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march madness

Yaxel Lendeborg Played His Way into NBA Draft Lottery this March Madness

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The NCAA Tournament can do a whole lot for your NBA Draft stock, provided you are a player who can rise up and carpe diem. Michgan forward Yaxel Lendeborg, the reigning Big Ten Playery of the Year, projected as a potential mid first round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, entering March Madness. However, some pundits and prognosticators project him into the late lottery, and the … [Read more...] about Yaxel Lendeborg Played His Way into NBA Draft Lottery this March Madness

Complete Illini NCAA Tournament History for Millenials and Xennials

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Thursday night sees the Illinois Fighting Illini making their 36th overall NCAA Tournament appearance, and sixth in a row. The Illini own an all-time NCAA Tournament record of 46-36. As a Xennial, (neither Gen-X nor millenial) generation member, my Illini fandom experience begins in 1991, a few years before I enrolled at the school. On this March Madness eve, let's stroll … [Read more...] about Complete Illini NCAA Tournament History for Millenials and Xennials

Exclusive: Illini Asst. Coach Keaton Kutcher Discusses His Cousin Ashton Kutcher and Much More

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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

Brad Underwood Maintains National Title Ambitions for Illinois Basketball

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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

Michigan State Has Tough, but Achievable Road to Final Four

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Auburn is the highest overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, but they are certainly not guaranteed a Final Four berth by any stretch. Michigan State is the #2 seed in their bracket, the South Regional of the NCAA Tournament. Getting the Spartans is not a reward for them, as that could ultimately prove to be one epic regional final. … [Read more...] about Michigan State Has Tough, but Achievable Road to Final Four

Do Michigan State B1G Tourney Results Predict Their March Madness Runs?

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Looking for clues on whether or not you should pick Michigan State in your bracket pool? Well, you can consider their Big Ten tournament final result as a factor in your equation. #1 seeded Michigan State opens their BTT against #9 seed Oregon in the tournament quarterfinals this morning in Indianapolis. Jase Richardson, the team's second leading scorer, discussed this … [Read more...] about Do Michigan State B1G Tourney Results Predict Their March Madness Runs?

Exclusive with Morez Johnson, Key Building Block for 2025-26 Illini

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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 seven tournament appearances) for the Illinois hoops program. It's an issue that goes all the way back to the Lou Henson days. … [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

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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

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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