Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler is so much more than a Big Ten Player of the Year candidate, or Freshman of the Year candidate. He's a National Player of the Year candidate. Yesterday saw Wagler named to the Wooden Award Late Midseason Top 20 Watch List, as annou ced by the Los Angeles Athletic Club. The 6-6 Shawnee, KS native is one of only two freshmen … [Read more...] about Keaton Wagler Definitely in National Player of the Year Conversation
College Basketball
Updated Illini Basketball Postseason Resume After Keaton Wagler Clinic
We all just witnessed history! Illini basketball has a superstar in the making in point guard Keaton Wagler. The electric freshman just achieved one of the greatest performances in college basketball history with 46 points (13-17 FG, 9-11 3PT, 11-13 FT) and four assists. Keaton Wagler broke many Illini basketball and NCAA records on Saturday. … [Read more...] about Updated Illini Basketball Postseason Resume After Keaton Wagler Clinic
Andrej Stojakovic Steps Up for Illini, in Place of Injured Kylan Boswell
Kylan Boswell suffered a fractured right hand during Monday's practice session, leaving the Illinois Fighting Illini without the services of one of their best players until next month. Boswell brings so much to the table, not just scoring and leadership, but also defending. Obviously, someone needs to step up to fill the void for the Illini. Enter Andrej Stojakovic. Illini … [Read more...] about Andrej Stojakovic Steps Up for Illini, in Place of Injured Kylan Boswell
#13 Illinois Basketball Game Preview vs Maryland Terrapins
To quote a minor background character in Wedding Crashers, the ultra-wealthy meathead guy, "crab cakes and football- that's what Maryland DOES!" Well, not so much this year, as both the Baltimore Ravens and the Maryland Terrapins missed the postseason. However, Maryland doesn't do basketball either, as this has been a brutally awful season for them, thus far. However, the … [Read more...] about #13 Illinois Basketball Game Preview vs Maryland Terrapins
Nick Martinelli: NBA Draft Stock Report on Northwestern Forward
After a 26 year drought, Northwestern returned to the NBA Draft last June when Brooks Barnhizer was selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder with the 44th overall pick. Evan Eschmeyer, in 1999, had been the most recent Wildcat selected. Now Nick Martinelli, the nation's leading scorer, could follow Barnhizer to the NBA this June. Northwestern basketball head coach Chris Collins … [Read more...] about Nick Martinelli: NBA Draft Stock Report on Northwestern Forward
#16 Illini Basketball at Northwestern Wildcats Preview, Prediction, FYIs
Wednesday night brings the first of the two annual basketball versions of the Land of Lincoln Trophy game as the #16 Illinois Fighting Illini basketball team (13-5, 4-1) visits the Northwestern Wildcats (8-8, 0-5). The Illini haven't been as dominant at Welsh-Ryan Arena in recent years, as you might think, given the disparity in historical success of the two in-state Big Ten … [Read more...] about #16 Illini Basketball at Northwestern Wildcats Preview, Prediction, FYIs
Chris Collins Admires Tom Izzo’s Quest to Preserve College Basketball Norms
No matter where his career heads in the future, Northwestern basketball coach Chris Collins will always be "the guy that did the thing." He led the program to their first three NCAA Tournament berths. Priot to his arrival, Northwestern basketball was regarded to be a program with very little, some would even say no, real history, and Collins changed all that. This season may … [Read more...] about Chris Collins Admires Tom Izzo’s Quest to Preserve College Basketball Norms
Northwestern Basketball Has a Lot to Figure Out Defensively
The first Saturday in December is obviously known to college sports fans as conference championship day. Football takes center stage today, but there was a great college basketball slate on tap today as well. The 2025-26 Northwestern basketball team lost to the Ohio State Buckeyes 86-82 today, in what is the same matchup as the 2018 and 2020 Big Ten football title game, both … [Read more...] about Northwestern Basketball Has a Lot to Figure Out Defensively
Chris Collins Has Perfect Take on Northwestern-Oklahoma St. Tip Time Fiasco
After falling 86-81 to Oklahoma State at the United Center on Thanksgiving, Northwestern coach Chris Collins met the media, at a time that was so late, it was already technically, Black Friday. The game was scheduled to tip at 9:30pm local, or 10:30 EST. It didn't actually start until 9:51 central, 10:51 eastern. The scheduling and the start time were both so absurd that it … [Read more...] about Chris Collins Has Perfect Take on Northwestern-Oklahoma St. Tip Time Fiasco
Roddy Gayle on ‘hate’ he received for Transferring from Ohio State to Michigan
Michigan Wolverines shooting guard Roddy Gayle was one of several players in the first breakout session of Big Ten Media Day on Thursday. And the very first question that he received mentioned his previous appearance at a Big Ten Media Day, where he represented the Ohio State Buckeyes, at their respective podium. "Obviously different colors, different schools, apparently … [Read more...] about Roddy Gayle on ‘hate’ he received for Transferring from Ohio State to Michigan