Northwestern basketball will have just three, count 'em three, returnees this upcoming season. That triad consists of Phoenix Gill, Angelo Ciaravio and Jake West. That means the roster has been filled out with lots of new players, 11 to be exact. The 2026-27 Northwestern basketball team will be a bit like the 2024-25 Illini, who had 10 newcomers. … [Read more...] about 2026-27 Northwestern Basketball Will Have a Major European Flair
College Basketball
Northwestern Wildcats Slowly, Quietly Building a NBA Draft Tradition
Nick Martinelli was selected by the Los Angeles Clippers with the #55 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft this past week. Martinelli became the second Northwestern Wildcats draft pick in the past two years, joining Brooks Barnhizer, who went #44 overall to the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2025. This is the first time that the Northwestern Wildcats have enjoyed NBA Draft picks in … [Read more...] about Northwestern Wildcats Slowly, Quietly Building a NBA Draft Tradition
Kasparas Jakucionis in a Better Spot After Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade
Finally, the Giannis Antetokounmpo transfer saga is now over. On Monday night, the Milwaukee Bucks agreed to trade the two-time MVP, along with Bobby Portis, to the Miami Heat, for four players, three first round draft picks, one second round draft pick and one draft pick swap. It's a blockbuster deal to say the least. It's a true "blow it all up and completely start over" kind … [Read more...] about Kasparas Jakucionis in a Better Spot After Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade
2026 NBA Mock Draft Version 14.0 Final
Happy NBA Draft Day! The draft green room invite list has been released, and the big night is now here. And thus, The Sports Bank has released their final 2026 NBA mock draft. It's time for version 14.0, the final boss of this endeavor. Also, The Sports Bank is the only independently-owned, mom and pop shop website to publish a mock draft in all four of the major North American … [Read more...] about 2026 NBA Mock Draft Version 14.0 Final
Andrej Stojakovic Likely Exiting NBA Draft Process, Returning to Illini Next Season
The Illinois Fighting Illini will certainly lose player to the NBA Draft, in Keaton Wagler, who is likely to be selected in the top ten. The Illini will also see one of their players from the 2024-25 team, Morez Johnson, stay in the draft. He'll likely be a late first round selection. Kylan Boswell and Andrej Stojakovic, two key players from this past season's Final Four team, … [Read more...] about Andrej Stojakovic Likely Exiting NBA Draft Process, Returning to Illini Next Season
Kylan Boswell: Strengths, Weaknesses of former Illini PG as NBA Combine Nears
This past Friday saw the NBA Draft Combine invite list, 73 names long, released, and it included three Illinois Fighting Illini. Shooting guard and Jerry West Award wiiner Keaton Wagler, point guard/combo guard Kylan Boswell and small forward Andrej Stojakovic. Wagler is set to become a top 10, maybe even 5 overall pick. Stojakovic, who has a mid-to-late second round grade, … [Read more...] about Kylan Boswell: Strengths, Weaknesses of former Illini PG as NBA Combine Nears
Illinois Basketball: Where the Roster Now Stands After Flurry of Decisions
Wednesday brought a massive flurry of news for Illinois basketball. David Mirkovic, Jake Davis, Tomislav and Zvonimir Ivisic all confirmed that they are coming back for next season. Then on Thursday morning, we learned that Ty Rodgers is entering the transfer portal. So what does the current roster look like for 2026-27 Illinois basketball? This chart below is up to date, … [Read more...] about Illinois Basketball: Where the Roster Now Stands After Flurry of Decisions
Michigan Center Aday Mara Could become the Next Pau Gasol
Michigan center Uday Mara is a 7'3" shot blocking extraordinaire, and as of tonight, he's a national champion. Mara helped the Michigan Wolverines to their first national championship since 1989. UM also snapped their national title game losing streak at four while ending the Big Ten's natty drought of 26 years. A Spaniard in the mold of Pau Gasol, Mara was draped in his … [Read more...] about Michigan Center Aday Mara Could become the Next Pau Gasol
Illini Land Stefan Vaaks, Fill Shooting Guard Void Left by Keaton Wagler Departure
As soon as it opened, the men's basketball transfer portal had a flood of names in it. It was well over 1,000 names, and then quickly surpassed 2,000, just like that. And pretty soon, the transfer market was open, and recruiting efforts were already well underway. The Illinois Fighting Illini got a very sought after asset in Providence shooting guard Stefan Vaaks. He fills this … [Read more...] about Illini Land Stefan Vaaks, Fill Shooting Guard Void Left by Keaton Wagler Departure
Final Four MOP Elliot Cadeau Returning to Michigan for Senior Season
The Big Ten has produced a national champion for the first time since 2000. Michigan, who won it all, once in 1989, but finished runner-up in 1991,1992, 2013 and 2018, are back on the mountain top, led by point guard Elliot Cadeau. He was named the Final Four Most Outstanding Player. And he reached a deal on Thursday to return to Ann Arbor for his senior season. (Although … [Read more...] about Final Four MOP Elliot Cadeau Returning to Michigan for Senior Season