Last year saw the Illinois Fighting Illini football team have their best season since the 10-2 Big Ten title, Champaign campaign of 2001. And a big part of that was due to the defensive front seven. While yes, it was an overall team effort, across the board, the defensive line and linebackers position group was critical. With the Illini returning a very high percentage of their … [Read more...] about Illini Football: Front Seven, Led by Gabe Jacas, Key to 2025 Success
Illinois Fighting Illini
Illinois Football Enters Season with Highest Expectations in a Generation
The annual spring and summer sports lull is about to end! Yes, the "we have no revenue college sports going on at the moment" dead zone of the calendar concludes...now. The Illinois football team began their training camp on Friday at Memorial Stadium, with Illinois football coach Bret Bielema holding a press conference on Thursday to preview fall practice. And the current … [Read more...] about Illinois Football Enters Season with Highest Expectations in a Generation
Illini Return 16/22 Starters, Look Very Strong in 2025
Is 2025 going to be the year that the Illinois Fighting Illini football program finally starts stacking winning seasons? It certainly looks that way on paper. And while there was obvious cause for optimism in 2000, 2002, 2008 and 2023 (four seasons that followed major program breakthroughs), it just didn't work out that way, and all four of those years were mere five-in … [Read more...] about Illini Return 16/22 Starters, Look Very Strong in 2025
Is Kasparas Jakucionis Worthy of Luka Doncic Comparisons?
With the NBA Draft tomorrow night, we now re-post our NBA Draft Stock Profile articles. This one originally ran March 18. 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 … [Read more...] about Is Kasparas Jakucionis Worthy of Luka Doncic Comparisons?
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
Illini Floor General Kasparas Jakucionis Has Lottery Level NBA Draft Stock
With the NBA Draft tomorrow night, we now re-post our NBA Draft Stock Profile articles. This one originally ran in February. Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kasparas Jakucionis entered his team's 70-66 (OT) loss at Northwestern leading all freshmen, nationally, in assists per game. He tallied seven more dimes tonight, which helps improve his average, as he came in averaging six … [Read more...] about Illini Floor General Kasparas Jakucionis Has Lottery Level NBA Draft Stock
Will Riley Brings NBA Lottery Level Talent to Illini Basketball Team
With the NBA Draft tomorrow night, we now re-post our NBA Draft Stock Profile articles. This one originally ran in November. NBA level talent is something that had been truly missing from the Illinois Fighting Illini program for some time. There was a long drought between Meyers Leonard (2012) and Ayo Dosunmu (2021). However, between Brandin Podziemski in 2023, Terrence Shannon … [Read more...] about Will Riley Brings NBA Lottery Level Talent to Illini Basketball Team
Exclusive: Illini Asst. Coach Keaton Kutcher Discusses His Cousin Ashton Kutcher and Much More
Former Illinois guard Keaton Kutcher has a very bright future ahead. He is much more than the cousin of Ashton Kutcher. Let's get that established up front. Keaton is a very personable young man who is fun to talk to, and during our exclusive interview, conducted in Milwaukee as the NCAA Tournament was about to commence, the Ashton Kutcher talk was rather limited; as it … [Read more...] about Exclusive: Illini Asst. Coach Keaton Kutcher Discusses His Cousin Ashton Kutcher and Much More
Luke Altmyer, Bret Bielema Sing Stretch at Wrigley, Coach Trolls Brewers Fans
Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer, widely considered to be among the best in the Big Ten this upcoming season, had a very exciting Tuesday night. He got to sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," alongside his head coach Bret Bielema, at Wrigley Field tonight during the Chicago Cubs 5-3 win over the arch-rival Milwaukee Brewers. … [Read more...] about Luke Altmyer, Bret Bielema Sing Stretch at Wrigley, Coach Trolls Brewers Fans
Brad Underwood to Steady Illini Basketball through Sport’s Chaotic Times
In his final press conference of the season, Illini basketball coach Brad Underwood fielded a reporter's question about his national title ambitions. Underwood made it clear, once again what he's said multiple times previously- that competing for nattys are the ultimate goal in Champaign. In order to compete for national championships, a program needs stability and identity. … [Read more...] about Brad Underwood to Steady Illini Basketball through Sport’s Chaotic Times