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
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Illini Basketball Transfer Talk: Andrej Stojakovic, Adam Miller, Jamir Watkins
Update: Andrej Stojakovic is signed! Here is the official statement from Illini basketball coach Brad Underwood below. "Andrej is a veteran, proven scorer who does it in all three facets: catch and shoot, off the dribble, and post ups," the Underwood statement reads. "He has great size on the perimeter, ball handling skills, playmaking abilities, quickness on the defensive … [Read more...] about Illini Basketball Transfer Talk: Andrej Stojakovic, Adam Miller, Jamir Watkins
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: Andrej Stojakovic, Adam Miller
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
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
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
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
When Illinois Basketball Got Shafted in the Tourney, and the NCAA Changed Rules
Editor's Note: As Illinois basketball is currently back in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, we now update, revise and augment this article from May of 2013. Illinois basketball has beaten a higher seeded team in the NCAA Tournament just twice in school history. However, they came extremely close to doing it a third time this past March. … [Read more...] about When Illinois Basketball Got Shafted in the Tourney, and the NCAA Changed Rules