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Illinois Fighting Illini coach Brad Underwood speaks during a press conference ahead of the first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

3 Things to Watch When Illinois Plays VCU in the NCAA Tournament Round of 32

The No. 3-seeded Illini face an upset-minded No. 11 VCU team that defeated North Carolina in overtime in the first round

Jack Ankony

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12 Hours Ago

Latest News

David Mirkovic Makes Illinois Basketball History In NCAA Tournament Win Over Penn

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First Look at Illinois' NCAA Tournament Second-Round Opponent: VCU Rams

Why Tomislav Ivisic Could Be the X-Factor for Illinois Against VCU

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Why Kylan Boswell's First-Round Defense Signals Major Upside for Illinois

Illini Featured Stories

Mar 19, 2026; Greenville, SC, USA; Penn Quakers guard AJ Levine (0) dribbles past Illinois Fighting Illini center Tomislav Ivisic (13) in the second half of a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Social Media Reacts to Illinois' Rout of Penn in the NCAA Tournament

Mar 19, 2026; Greenville, SC, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) dribbles the ball against the Penn Quakers in the first half of a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

3 Observations From Illinois' 105-70 Blowout of Penn in the NCAA Tournament

Mar 8, 2026; College Park, Maryland, USA; ]Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) looks to pass during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

ESPN Ranks NCAA Tournament's Top Players: Where Illinois' Keaton Wagler Lands

Illinois Fighting Illini coach Brad Underwood against the Indiana Hoosiers at State Farm Center.

Should Illinois Root for North Carolina or VCU in the NCAA Tournament?

Football

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Feb 28, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer (QB03) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Which NFL Teams Make the Most Sense for Illinois' Top Outgoing Players?

Sep 20, 2025; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema walks onto the field prior to the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

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

Oct 4, 2025; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema watches warm ups before the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

Illinois Football Adds Robby Hauck, Mike Linehan to Coaching Staff: What It Means

Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) throws the ball during the 2025 Music City Bowl at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., on Dec. 30, 2025.

How to Watch Luke Altmyer and Other Illinois Alums at NFL Draft Combine

Oct 4, 2025; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema watches warm ups before the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

Four Potential Illinois Football Signees Schedule Official Visits: What It Means

Nov 22, 2025; Missoula, MT, USA; Montana Grizzlies head coach Bobby Hauck looks on during the first half against the Montana State Bobcats at Washington-Grizzly Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Thomas Shroyer-Imagn Images

What Can Illinois Football Expect From Bobby Hauck's Defense?

Illinois coach Bret Bielema during the Music City Bowl against Tennessee in an NCAA college football game on Dec. 30, 2025, in Nashville, Tennessee.

Illinois Offers Three-Star Recruit, Illinois State Champion: What It Means

Nov 1, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Kaden Feagin (3) is pursued by Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive back Jett Elad (9) during the second half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Illinois Football's Kaden Feagin to Move to Tight End in 2026: A Win-Win?

Basketball

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Mar 8, 2026; College Park, Maryland, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) celebrates with center Zvonimir Ivisic (44) during the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

KenPom Reveals Illinois’ NCAA Title Chances – Better Than You Think?

Mar 18, 2026; Greenville, SC, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Tomislav Ivisic (13) shoots the ball during a practice session ahead of the first round of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Staff Picks: Who Wins No. 3 Seed Illinois vs No. 14 Seed Penn?

Penn Quakers forward Ethan Roberts (23) dribbles against the Villanova Wildcats at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

How Injury to Penn's Ethan Roberts Affects Illinois in the NCAA Tournament

Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood against the Indiana Hoosiers at State Farm Center.

3 Things to Watch When Illinois Faces Penn in the NCAA Tournament

Feb 4, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood prepares his game plan before tip-off against the Northwestern Wildcats at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

5 Key Stats That Could Define Illinois Basketball's 2026 NCAA Tournament Run

Illinois wing Andrej Stojakovic (2) drives on Wisconsin's John Blackwell (25) in the Illini's 91-88 overtime loss to the Badgers in last week's Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals at the United Center in Chicago.

How to Watch Illinois vs. Penn in the NCAA Tournament

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

College Basketball Experts Reveal Illinois' 2026 NCAA Tournament Predictions

Xavier Musketeers guard All Wright (3) handles the ball in the first half of the NCAA basketball game at the Cintas Center in Cincinnati.

Former Illinois Target Plans to Enter Transfer Portal Again – Time to Reconnect?

Recruiting

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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

Illinois 2026 Target Boyuan Zhang Skyrockets Up Recruiting Rankings

Feb 15, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Indiana Hoosiers guard Lamar Wilkerson (3) keeps the ball from Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) during the second half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

A Special Scout Team Player Helped Illinois Prepare for Indiana's Lamar Wilkerson

Sep 27, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema gives players a hand after a 34-32 win against the Southern California Trojans at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Illinois Football Flips Jacob Harvey, Signs Another Receiver – What It Means

Jan 29, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts during the second half against the Washington Huskies at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Illinois Basketball Extends Offer to Explosive Five-Star Guard: What It Means

Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema walks across the field as the team arrives prior to the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Gies Memorial Stadium in Champaign on Oct. 11, 2025.

Illinois Lands Son of Former NFL Vet, Offers Gifted Edge Rusher – What It Means

Oct 4, 2025; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema watches warm ups before the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

Illinois Football Offers Four-Star Linebacker, Three Others – What It Means

Jul 22, 2025; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Illinois head coach Bret Bielema speaks to the media during the Big Ten NCAA college football media days at Mandalay Bay Resort. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images

Illinois Football Offers Fast-Rising Edge Rusher From Florida

Dec 30, 2025; Nashville, TN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema hoist the trophy with Doug from Liberty Mutual against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Illinois Football Offers Florida Quarterback and Texas Linebacker – What It Means

Olympic Sports

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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

Jul 25, 2024; Blaine, Minnesota, USA; Nick Hardy hits his tee shot on the tenth hole during the first round of the 3M Open golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Former Illinois Golfer Nick Hardy Shoots Another Low Round to Close 3M Open

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

May 23, 2025; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Nick Hardy watches 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's Max Herendeen and Alum Nick Hardy Deliver in 3M Open First Round

North Fort Myers resident John Berg has collected putters, drivers and irons in Illinois, the Miami area, Lake Okeechobee and now North Fort Myers.

Fnp 012321 Rr Nf Golf Collector003

Illinois Golf Rising Star Max Herendeen Set to Make PGA Tour Debut

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