It has been a rough start to the offseason for Illinois basketball, but you know what they say- when defections occur, replacements are inevitable. When you have notable exits, it preludes meaningful additions. The Morez Johnson departure shocked us all. The Tre White exit, not so much. However, reinforcements are coming for Brad Underwood, with Josh Dix having taken his … [Read more...] about Brad Underwood Maintains National Title Ambitions for Illinois Basketball
Illinois basketball
Exclusive with Morez Johnson, Key Building Block for 2025-26 Illini
(Update: Morez Johnson officially enters the transfer portal, just three days after this exclusive interview was first published) Unfortunately, it's already time to look ahead to next season, Illini basketball fans. Once again, the second round of the NCAA Tournament continues to be a bugaboo/road block (they have exited the tourney in this exact round in five of their last … [Read more...] about Exclusive with Morez Johnson, Key Building Block for 2025-26 Illini
How Illini Stars Kasparas Jakucionis, Tomislav Ivisic First Got Into Hoops
Illinois stars Kasparas Jakucionis and Tomislav Ivisic played in the NCAA Tournament for the first time tonight, as the #6 seed Illini beat #11 seed Xavier 86-73 in the first round at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee. Until Friday night, the pair of Eastern European sharpshooters has only watched it from afar, on television. Jakucionis, a combo guard with high NBA Draft stock from … [Read more...] about How Illini Stars Kasparas Jakucionis, Tomislav Ivisic First Got Into Hoops
Will Riley Believes Basketball Could Replace Hockey as Top Canadian Sport
When you think of Canada, you often think hockey next. And conversely, when you first hear the word hockey, you might think of Canada next, when it comes to word association. Things could be changing though, at least according to Kitchener, Ontario native Will Riley. The #1 ranked basketball recruit from Canada, Riley has really developed as the season has gone along. … [Read more...] about Will Riley Believes Basketball Could Replace Hockey as Top Canadian Sport
Last Illini vs Kentucky Tournament Matchup Inspired a New NCAA Rule
Tomorrow will mark the fifth time that the Illinois Fighting Illini face the Kentucky Wildcats in the NCAA Tournament. UK has won all four of the previous meetings: 1942 Elite Eight: 46-44,1949 Final Four 76-47, 1951 Final Four 76-74 and 1984 Elite Eight 54-51. That last one has a special historical significance, as it was played at Rupp Arena and thereby gave UK an unfair … [Read more...] about Last Illini vs Kentucky Tournament Matchup Inspired a New NCAA Rule
When Illinois Basketball Got Shafted in the Tourney, and the NCAA Changed Rules
Editor's Note: As Illinois basketball is currently back in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, we now update, revise and augment this article from May of 2013. Illinois basketball has beaten a higher seeded team in the NCAA Tournament just twice in school history. However, they came extremely close to doing it a third time this past March. … [Read more...] about When Illinois Basketball Got Shafted in the Tourney, and the NCAA Changed Rules
Illinois Basketball: NCAA Tournament 1st Weekend News and Notes
The 2024-25 Illinois basketball team will begin their NCAA Tournament in Milwaukee on Friday night against the winner of Wednesday night's Texas vs. Xavier First Four play-in game. Illinois basketball coach Brad Underwood will no doubt have his team believing: "We're gonna make our dreams come true...Doin' it our way...Nothin's gonna turn us back now. Straight ahead and on … [Read more...] about Illinois Basketball: NCAA Tournament 1st Weekend News and Notes
Illini Basketball: 2025 NCAA Tournament Weekend 1 Preview
For the 2024-25 Illinois Fighting Illini basketball team, the March Madness destination is Milwaukee and the Fiserv Forum, home of the 2021 NBA Champion Milwaukee Bucks. Their opponent will be the winner of the Texas-Xavier play-in game tomorrow evening. Fun fact- this is the first time the Illini will face a play-in game winner in their opening NCAA Tournament game. … [Read more...] about Illini Basketball: 2025 NCAA Tournament Weekend 1 Preview
Complete Illini NCAA Tournament History for Millenials
Friday night sees the Illinois Fighting Illini making their 35th overall NCAA Tournament appearance, and fifth in a row following an 8-year drought. It would have been six in a row, had the covid-19 pandemic not cancelled the 2020 tournament. The Illini own an all-time NCAA Tournament record of 45-35. Their March Madness destination is Milwaukee, the Fiserv Forum, and their … [Read more...] about Complete Illini NCAA Tournament History for Millenials
Is Kasparas Jakucionis Worthy of Luka Doncic Comparisons?
We're just a little over a week away from Selection Sunday, and you know what that means- you can literally start to count down the hours until March Madness begins. Once the NCAA Tournament begins, you'll have several top NBA Draft prospects to keep an eye on, including Illinois combo guard Kasparas Jakucionis. He is considered to be a potentially top 5 pick in the 2025 NBA … [Read more...] about Is Kasparas Jakucionis Worthy of Luka Doncic Comparisons?
