2+ day, 18+ hour ago  (205+ words) The Illini kept the momentum rolling on the road, winning their third straight game in dominant fashion against their in-state rivals ... When you're hitting at that rate, defenses can't overreact to one shooter without opening something else. It also meant…...

3+ day, 21+ hour ago  (396+ words) March is creeping closer, and with it comes everyone's favorite annual tradition: staring at hypothetical brackets and convincing yourself they're either destiny or disrespect. In its in-season top-16 reveal, the NCAA Tournament selection committee gave Illinois (22-5, 13-3 Big Ten) a strong…...

4+ day, 5+ hour ago  (742+ words) Illinois fans, certain college basketball experts " and, yes, Illinois on SI, too " have spent chunks of the season treating Brad Underwood like the remote control when the TV stops working. The lineup didn't click?What's wrong with this thing?A…...

4+ day, 14+ hour ago  (102+ words) The Illini (22-5, 13-3 Big Ten) may be peaking, but they still have to get it done on the floor against a talented, desperate Bruins squad (17-9, 9-6) ... Mick Cronin keeps losing his cool on Big Ten road trips that are so far from…...

1+ week, 3+ hour ago  (469+ words) A healthy number of high-major recruits played high school basketball at a prestigious academy (Montverde Academy, IMG Academy, Prolific Prep, Brewster Academy, etc.). Those who didn't almost always played for a shoe-circuit AAU program (Nike EYBL, Adidas 3SSB, etc.).But not…...

1+ week, 3+ day ago  (473+ words) For two straight games, Illinois" (21-5, 12-3 Big Ten) defense didn"t just struggle. It too often allowed opponents to play in comfort. The season-long numbers reinforce a grim tale: Even after the Indiana game is factored in, Illinois ranks 365th nationally in…...

2+ week, 2+ day ago  (561+ words) Once a college basketball team enters the top five of any rankings, upward movement " even incremental movement " becomes incredibly tough to come by. Not only does a club have to keep winning, but it very likely needs a squad (or…...

2+ week, 2+ day ago  (232+ words) At 6-foot-9 and 250 pounds, Illinois freshman David Mirkovic has been described at times as a point forward. A point guard in his younger days, Mirkovic clearly has (some) of the skills and instincts that usually come with the package. But…...

2+ week, 5+ day ago  (431+ words) Two drastically different worlds are set to collide on Saturday night in East Lansing, Michigan (7 p.m. CT, FOX). Illinois, at the highest of highs, is riding a 12-game win streak and playing better basketball than arguably any squad in Division I…...

3+ week, 4+ day ago  (451+ words) If you win the rebounding battle, you win the game. That's what practically every coach in basketball will tell you. Although the notion tends to hold true, it's not an iron-clad rule. In Illinois' previous defeat " which feels like ages…...