practice Highlights as Season Nears

Illinois basketball’s social media team on Sunday offered “a little taste of what’s to come," and it’s safe to say that if it was the appetizer, Illini Nation will be eagerly awaiting the full-course meal.

Brad Underwood News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 12

Brad Underwood Explains Why Jake Davis is 'Invaluable' to Illinois Basketball

When Jake Davis came to Champaign on the heels of a 9.0-points-per-game freshman year on a sub-.500 Mercer team, some observers – including some of us at Illinois on SI – were scratching their heads.

Katin Houser News / ESPN / October 10

Illinois QB Houser out indefinitely with broken hand

Illinois quarterback Katin Houser will be out indefinitely after leaving Saturday's 38-37 win over Michigan State with a left hand injury, coach Bret Bielema said.

Jason Jakstys News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / October 7

Illinois' Jason Jakstys 'Does Everything Right,' But Can He Find the Rotation?

After suffering a blood clot in his shoulder in January , Illinois forward Jason Jakstys was sidelined for the remainder of the 2025-26 season. He wound up appearing in just nine games and averaging 5.3 minutes in those outings.

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

Illinois Football Lands Top JUCO Interior Offensive Lineman Harry Maileoi

Illinois football coach Bret Bielema made it a point of emphasis to heavily recruit the junior college ranks during the offseason. The Illini signed six JUCO prospects last season, and on Sunday they landed their first junior college prospect of this recruiting cycle in offensive lineman Harry Maileoi.

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

Illinois' Brad Underwood on Transfer Stefan Vaaks' Progression – And His Next Step

Illinois basketball, which has accessed the portal at times during Brad Underwood's tenure with the program, elected to add only one transfer to the mix in the 2026 offseason.

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

Illinois Misses on 5-Star Darius Wabbington to Big Ten Rival: Time to Be Concerned?

Close but no cigar… yet again for Brad Underwood and his staff. High-priority target Darius Wabbington picked Indiana on Tuesday, over Illinois and Arizona.

NFL News / Yardbarker / August 28

Commanders fans could soon turn on HC Dan Quinn

Commanders fans may turn on HC Dan Quinn after alarming preseason loss to Ravens

Dan Quinn can call Washington’s 41-3 loss to Baltimore meaningless because it happened in the preseason. Commanders fans may soon arrive with pitchforks if the regular season confirms what Friday’s 38-point humiliation appeared to reveal.

Commanders should be concerned after pathetic showing at joint practice

Dan Quinn calls out Commanders after unacceptable preseason showing

Jayden Daniels’ lone drive exposes Commanders’ greatest concern

NFL roster cuts expose flaws in league's approach to player safety

The '200-passing yards in first 20 NFL games' quiz

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.