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Massive coaching news should give Illinois basketball a boost entering 2026-27

Illinois basketball could benefit from a summer bombshell that was dropped on the college game.
ByRees Woodcock|
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Mar 26, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts after the game in a Sweet Sixteen game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
Mar 26, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts after the game in a Sweet Sixteen game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images | Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

We are in the middle of June, so the Illinois basketball team shouldn’t be getting much news right now.

There isn’t anything going on with recruiting, so Brad Underwood and the Illini coaching staff are getting ready to storm into the upcoming 2026-27 campaign, looking to at least get back to the Final Four.

A coaching bombshell that was dropped on Monday could give Illinois a nice little jolt to help us get back to near the pinnacle of the game.

It was first reported by Shams Charania that Michigan head coach Dusty May is departing Ann Arbor and will be heading to the Dallas Mavericks to be their next head coach.

This move makes all the sense in the world. May has been with the Wolverines for a couple of seasons, and he just won a national championship. There is nothing else he needs to prove in Ann Arbor.

On top of the accomplishments May already has at Michigan, he now has a chance to coach Cooper Flagg. This kid is coming off a Rookie of the Year campaign, and he is nowhere near his prime. That is something that is a rare thing for a coach, and May gets that opportunity.

For Illinois, this was music to my ears. Michigan was a dumpster fire before May took over. In two seasons, he made the Sweet 16 and won the national championship. This included a Big Ten Tournament title in year one and a regular season crown last season.

Before May was hired, the Illini had won eight straight against Michigan. We were only 1-1 against the Wolverines under May, and this past season, they beat us soundly 84-70.

So, needless to say, I am excited that May is out of the Big Ten. He is a great coach, and you could make the argument the best coach in the country.

Illinois doesn’t have to go head-to-head with May anymore. That alone is a relief. On top of that, we were projected to be the No. 2 team in the Big Ten this season. Michigan was the No. 1 team. I think those rankings are likely to change with May out of the fold.

Illinois basketball only has one matchup with the now-wounded Michigan Wolverines for the 2026-27 season

After the news broke that Michigan would be sans-Dusty May for this upcoming season, I looked at the Big Ten opponents for Illinois. Sadly, we only face the Wolverines once in Ann Arbor.

That matchup might end up featuring an interim head coach. It is reported by Pete Nakos of On3.com that Michigan is going to move Mike Boynton Jr. to interim head coach for the time being.

I think there is a legit chance that tag sticks throughout the season. It is pretty late in the game for a head coaching search, but with the dollars Michigan has to throw around, who knows where the chips will fall. I do know that Juwan Howard is available if they want a reunion. I know I would enjoy seeing that.

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