About
Fighting Illini News
Illinois Football
Illinois Basketball
Illinois Baseball
FanSided NCAA Sites

Illinois Basketball

Mar 19, 2026; Greenville, SC, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) dribbles the ball against the Penn Quakers in the first half of a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

David Mirkovic rewrites Illinois record book in an epic NCAA tournament performance

Rees Woodcock

|

Mar 19, 2026

5 huge observations from the Illinois basketball win over Penn

Rees Woodcock

|

Mar 19, 2026

David Mirkovic gives Brad Underwood exactly what he had been asking for vs. Penn

Sam Fariss

|

Mar 19, 2026

Illinois needs to take advantage of the NCAA tournament gift from North Carolina

Rees Woodcock

|

Mar 19, 2026

Mar 18, 2026; Greenville, SC, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood chats with Penn Quakers head coach Fran McCaffery during a practice session ahead of the first round of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Mid-major NCAA tournament upsets should have Illinois basketball on high alert

Rees Woodcock

|

Mar 19, 2026

Penn Quakers forward TJ Power (12)

Final Penn injury report vs. Illinois fuels uncertainty about Quakers' upset chances

Josh Yourish

|

Mar 19, 2026

Mar 18, 2026; Greenville, SC, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) talks during a press conference ahead of the first round of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament.

Final odds and predictions for No. 3 Illinois vs. Penn in NCAA Tournament first round

Sam Fariss

|

Mar 19, 2026

Mar 13, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) reacts at the end of the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

No blurred lines between Illinois success and abject failure in the NCAA tournament

Rees Woodcock

|

Mar 19, 2026

Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Shauna Green calls out to her team Friday, March 6, 2026, during a Big Ten women's basketball tournament game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

One big stat that will be key for Illinois basketball success in the NCAA tournament

Kellen Sherman

|

Mar 19, 2026

Mar 18, 2026; Greenville, SC, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kylan Boswell (4) and guard Keaton Wagler (23) and forward Ben Humrichous (3) during a press conference ahead of the first round of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Illinois player has NCAA tournament spotlight shining bright on him

Kellen Sherman

|

Mar 18, 2026

Mar 13, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini players react after the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

The 3 players in the South Region who are giving Illinois fans nightmares

Rees Woodcock

|

Mar 18, 2026

Dec 20, 2025; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Penn Quakers forward TJ Power (12) goes to the basket against Rutgers Scarlet Knights.

Update on TJ Power's status vs. Illinois places even more doubt on Penn upset chances

Sam Fariss

|

Mar 18, 2026

Illinois head coach Brad Underwood is shown during overtime of their quarterfinal game in the Big Ten tournament Friday, March 13, 2026.

Brad Underwood doesn't hold back on what Illinois needs to go on a deep run

Sam Fariss

|

Mar 18, 2026

Mar 3, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) grabs a loose ball away from Oregon Ducks forward Kwame Evans Jr. (10).

The familiar Keaton Wagler weakness Brad Underwood must hide in the NCAA Tournament

Sam Fariss

|

Mar 18, 2026

Feb 4, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood prepares his game plan before tip-off against the Northwestern Wildcats at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

3 keys for Illinois basketball to avoid the NCAA tournament upset against Penn

Rees Woodcock

|

Mar 18, 2026

Mar 13, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) brings the ball up court against Wisconsin Badgers guard Andrew Rohde (7) during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Illinois basketball's superstar freshman continues to rack up huge national accolades

Kellen Sherman

|

Mar 17, 2026

Feb 21, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Illinois players Keaton Wagler (23), Andrej Stojakovic (2), David Mirkovic (0), Zvonimir Ivisic (44) and IBen Humrichous (3) during the 2nd half against the UCLA Bruins at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

Numbers that show Illinois basketball shouldn’t be an NCAA tournament bracket buster

Rees Woodcock

|

Mar 16, 2026

Mar 3, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts to a call during the second half against the Oregon Ducks at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Jimmys and Joes vs. X's and O's: Illinois basketball and the fork in the road

Pleas Honeywood

|

Mar 16, 2026

Mar 8, 2026; College Park, Maryland, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Jake Davis (15) shoots during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Illinois basketball vs Penn how to watch, series history, and players to watch

Rees Woodcock

|

Mar 16, 2026

Feb 18, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kylan Boswell (4) dribbles the ball against the Southern California Trojans in the first half.

Illinois March Madness base: Seed, potential opponents, schedules and path to the Final Four

Sam Fariss

|

Mar 16, 2026

Feb 25, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Fran McCaffery and Illinois Fighting Illini head coach greet each other before the start of a game at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Warm up the Francon Meter, as Illinois basketball faces old foe in NCAA tournament

Kellen Sherman

|

Mar 16, 2026

Oregon guard Katie Fiso goes up for a shot over Illinois forward Cearah Parchment as the Oregon Ducks host the Illinois Fighting Illini on Feb. 4, 2026, at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Oregon.

Star freshman has Illinois basketball on prestigious award list

Kellen Sherman

|

Mar 16, 2026

Feb 25, 2024; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Shauna Green watches her team play the Iowa Hawkeyes during the second half at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-Imagn Images

Illinois avoids the dreaded No. 1 seed, as NCAA tournament brackets are revealed

Rees Woodcock

|

Mar 15, 2026

Dec 29, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) and teammate Kylan Boswell (4) react in the closing minutes of the second half against the Southern University Jaguars at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

NCAA tournament gives Illinois chance at long awaited revenge against North Carolina

Rees Woodcock

|

Mar 15, 2026

Feb 4, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts during the second half against the Northwestern Wildcats at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Illinois gets a brutal draw as a No. 3 seed in the NCAA tournament

Rees Woodcock

|

Mar 15, 2026

Mar 13, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) brings the ball up court against Wisconsin Badgers guard Andrew Rohde (7) during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Illinois basketball is dancing in the NCAA tournament for the 6th straight season

Rees Woodcock

|

Mar 15, 2026

Mar 8, 2026; College Park, Maryland, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts during the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Illinois could benefit from final NCAA tournament bracket prediction chaos

Rees Woodcock

|

Mar 15, 2026

Jan 24, 2026; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) shoots a free throw during the second half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Mackey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images

Illinois basketball’s NCAA tournament hopes could rest on this simple stat

Rees Woodcock

|

Mar 15, 2026

Legal Disclaimer

Accessibility Statement

© 2026 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only. Betting and gambling content is intended for individuals 21+ and is based on individual commentators' opinions and not that of Minute Media or its affiliates and related brands. All picks and predictions are suggestions only and not a guarantee of success or profit. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER.