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Feb 15, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts during the second half against the Indiana Hoosiers at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Illinois Basketball Struggles on Defense in Cincinnati Win – And Why We Aren't Worried

The Illini surrendered a whopping 96 points to the Bearcats, but here's why that isn't at all indicative of what's to come

Jackson Langendorf

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12 Hours Ago

Latest News

Analyzing Illinois Basketball's Highlights From Exhibition Win Over Cincinnati

5 Key Stats From Illinois Basketball's Exhibition Win Over Cincinnati

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

3 Illinois Basketball Storylines to Watch vs. Cincinnati

What to Know About Illinois Basketball's Exhibition Opponent Cincinnati

Illinois Basketball's David Mirkovic Lands in First Round of 2027 NBA Mock Draft

Illinois Basketball to Host 2029 Forward Bronx Ganaway in Unofficial Visit

Projecting Illinois Basketball's Starting Lineup Without David Mirkovic

Key Takeaways From Illinois Basketball Landing in KenPom Preseason Top 5

Illini Featured Stories

Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood motions to his team during the first half of the NCAA men's basketball game against the Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus on Dec. 9, 2025.

Brad Underwood Revisits Illinois' Last Three Losses to UConn – But Isn't Backing Down

Nov 14, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood greets the crowd before the tip of the game with the Colgate Raiders at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

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

Jan 8, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Jake Davis (15) applauds his team’s performance during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

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

Oct 10, 2026; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Javari Barnett (24) runs through a hole in the line against the Michigan State Spartans during the first quarter at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images

Social Media Reacts to Illinois' Season-Changing Win Over Michigan State

Football

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Oct 3, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema before a game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Gies Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Illinois Football Lands Top JUCO Interior Offensive Lineman Harry Maileoi

Michigan State quarterback Alessio Milivojevic (11) fires a pass during the second quarter of their game against Wisconsin at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin, on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026.

First Look at Illinois Week 6 Opponent: Michigan State Spartans

Oct 3, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Purdue Boilermakers defensive end Trey Smith (23) hangs onto the jersey of Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Katin Houser (4) as he runs with the ball during the second half at Gies Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Social Media Reacts to a Horrific Illinois Football Loss to Purdue on Homecoming

Oct 3, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini defensive lineman Demetrius John (54) tries to get a hand on Purdue Boilermakers running back Fame Ijeboi (2) during the first half at Gies Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Illinois Nightmare Scenario Unleashed in Home Loss to Purdue – What Now?

Sep 19, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema walks off the field after a 48-10 win over the Southern Illinois Salukis at Gies Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

What to Expect From Illinois Defense Without Bobby Hauck Calling Plays

Sep 26, 2026; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers linebacker Charles Correa (5) reacts ahead of linebacker Jojo Hayden (0) after an interception in the third quarter against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

First Look at Illinois Football Week 5 Opponent: Purdue Boilermakers

Sep 12, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema walks off the field after a 31-27 loss to the Duke Blue Devils at Gies Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Bret Bielema Reveals How Bobby Hauck's Illinois Exit Unfolded

Sep 3, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema shakes hands with the crowd before an NCAA game against UAB at Gies Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Bret Bielema Offers Encouraging Illinois Injury Update Ahead of Purdue

Basketball

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Apr 4, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) is fouled by Connecticut Huskies guard Silas Demary Jr. (2) in the second half during a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Illinois Basketball's David Mirkovic Gives Injury Update, Details His Summer

Oct 4, 2026; Honolulu, Hawaii, USA; (Editors Notes: Caption Correction) Los Angeles Clippers guard Keaton Wagler (1) dribbles during the first half against the Golden State Warriors at Bankoh Arena at the Stan Sheriff Center. Mandatory Credit: Michelle Bir-Imagn Images

As Good as Illinois Fans Hoped Keaton Wagler Could Be, He May Be Even Better

Michigan State's Divine Ugochukwu, right, meets with Illinois' head coach Brad Underwood before the game on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.

Illinois or Michigan State: Who Stands Atop the Big Ten Entering 2026-27?

Jan 24, 2026; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Andrej Stojakovic (2) dribbles the ball during the first half against Purdue on Jan 24, 2026, in West Lafayette, Indiana, at Mackey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images

Is Andrej Stojakovic Poised for the Illinois Year 2 Leap in 2026-27?

Mar 20, 2025; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Jason Jakstys (31) shoots the ball during NCAA Tournament First Round Practiceat Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

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

Jan 3, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Providence Friars guard Stefan Vaaks (7) after scoring in the second half against the St. John's Red Storm at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

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

Apr 4, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts after a play against the UConn Huskies during the first half of a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

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

Dec 6, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood yells to his team against the Tennessee Volunteersduring the first half at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Brad Underwood Expects New Defensive Strengths for Illinois in 2026-27

Recruiting

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Sunnsylope forward Darius Wabbington (21) drives on St Mary’s forward Cam Williams (1) during the Open Boys Championship game at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix on March 7, 2026.

Illinois Basketball Lands in 2027 5-Star Darius Wabbington's Top 3

Dec 9, 2025; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts to a call during the first half against the Ohio State Buckeyes Value City Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

Illinois Misses on Another 5-Star 2027 Guard: Are the Illini Out of Options?

Feb 27, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood greets the crowd before the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Illinois Basketball 5-Star Targets See Same Appealing Promise in Champaign

Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood watches as his team plays March 21, 2026 during the first half of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament second round game against VCU at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina.

Illinois to Host Benjamin Berrouet: Can the Illini Land Multiple 5-Star Prospects?

Central Catholic quarterback Owen Herrick steps back in the pocket during the PIAA Class 6A football championship game at Cumberland Valley High School, Friday, Dec. 6, 2025, in Mechanicsburg, Pa.

Illinois Football Lands Top-30 2028 Quarterback Owen Herrick

Apr 4, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts against the Connecticut Huskies in the second half during a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Is Illinois' Freshman Class Poised to Be the Best of the Brad Underwood Era?

Sunnyslope Vikings forward Darius Wabbington (21) celebrates their 61-57 win over the Millennium Tigers at Sunnyslope High School on Jan. 21, 2026.

5-Star Illinois Target Darius Wabbington Moves Up Visit to Champaign

Jan 8, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood greets the crowd before he first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Illinois Basketball Makes List of Top-5 2027 Recruit AJ Williams

Olympic Sports

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Brandon Dang competes in the pommel horse on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024 during the Winter Cup Men s Day 2 Competition at the Kentucky International Convention Center.

Illinois Men's Gymnast Brandon Dang Wins National Title

Jeremy Hunter was named Illinois wrestling's permanent head coach on Thursday after serving 25 years as an assistant for the program and assuming the role of acting head coach in December.

Illinois Wrestling Names Jeremy Hunter Permanent Head Coach

Jun 1, 2024; Hamilton, Ontario, CAN; Adrien Dumont de Chassart hits his tee shot at the seventh hole during the third round of the RBC Canadian Open golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

Former Illini Adrien Dumont de Chassart Wins Event With Record-Breaking Round

Mar 22, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Lucas Byrd of the Illinois Fighting Illini celebrates win against Drake Ayala of the Iowa Hawkeyes (not pictured) during the Division I Men's Wrestling Championship held at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Defending National Champ Lucas Byrd Will Return to Illinois for Senior Season

May 23, 2025; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Nick Hardy plays his shot from the ninth tee during the second round of the Charles Schwab Challenge golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-Imagn Images

Illinois Golf Alum Nick Hardy Fires Another Steady Round at 3M Open

Feb 25, 2024; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Shauna Green watches her team play the Iowa Hawkeyes during the second half at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-Imagn Images

Illinois Women's Basketball Offers Dynamic Freshman Daughter of Former Illini

Mar 22, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Lucas Byrd of the Illinois Fighting Illini celebrates win against Drake Ayala of the Iowa Hawkeyes (not pictured) during the Division I Men's Wrestling Championship held at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Illinois Wrestling Coach Mike Poeta Receives Contract Extension

Jul 6, 2025; Silvis, Illinois, USA; Brian Campbell lines up a putt on the 9th hole during the final round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

Illinois Golf Alum Brian Campbell Wins the John Deere Classic

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