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
brad underwood
Keaton Wagler: Highest NBA Draft Stock on this Illini Basketball Team?
It was only a buy game, sure, but the #20 Illinois Fighting Illini basketball team did exactly what they're supposed to do in a situation like this, routing Southern 90-55. Keaton Wagler, the main storyline of Illini basketball preseason media day, finished just shy of a triple double today with 11 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds. … [Read more...] about Keaton Wagler: Highest NBA Draft Stock on this Illini Basketball Team?
Why Illini Basketball Stays Overly Reliant on Three-Point Shooting
The cliche "live and die by the three" is just as apt this season as it was last year for the Illinois Fighting Illini basketball team. Win or lose, the Illini will be chucking up threes with regularity. When the three-pointers are dropping, Illinois fans are happy. When they're missing, the fans will inevitably ask "what are you doing?" And "why do you take so many threes?" … [Read more...] about Why Illini Basketball Stays Overly Reliant on Three-Point Shooting
Brad Underwood Makes Good on Orange Jump Suit Promise from September
It's time to re-post this article from September. Back at the media opportunity during the football season opener, I asked Illini basketball coach Brad Underwood about recruiting the Balkans. In his response, he mentioned that an orange jump suit could be in the future. Today, Underwood delivered on that promise, and hence, we bump this back to the top. … [Read more...] about Brad Underwood Makes Good on Orange Jump Suit Promise from September
Deron Williams Waiting for Brad Underwood, Illini to get over March Madness Hump
In the Illini nation, the opinion of Deron Williams will always hold sway. The greatest NBA player in Illini basketball history, or at least for the modern era, he is what you would call "a club legend." So his public endorsement of current Illini basketball head coach Brad Underwood matters, a lot. … [Read more...] about Deron Williams Waiting for Brad Underwood, Illini to get over March Madness Hump
Mihailo Petrovic ‘big piece of the puzzle,’ says Brad Underwood
It took awhile, but Illinois Fighting Illini point guard Mihailo Petrovic is on campus. He arrived from Prokuplje, Serbia to Champaign, IL on August 25th, and once the season gets started, we'll see why he's worth the wait. "I felt pretty good because there were some things that just took time, and time was the only cure for it," Illini basketball coach Brad Underwood said … [Read more...] about Mihailo Petrovic ‘big piece of the puzzle,’ says Brad Underwood
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