Illinois Fighting Illini News

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Friday, April 17, 2026
Stojakovic Announces Return to Illini

Andrej Stojakovic will return to Illinois in 2026-27.

Brad Underwood's simple roster retention pitch paid off as well as it possibly could have

Illinois head coach Brad Underwood may have known what he was doing when he pitched the idea for his players to return for another season.

Long-time Illinois basketball fan favorite adds his name to the transfer portal

A fan favorite's tenure in Champaign has officially come to an end after announcing their entry into the transfer portal.

Ty Rodgers departure from Illinois basketball is best for both parties

A tumultuous past two seasons for Ty Rodgers has carried a ton of weight for why he is departing the Illinois basketball program.

Thursday, April 16, 2026
Big Ten Volleyball Tournament to Debut in November 2026

The inaugural conference tournament will run from Nov. 20-25 in Fishers, Ind.

The newest John Blackwell contender might be the scariest competition for Illinois yet

The Illinois Fighting Illini are on the brink of landing transfer guard John Blackwell, but steep competition continues to throw its hat in the ring.

Literal biggest luxury says no to the transfer portal, returns to Illinois basketball

Illinois basketball has a great team coming back, and we got even deeper with a huge player not heading to the transfer portal.

Grit and guts is back for Illinois basketball, as transfer portal spurned again

Illinois basketball is getting so much talent back, as the bench just go deeper with a huge announcement.

Illinois baseball freshman continues hot start with record-breaking effort vs. SIUE

The Illinois baseball team found itself a gem to play first base who just smashed his way into the record books.

Key Illinois basketball mustache announces return, avoids transfer portal

Illinois basketball had a great Wednesday, as a key starter avoided the transfer portal and returned to the team.

Ivisic Twins, Davis Returning for Illini

Tomislav and Zvonimir Ivisic and Jake Davis will return to Illinois in 2026-27.

Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Report: Tomislav Ivisic, Zvonimir Ivisic, Jake Davis announce return to Illinois

On the same day, Illinois fan favorite David Mirkovic announced his return to the Illinois program for his Sophomore campaign, the ‘Original Balkan’, his brother and ‘Honorary Balkan’ did the...

Massive 4-star recruit puts Illinois football in elite company for a commitment

Illinois football is one step closer to landing a massive recruit, as we are now in the top four for his commitment.

Superstar guard dropped some major Illinois basketball news at morning workout

The young core of the Illinois basketball team is slowly making their intentions known for next season, with their superstar point guard making her announcement Tuesday morning

Illinois basketball defies transfer portal trend to keep massive piece for 2026-27

The Illinois basketball team is making a splash on Wednesday, as the Illini were able to retain one of the best players in the country and avoid the transfer portal.

Mirkovic Announces Return to Illini

Illini forward David Mirkovic will return to Illinois in 2026-27.

Brad Underwood and Illinois get the news they were waiting for from David Mirkovic

The Illinois Fighting Illini and head coach Brad Underwood finally received a long-awaited update from freshman forward David Mirkovic.

Fan favorite David Mirkovic returning to Illinois

#TheRetention has officially kicked off. Wednesday morning, the freshman forward went live on Twitch to deliver the news the Illini faithful had been nervously waiting for: that he’s gonna be back...

CBS writer gives Illinois yet another reason to go all-in for John Blackwell

John Blackwell could give Illinois the extra edge it needs to get back to the Final Four next season.

Illinois staff travels to meet priority transfer John Blackwell

The Illinois staff flew out to Los Angeles earlier this week to meet with top transfer target John Blackwell. Blackwell has been working out in Los Angeles all week and took an official visit to...

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Kickin’ For Chicken Presented by Chick-fil-A Returns to Gies Memorial Stadium on May 7

 Illinois students offered chance to kick for free season tickets.

Illinois basketball poking around transfer portal market for a point guard

The Illinois basketball team is checking in on different transfer portal targets, and it shows we are still eyeing point guard talent.

Projected Illinois basketball lineup with the Stefan Vaaks transfer portal addition

Illinois basketball a ton of talent heading into next season, and over the weekend, we added a huge transfer portal piece that sets us up for success.

Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Former Illinois golf star finishes Masters run with hope for the future

Augusta National has been a thorn in many golfers' sides, but this former Illinois golf star figured out a way to make the most of it.

Duke isn’t the only blue blood obstructing Brad Underwood’s path to John Blackwell

Illinois appeared to be in a two-horse race for John Blackwell, but a UCLA visit is complicating Brad Underwood's pursuit.

Illinois Set to Host 2026 NCAA Men's Gymnastics Championships

The NCAA Championships will take place from April 17-18 at State Farm Center.

Monday, April 13, 2026
Illinois basketball sharpshooter avoids the transfer portal, returns for 2026-27

Shauna Green and the Illinois basketball team continues to make waves this offseason with their veteran sharpshooter announcing her intentions to return to the program.

Key cog explains Illinois basketball passion a big reason for recruiting success

The European recruiting market has been huge for the Illinois basketball program, and the fanbase has a big part in the process.

One major reason the Kamden Lopati recruiting flip won’t hurt Illinois football

Kamden Lopati hurt Illinois football fans, but his flip away from his commitment shouldn't hurt the program too much.

OV pics a sign for Bret Bielema snagging Oregon 3-star EDGE from a few Big Ten teams

This three-star prospect from Oregon looked pretty good in Illinois' blue and orange after his official visit with the Fighting Illini and Bret Bielema.

How Illinois is already building its 2026-27 roster

This was one of the most memorable Illinois seasons in recent memory. But with the offseason already in full swing, what’s next? Scholarship-wise, each team is allowed up to 15 scholarships. Three...

Sunday, April 12, 2026
Illinois 2026 offseason transfer portal updates

Let this be your place to go for updates in the portal this offseason as Illinois looks to reload after a run to the Final Four. April 12: Illinois adds transfer Stefan Vaaks from Providence April...

Report: Illinois adds top transfer guard Stefan Vaaks

And we’re off. Illinois’ offseason in the transfer portal started with a bang on Sunday afternoon when the Illini got a commitment from Providence guard Stefan Vaaks, according to multiple...

Transfer portal delivers Illinois basketball crucial centerpiece

Illinois basketball needed to respond to the Keaton Wagler departure, and Brad Underwood managed to snag one of the best transfer portal players available.

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...

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