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
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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
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
Illini Basketball Transfer Talk: Mihailo Petrovic, Andrej Stojakovic
As we joked in both edition one and edition two of Illinois Fighting Illini Basketball Transfer Talk, covering NCAA basketball in the offseason has a very European feel these days. By that we mean transfer portal developments occur in a story arc that is similar to the British tabloids covering European soccer players. But now more of the players themselves are Euro, as the … [Read more...] about Illini Basketball Transfer Talk: Mihailo Petrovic, Andrej Stojakovic
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
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
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