With the college basketball season now concluded, we're fully into the "silly season" now. The Wild, Wild West that is the deregulated, laisez-faire NCAA transfer portal has turned coverage of the men's college basketball offseason into a free for all. In today's edition of Illini Basketball Transfer Talk, we'll cover Adam Miller and Andrej Stojakovic. These days, keeping up … [Read more...] about Illini Basketball Transfer Talk: Andrej Stojakovic, Adam Miller
Illinois Fighting Illini
Illini Football News and Notes: Josh McCray, Recruiting Rankings
It has been a very eventful off-season for the Illini football program. In 2025, they'll return 18/22 starters from a team that went 10-3, won the Citrus Bowl and finished #16 (one spot ahead of Alabama) in the final AP poll. Obviously, the outlook for this team is very positive, as it should be, as spring football nears its conclusion. Lots of Illini football news and notes … [Read more...] about Illini Football News and Notes: Josh McCray, Recruiting Rankings
Illinois Football Has Five National Championships (Flashback Friday)
Since we're talking about Illinois football playoff possibilities this upcoming season, and thus, dreaming of bigger things, let's do a Flashback Friday to the program's five national titles. Yes, Illinois football has five, count 'em five national titles on their program CV. Of course, these were all in the days long before the polls, like the Harris interactive, UPI, BCS … [Read more...] about Illinois Football Has Five National Championships (Flashback Friday)
Illini Basketball Transfer Talk: Dame Sarr, Jamir Watkins, Ian Jackson
We are now in an era where the college basketball offseason news cycle mirrors the summer transfer window in European football/soccer (we do actually need to cover FC Barcelona in this edition). Even when there is no actual news, there is still plenty of transfer rumors/talk/speculation and conjecture. It's a natural consequence given the rise of NIL budgets, and a NCAA … [Read more...] about Illini Basketball Transfer Talk: Dame Sarr, Jamir Watkins, Ian Jackson
Exclusive with Ian Jackson, Ex-Tar Heel, #1 SG in NCAA Transfer Portal
When Ian Jackson enrolled at the University of North Carolina last year, he was the rated the #8 overall prospect in his freshman class. After a decent, but not dominant freshman season with the Tar Heels (11.9 ppg, 2.7 rebounds per game, 45.6% FG, 39.5% 3-PT in 36 games), Jackson is once again a free agent. Given the strength of his NBA Draft stock, it is not surprising … [Read more...] about Exclusive with Ian Jackson, Ex-Tar Heel, #1 SG in NCAA Transfer Portal
Brad Underwood Maintains National Title Ambitions for Illinois Basketball
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
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
