Illinois Fighting Illini News

Home NCAAF Illinois Fighting Illini
Affiliate links — we may earn a commission. Learn more
Sunday, April 12, 2026
The Champaign Room wants YOU to join our team!

The Champaign Room is planning its coverage for the 2026-27 athletic seasons, and you can join us! In order to continue making TCR the best place on the Internet for free Illinois Fighting Illini...

What would transfer Stefan Vaaks bring to Illinois?

So, Illinois fans, are you ready to ride the cosmic roller coaster of Portal SZN? No? Well, it’s too late now. You already clicked on this article, and there is analysis forthcoming. The Illini do...

Illinois eyeing an unconventional transfer portal replacement for Keaton Wagler

While the Illinois basketball team lost one of the best players in program history on Saturday, there is a transfer portal option who would be a great replacement.

Brad Underwood is turning the Illinois basketball program into Guard U

In the Brad Underwood era of Illinois basketball, Champaign has turned into a destination for talented guard play.

Illinois basketball landed a big fish for their first transfer portal signing

The elite young roster from last season just got even better, as the Illinois basketball team has signed an elite transfer portal guard from the SEC.

Saturday, April 11, 2026
Wagler Declares for NBA Draft

Illini All-American Keaton Wagler has declared for the 2026 NBA Draft.

Illinois’ Keaton Wagler declares for NBA Draft

He’s off to the NBA (most likely). Illinois freshman Keaton Wagler declared for the NBA Draft on Saturday, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Wagler had one of the great freshman seasons in...

Roosimagi Breaks 37-Year-Old Javelin School Record on Final Day of Illini Deca-Jam

Jane Roosimagi now owns the program record in the javelin with her 52.65m (172-9) toss in her event win today

NBA Draft news gives Illinois basketball expected gut punch

Illinois basketball is having our backcourt gutted, as expected NBA Draft news broke on Saturday night.

Bret Bielema skeptical of projected flip of top Illinois football commit

The Illinois football program may be in for a rude awakening if this recruit flips to their conference rival.

Transfer portal snags Illinois basketball fresh face before he hits the court

Illinois basketball has now lost two players to the transfer portal on Saturday, as a player who didn't see the court has departed.

Illinois basketball transfer portal target could be solution to depleted backcourt

Brad Underwood will be big game hunting this offseason, and this dynamic guard could be a great fit in the Illinois basketball backcourt.

Failed Illinois offseason addition comes to a predictable transfer portal end

Illinois basketball added a ton of talent last season, but one of het additions is now entering the transfer portal.

Report: Illinois’ Mihailo Petrovic enters transfer portal

Illinois guard Mihailo Petrovic has entered the transfer portal, per Draft Express’ Jonathan Givony on X. Petrovic played in 19 games for the Illini this past season and ultimately saw his minutes...

Friday, April 10, 2026
10 players who could help Illinois win the transfer portal

‘Tis the season for words like “bag” and “speed dating” in reference to college hoops portal activity. The Illini are always an ever-present force in Portal Kombat. Whether it’s their most...

The long-awaited Illinois renaissance is here. Embrace it.

This piece is dedicated to Illinois alumni. If you have ever called the University of Illinois home, I am writing this to let you know that I hear you. This run to the Final Four was amazing. Many...

Former Illinois basketball star goes off in a huge night in the NBA

An Illinois basketball legend reminded everyone what he can do when given the opportunity

Illinois basketball ready for battle vs a blue blood for huge transfer portal talent

The Illinois basketball team needs to rebuild for 2026-27, and now we are going up against a massive blue blood in the transfer portal.

Thursday, April 9, 2026
Wagler First Illini Freshman Named Consensus All-American

Wagler is the first freshman in school history to be named a Consensus All-American.

Brad Underwood eyes Kylan Boswell 2.0 for Illinois basketball in the transfer portal

Illinois basketball had a nasty guard in Kylan Boswell this season, and now Brad Underwood could get us in the hunt for Boswell 2.0.

NBA All-Star gives his blessing to Illinois basketball commit

Illinois basketball has a ton of talent coming into the program, and one now has the blessing from a multi-time NBA All-Star.

Illinois sign former five star Divine Bourrage

The transfer portal season is starting to heat up with the madness of the tournament ending. Illinois has already lost two players to the portal in Hayven Smith and Naomi Benson.  Now, tides have...

Illinois basketball locks in another official visit for 2026

The Illinois basketball team wants to build out the roster even more for 2026, and that is why it is exciting to get another official visit.

Illini Add Sophomore Transfer Divine Bourrage

Bourrage marks the third five-star recruit on the roster for 2026-27.

Illinois makes short list of teams without transfer losses 2 days into the portal

Brad Underwood and the Illinois Fighting Illini have done an incredible job with recruiting and retention after their appearance in the Final Four.

Illinois QB Luke Altmyer doing everything he can to climb NFL Draft boards

Former Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer isn't missing out on an opportunity to prove his worth ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Illinois’s projected lineup if it lands John Blackwell would have Final Four written all over it

Brad Underwood is looking to pluck John Blackwell out of the portal, and if he does, the Illini could be Final Four favorites.

Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Brad Underwood must go all-in for John Blackwell and keep him away from this school

John Blackwell is one of the top players on the market this offseason, so Illinois will need to pay up to get him to Champaign.

Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Projected Illinois basketball lineup for 2026-27 before the transfer portal and NBA

Illinois basketball has a ton of talent on the roster, but the transfer portal and NBA Draft is bearing down on the program.

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

The Illinois basketball team had a special season in 2025, and this sports media giant thinks they will continue to roll in 2026.

The Illinois basketball offseason blueprint

Brad Underwood has Illinois basketball riding high, but like other offseasons, this one will be crucial in sustaining the great success.

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

Brad Underwood has Illinois back in the national title conversation, but to stay there, he'll need to nail the offseason again.

Early transfer portal wish list for the Illinois basketball program

Illinois basketball has plenty of options out there, and the transfer portal should bear fruit.

Monday, April 6, 2026
Illinois basketball guard helps put on a show during Final Four opening ceremony

Prior to Illinois' Final Four matchup vs. UConn on Saturday, a member of the women's basketball team lent her voice to an emotional opening ceremony.

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

Illinois basketball lost a heartbreaker in Indianapolis on Saturday night, and it led to an emotional speech by Brad Underwood that has fans inspired.

Illinois basketball players who seem destined for the transfer portal

The Illinois basketball team is now transitioning to the offseason, and there are some players who seem destined for the transfer portal.

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

Illinois basketball has a great opportunity to bring a legacy player back in the fold through the transfer portal.

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

An up-to-date tracker on which Illinois players have transferred, who the Illini have recruited from the portal, and the athletes heading to the NBA Draft.

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

The transfer portal is now heating up for the Illinois basketball team, as a former top recruit is back on the market

Illinois basketball says goodbye to another transfer portal departure

The frontcourt of the women's Illinois basketball program has taken a hit with another member of the team deciding to head for the transfer portal.

Sunday, April 5, 2026
Illinois fans cannot help but give Brad Underwood his flowers for an amazing season

Although the Illinois Fighting Illini's season came to a heartbreaking end on Saturday night to the UConn Huskies in the Final Four, people abound were more than willing to give head coach Brad...

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

Illinois head coach Brad Underwood was openly emotional after the Fighting Illini suffered their defeat in the Final Four at the hands of the UConn Huskies.

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

The Illinois Fighting Illini were up against steep competition no matter who they faced in the Final Four, but UConn may have genuinely been the cream of the crop.

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

Is it really a compliment if it also feels like an insult?

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

The Illinois Fighting Illini were devastated by the UConn Huskies last night, but star freshman Keaton Wagler was still able to pull off something incredible.

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

Brad Underwood doesn't want Illinois to have another 21-year Final Four drought, and if he wants to go back next season, portal retention will be key.

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

Losing Keaton Wagler to the NBA is going to be tough, but there is now a great transfer portal option for the Illinois basketball program to replace the star freshman.

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

Illinois basketball suffered a disappointing loss in the Final Four, and Brad Underwood took questions after the game.

Illinois basketball has proof of concept despite tough loss to UConn

Illinois basketball fell short in the Final Four, but the proof of concept is there for the Illini moving forward.

Saturday, April 4, 2026
Illinois's final trip to the locker room is heartbreaking for Illini fans

That last walk to the locker room is always the longest and the hardest.

Scroll to Top

Chicago Sports Wire is an independent editorial site. Some posts contain affiliate links — see our Affiliate Disclosure for details. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, WNBA, NWSL, NCAA, or any of their member teams. All team names, logos, and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

About · Privacy Policy · Terms of Service · Affiliate Disclosure · DMCA

Part of Sports Wire Network →