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Nov 1, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema before an NCAA game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Illinois' Bret Bielema Takes Another Shot at SEC: 'They Want to Live in 2005 Forever'

The Illini head man doubled down on his recent targeting of the SEC, but what exactly was the implication?

Jackson Langendorf

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3 Hours Ago

Latest News

Bret Bielema Reveals Projected Illinois Offensive Line at Media Days: Why It Matters

Big Ten Small Forward Power Rankings: Andrej Stojakovic or Pryce Sandfort at No. 1?

Illinois Football's Three Toughest Games in 2026 Will Define the Season

Big Ten Shooting Guard 2026-27 Power Rankings: Is Quentin Coleman in the Mix?

Bret Bielema Takes Jab at Nick Saban in Next Chapter of Big Ten-SEC Debate

Illinois Basketball to Host Five-Star 2028 Recruit Dylan Betts for Unofficial Visit

Illinois Sets Visit With Five-Star 2027 Guard NaVorro Bowman Jr.

Illinois Basketball Offers Class of 2028 No. 1 Prospect AJ Williams

Former Illini NBA Summer League Grades: Keaton Wagler, Others Earn Final Marks

Illini Featured Stories

Jan 17, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood before the first half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Illinois Recruiting: 2027 Target to Schedule Visit, 2028 Prospect Makes EYBL History

Aug 29, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema before a game with the Western Illinois Leathernecks at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

ESPN's FPI Predicts Every Illinois Football Game in 2026: Agree or Disagree?

Feb 8, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood looks on during the first half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Williams Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Illinois Enters Race for Versatile 2028 Five-Star Benjamin Berrouet: How He'd Fit

Dec 2, 2025; Providence, Rhode Island, USA; Providence Friars guard Stefan Vaaks (7) dribbles the ball during the first half against the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights at Amica Mutual Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images

Big Ten Point Guard Power Rankings for 2026-27: Is Illinois' Stefan Vaaks Top Three?

Football

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Illinois head football coach Bret Bielema during the second quarter of a Big Ten football game against Penn State, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in State College, Pa.

Illinois Gets Commitment From Three-Star Cornerback Trezavant Boyd: What It Means

Nov 1, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker James Kreutz (41) sacks Rutgers Scarlet Knights quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (16) during the second half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

3 Illinois Football Returners to Know Ahead of the 2026 Season

NFL legend Tom Brady is all smiles before an NFL football game at Huntington Bank Field, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, in Cleveland, Ohio.

What If Tom Brady Would Have Played Football at Illinois Instead?

Nov 22, 2025; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Kaden Feagin (3) runs the ball against the Wisconsin Badgers during the second half at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kayla Wolf-Imagn Images

5 Bold Predictions for Illinois Football in 2026

Aug 29, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema before a game with the Western Illinois Leathernecks at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Is Illinois' College Football Playoff Window Still Cracked Open?

Illinois coach Bret Bielema celebrates after the Illini's 30-28 win over No. 23 Tennessee in the Music City Bowl on Dec. 30, 2025, at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee.

Illinois Gets Commitment From Defensive Back Darryl Flemister: What It Means

Sep 20, 2025; Greenville, North Carolina, USA; East Carolina Pirates quarterback Katin Houser (4) throws the ball against the Brigham Young Cougars during the first half at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images

EA Sports' 'College Football 27' Ratings Released: Who Is Illinois' Top-Rated Player?

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 Gets Commitment From Three-Star Safety Tyrone Howard Jr.: What It Means

Basketball

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Apr 4, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) talks with forward David Mirkovic (0) during the second 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

Building Illinois' Best Starting Five of the Brad Underwood Era

Jan 23, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood before the tipoff of a game with the Maryland Terrapins at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

3 Key Takeaways From Illinois Basketball's Summer Highlights

Jan 14, 2025; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood during the first half against the Indiana Hoosiers at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

3 Intriguing Illinois Lineups for 2026-27 – and What Makes Each So Dangerous

Mar 23, 2025; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts during the second half in the second round of the NCAA Tournament against the Kentucky Wildcats at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

Projecting Illinois Basketball's Best Case-Scenario for the 2026-27 Season

Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) reacts to a foul call Saturday, March 21, 2026, during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament second round game against the VCU Rams at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina.

Projecting Illinois Basketball's Worst-Case Scenario for the 2026-27 Season

Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) is defended by Penn Quakers guard AJ Levine (0) Thursday, March 19, 2026, during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament first round game at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina.

Keaton Wagler and Will Riley Explode, Other Former Illini Shine in NBA Summer League

Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood yells down court Thursday, March 19, 2026, during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament first round game against the Penn Quakers at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina.

3 Big Concerns for Illinois Basketball Entering the 2026-27 Season

Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) celebrates after scoring Saturday, March 21, 2026, during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament second round game against the VCU Rams at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina.

One Key Question for Each Illinois Player Entering 2026-27

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 Basketball Extends Offer to Under-the-Radar 2027 Forward Ed Stasys

Mar 13, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Illinois Hosts 2028 Five-Star Guard Brady Pettigrew For Unofficial Visit

Apr 2, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois head coach Brad Underwood during a press conference ahead of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Illinois Basketball Offers Emerging 2027 Wing Jayon Connor

Apr 3, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood speaks during a press conference ahead of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Illinois Basketball's Top 2027 Recruiting Targets by Position

Nov 1, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema greets fans before an NCAA game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Illinois Football Receive Commitment From 2027 Kicker Ulysses Morales

Aug 29, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema before a game with the Western Illinois Leathernecks at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Illinois Football Gets Commitment From Four-Star Bennett Konkey: 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 Football Gets Commitment From Linebacker Anthony James: What It Means

Mar 8, 2026; College Park, Maryland, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood walks down the court during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Illinois Basketball Offers Five-Star 2028 Center Dylan Betts

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

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

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