Illinois - Sports News, Headlines & Highlights
Illinois G Andrej Stojakovic announces return for 2026-27 season
Illinois standout guard Andrej Stojakovic said Friday he is returning to the Fighting Illini for the 2026-27 season.,Stojakovic posted the news on his Instagram account, asking, "Did I make you nervous?" In an attached video, he lowers a newspaper then lowers his sunglasses and says, "I'm back.",His...
Reports: Breakout Providence frosh Stefan Vaaks headed to Illinois
Estonian guard Stefan Vaaks will transfer from Providence to Illinois, according to multiple reports Sunday.,Vaaks had a standout freshman season for an otherwise disappointing Friars team that finished 15-18. He averaged 15.8 points, 3.2 assists and 2.5 rebounds per contest across 31 games (22 star...
Illinois freshman G Keaton Wagler to declare for NBA draft
Illinois freshman guard Keaton Wagler, a consensus second-team All-American, will declare for the NBA Draft, he said on social media on Saturday.,Wagler, projected as a lottery pick in the draft, led the Fighting Illini to a 28-9 record and their first Final Four since 2005.,"This past year has been...
Huskies bark, bite as 'underdog,' bury Illinois again
INDIANAPOLIS -- A gift, and not one UConn coach Dan Hurley saw coming, became fuel for the Huskies long before the team bus pulled up to Lucas Oil Stadium early Saturday afternoon. ,From Hurley's vantage point, the overall national narrative wrote UConn into the Final Four as the underdog against an...
UConn muscles through Illini, set for title shot at Final Four
INDIANAPOLIS -- UConn acted like the team that belonged and the Huskies are headed back to the national championship game after controlling Illinois start to finish in a 71-62 win Saturday at the Final Four.,Tarris Reed Jr. had 17 points and 11 rebounds and freshman Braylon Mullins had a huge first ...
Illinois vs. History: Illini Fans Brace for Another March Madness Heartbreak
Illinois enters the Final Four carrying decades of March Madness heartbreak and hope....
Illinois basks in Final Four moment, intent on clipping UConn
INDIANAPOLIS -- Forgive Brad Underwood if he takes an extra beat to appreciate the novelty of his weekend surroundings as Illinois returns to the Final Four for the first time since 2005.,Ready and waiting, perhaps unimpressed by the pomp and circumstance on the periphery of a third trip to the Fina...
Final Four a reality thanks to 'International Illini'
INDIANAPOLIS -- Illinois head coach Brad Underwood signed All-American Keaton Wagler without seeing him play. He trusted assistant Geoff Alexander to assemble the "Balkan Bloc" of international talent. And a hometown guard who left for Arizona came back to help complete the puzzle. ,That's the Cliff...
Why Illinois Is the Most Dangerous Team in the Final Four
Illinois reaches its first Final Four in 21 years behind rebounding, defense and quiet confidence. Can the Illini win it all?...
Michigan, Illinois open as Final Four favorites, but Arizona for title
UConn's dramatic last-second upset of Duke on Sunday played right into the hands of Arizona and Michigan, at least in the eyes of oddsmakers.,The two remaining No. 1 seeds will do battle in Saturday night's second Final Four matchup in Indianapolis, and the winner is expected to be heavily favored t...
No. 3 Illinois outlasts conference rival Iowa to head back to Final Four
HOUSTON -- Freshman Keaton Wagler scored a game-high 25 points, Andrej Stojakovic added 17 off the bench, and third-seeded Illinois secured its first Final Four berth in 21 years with a 71-59 victory over Big Ten rival Iowa on Saturday in the South Region final of the NCAA Tournament.,Illinois (28-8...
Iowa-Illinois interrupted for 11 minutes due to horn
HOUSTON -- The NCAA Tournament South Region final between ninth-seeded Iowa and third-seeded Illinois on Saturday experienced an extended delay when the horn stuck with 7:43 remaining in the first half and the Hawkeyes leading 22-20.,The delay lasted more than 10 minutes, and when the game resumed, ...