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Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood and guard Andrej Stojakovic (2) celebrate 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

Projected Illinois basketball lineup for 2026-27 before the transfer portal and NBA

Rees Woodcock

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Apr 7, 2026

Sports media giant gives Illinois basketball high praise entering 2026-27

Kellen Sherman

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Apr 7, 2026

The Illinois basketball offseason blueprint

Pleas Honeywood

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Apr 7, 2026

3 dream transfers Brad Underwood needs to target with the portal finally open

Josh Yourish

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Apr 7, 2026

Mar 21, 2026; Greenville, SC, USA; VCU Rams guard Terrence Hill Jr. (6) shoots as Illinois Fighting Illini guard Andrej Stojakovic (2) and forward Ben Humrichous (3) defend in the second half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Early transfer portal wish list for the Illinois basketball program

Rees Woodcock

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Apr 7, 2026

Illinois Fighting Illini fans listen Saturday, April 4, 2026, as the national anthem is sang during a Final Four game against the UConn Huskies at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Illinois basketball guard helps put on a show during Final Four opening ceremony

Kellen Sherman

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Apr 6, 2026

Apr 4, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts after a play against the UConn Huskies during the first half of a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Brad Underwood has Illinois basketball fans ready to run through a brick wall

Kellen Sherman

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Apr 6, 2026

Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood leads a team huddle Saturday, March 21, 2026, during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament second round game against the VCU Rams at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina.

Illinois basketball players who seem destined for the transfer portal

Rees Woodcock

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Apr 6, 2026

Mar 13, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kylan Boswell (4) defends Wisconsin Badgers guard John Blackwell (25)during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Huge transfer portal legacy guard could put Illinois basketball over the top

Rees Woodcock

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Apr 6, 2026

Apr 3, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood directs players during a practice session ahead of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament.

Illinois basketball 2026 Transfer Portal tracker: Brad Underwood's title run starts now

Sam Fariss

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Apr 6, 2026

Apr 4, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts after a play against the UConn Huskies during the first half of a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Former top recruit could be excellent transfer portal fit for Illinois basketball

Pleas Honeywood

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Apr 6, 2026

Oregon forward Ehis Etute, right, is fouled by Illinois forward Naomi Benson as the Oregon Ducks host the Illinois Fighting Illini on Feb. 4, 2026, at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Oregon.

Illinois basketball says goodbye to another transfer portal departure

Kellen Sherman

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Apr 6, 2026

Brad Underwood, Illinois Fighting Illini

Illinois fans cannot help but give Brad Underwood his flowers for an amazing season

John Buhler

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Apr 5, 2026

Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood applauds during practice ahead of a Final Four game on Friday, April 3, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Brad Underwood fighting tears after Final Four loss makes things even more heartbreaking

Sam Fariss

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Apr 5, 2026

UConn Huskies head coach Dan Hurley gets after his team with Illinois guard Keaton Wagler in the foreground during a Final Four game against the Fighting Illini.

Illinois was up against these impossible odds, and nearly pulled it off

Sam Fariss

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Apr 5, 2026

Apr 4, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Tomislav Ivisic (13) reacts after losing to the Connecticut Huskies during a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Dave Portnoy both left-handed congratulated and trolled Illinois at the same time

Ericka Brockish

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Apr 5, 2026

Apr 4, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini Keaton Wagler (23) dribbles the ball against UConn Huskies Silas Demary Jr. (2) during the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

Despite heartbreaking loss, Keaton Wagler still managed to make history vs. UConn

Sam Fariss

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Apr 5, 2026

Illinois Fighting Illini guard Andrej Stojakovic (2)

Brad Underwood's toughest offseason recruiting effort may have started in the postgame presser

Josh Yourish

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Apr 5, 2026

Feb 24, 2026; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Jasper Johnson (2) drives around South Carolina Gamecocks guard Meechie Johnson (5) during the second half at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

Illinois basketball has the perfect transfer portal option to replace Keaton Wagler

Rees Woodcock

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Apr 5, 2026

Apr 2, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois head coach Brad Underwood during a press conference ahead of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

5 interesting Brad Underwood quotes from the Illinois basketball loss to UConn

Rees Woodcock

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Apr 5, 2026

Fans cheer for Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood as he leaves the court following practice ahead of a Final Four game on Friday, April 3, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Illinois basketball has proof of concept despite tough loss to UConn

Rees Woodcock

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Apr 5, 2026

Apr 4, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini players react from the bench against the Connecticut Huskies in the second half during a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Illinois's final trip to the locker room is heartbreaking for Illini fans

Ericka Brockish

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Apr 4, 2026

Apr 4, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts after a play against the UConn Huskies during the first half of a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

UConn curse on Illinois basketball looks to be deeper than first thought

Rees Woodcock

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Apr 4, 2026

Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood

Brad Underwood sent the perfect postgame Final four message to Illini fans

Josh Yourish

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Apr 4, 2026

Apr 4, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) goes to the basket against UConn Huskies guard Silas Demary Jr. (2) in the second half during a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Illinois basketball fell to Dan Hurley's UConn squad due to one crucial stat

Rees Woodcock

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Apr 4, 2026

UConn Huskies head coach Dan Hurley

Dan Hurley used Illinois’s biggest advantage against Brad Underwood in the Final Four

Josh Yourish

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Apr 4, 2026

Apr 4, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Tomislav Ivisic (13) reacts after losing to the Connecticut Huskies during a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

5 sad observations from the Illinois basketball loss to UConn in the Final Four

Rees Woodcock

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Apr 4, 2026

Apr 4, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; UConn Huskies head coach Dan Hurley celebrates after defeating the Illinois Fighting Illini in a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Dan Hurley trolls Illinois fans in weak move right after UConn's Final Four win

Braulio Perez

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Apr 4, 2026

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