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Illinois head coach Brad Underwood claps from the sidelines during an NCAA college basketball game between Tennessee and Illinois at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center, Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023.

UConn's serious injury issues could just be the edge Illinois needs in the Final Four

Sam Fariss

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Apr 3, 2026

Illinois basketball just put the discussion of Chicago’s Big Ten team to bed

Rees Woodcock

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Apr 2, 2026

UConn’s biggest NCAA Tournament struggle will play right into Brad Underwood’s hands

Josh Yourish

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Apr 2, 2026

Keaton Wagler and David Mirkovic can dunk, they just haven't yet

Sam Fariss

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Apr 2, 2026

Feb 14, 2019; Columbus, OH, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood (right) gets a hug from Athletic Director Josh Whitman after defeating the Ohio State Buckeyes.

This story from Illinois's last Final 4 will have fans falling in love with their AD

Sam Fariss

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Apr 2, 2026

Dec 21, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Stephen A. Smith waves to the crowd while walking the field before the game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Stephen A. Smith is on the Illinois bandwagon with everyone doubting Brad Underwood

Sam Fariss

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Apr 2, 2026

July 19, 2025; North Augusta, South Carolina, USA; Brad Beal Elite Quentin Coleman (1) gestures to a teammate as Team Durant Evans Barning Jr. (7) defends during the Brad Beal Elite and Team Durant game at the Nike EYBL Peach Jam at Riverview Park Activity Center. Brad Beal Elite won 91-59. Mandatory Credit: Katie Goodale - Augusta Chronicle/USA TODAY NETWORK

Top Illinois basketball recruit took in the sights and sounds of Champaign

Kellen Sherman

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Apr 2, 2026

Mar 13, 2026; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self watches player intros prior to the game against the Houston Cougars at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images

Former Illinois basketball head coach not ready to hang up the clipboard

Rees Woodcock

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Apr 1, 2026

Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood celebrates with guard Kylan Boswell (4) after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes in an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Brad Underwood delivers 7 words that will energize the Illinois basketball fans

Rees Woodcock

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Apr 1, 2026

Kylan Boswell, Keaton Wagler, Illinois Fighting Illini

Illinois knows what team it would want in national championship game after UConn win

John Buhler

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Apr 1, 2026

Brad Underwood, Illinois Fighting Illini

Illinois fans should be thinking 2005 heading into Final Four with cautious optimism

John Buhler

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Apr 1, 2026

Mar 26, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) shoots the ball against Houston Cougars forward Kalifa Sakho (14) in the second half during the Sweet Sixteen.

The Sweet 16 and Elite Eight all but ensured Keaton Wagler is one-and-done at Illinois

Sam Fariss

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Apr 1, 2026

Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) speaks to media after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Elite Eight.

Brad Underwood's Keaton Wagler pickup may have been the steal of the entire NIL era

Sam Fariss

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Apr 1, 2026

Nov 28, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kylan Boswell (4) reacts after getting fouled in the second half against the UConn Huskies at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

3 keys for Illinois basketball to get revenge on UConn in the Final Four

Rees Woodcock

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Apr 1, 2026

Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) looks on in the second half against the Illinois Fighting Illini during an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

An army had to save Illinois basketball star freshman from a wet battle

Kellen Sherman

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Apr 1, 2026

Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood speaks in a press conference after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Elite Eight.

Brad Underwood can't let team start by getting 'punched in the mouth' against UConn

Sam Fariss

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Mar 31, 2026

Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) reacts in the first half against the Iowa Hawkeyes during an Elite Eight game of the South Regional.

Keaton Wagler and David Mirković dominate jersey sales with Illini headed to Final 4

Sam Fariss

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Mar 31, 2026

Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kylan Boswell (4) and guard Andrej Stojakovic (2) and forward Ben Humrichous (3) and guard Keaton Wagler (23) react in the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes during an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Transfer portal has come up clutch in the Illinois basketball Final Four run

Kellen Sherman

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Mar 30, 2026

Nov 28, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) collides with UConn Huskies guard Malachi Smith (0) in the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

One glaring stat Illinois basketball needs to correct in the Final Four vs UConn

Rees Woodcock

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Mar 30, 2026

Nov 28, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) looks to drive past UConn Huskies guard Solo Ball (1) in the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Illinois basketball vs UConn how to watch, series history, and players to watch in Final Four

Rees Woodcock

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Mar 30, 2026

Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood celebrates after cutting down the net after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes in an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Illinois basketball joins elite company with historic Final Four berth

Kellen Sherman

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Mar 30, 2026

Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) speaks to media after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes in an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Illinois needs to walk into the Final Four vs UConn with the memory of a goldfish

Rees Woodcock

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Mar 29, 2026

Mar 7, 2026; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies guard Neoklis Avdalas (17) shoots the ball as Virginia Cavaliers guard Dallin Hall (30) defends in the first half at John Paul Jones Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Illinois basketball has a possible transfer portal target hit the open market

Kellen Sherman

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Mar 29, 2026

Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood talks with an official in the first half against the Iowa Hawkeyes during an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

The most annoying noise in the world wasn't stopping Illinois basketball from Final 4

Kellen Sherman

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Mar 29, 2026

Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) speaks to media after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Elite Eight.

Illinois can't let its history vs. UConn change its mindset for the Final Four

Sam Fariss

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Mar 29, 2026

Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) and center Tomislav Ivisic (13) react in the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes during an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Illinois basketball star continues to show why he is one of a kind

Kellen Sherman

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Mar 29, 2026

Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood celebrates after cutting down the net after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes in an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Brad Underwood's authorship at Illinois is exorcising even more demons this March

Pleas Honeywood

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Mar 29, 2026

Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood speaks in a press conference after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Elite Eight.

Illinois vs. UConn Final Four odds provide the extra belief Brad Underwood needed

Sam Fariss

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Mar 29, 2026

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