1+ hour, 48+ min ago  (469+ words) A healthy number of high-major recruits played high school basketball at a prestigious academy (Montverde Academy, IMG Academy, Prolific Prep, Brewster Academy, etc.). Those who didn't almost always played for a shoe-circuit AAU program (Nike EYBL, Adidas 3SSB, etc.).But not…...

2+ day, 22+ hour ago  (473+ words) For two straight games, Illinois" (21-5, 12-3 Big Ten) defense didn"t just struggle. It too often allowed opponents to play in comfort. The season-long numbers reinforce a grim tale: Even after the Indiana game is factored in, Illinois ranks 365th nationally in…...

1+ week, 2+ day ago  (561+ words) Once a college basketball team enters the top five of any rankings, upward movement " even incremental movement " becomes incredibly tough to come by. Not only does a club have to keep winning, but it very likely needs a squad (or…...

1+ week, 2+ day ago  (232+ words) At 6-foot-9 and 250 pounds, Illinois freshman David Mirkovic has been described at times as a point forward. A point guard in his younger days, Mirkovic clearly has (some) of the skills and instincts that usually come with the package. But…...

1+ week, 5+ day ago  (431+ words) Two drastically different worlds are set to collide on Saturday night in East Lansing, Michigan (7 p.m. CT, FOX). Illinois, at the highest of highs, is riding a 12-game win streak and playing better basketball than arguably any squad in Division I…...

2+ week, 21+ hour ago  (253+ words) Tonight will be a strange one at the Fiserv Forum. Especially for players like Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu, it could prove hard to stay focused during this evening's battle. Each has been mentioned repeatedly as a trade candidate over…...

2+ week, 1+ day ago  (398+ words) The Chicago Bears' 2025 breakout season clarified one thing entering the offseason: Ryan Poles' rebuild is over. The Bears are actually good. Like, Divisional Round good. Now, for Poles to take Chicago from good to great, he must attack one position…...

2+ week, 2+ day ago  (461+ words) It may only be the first week of February, but Chicago Bears fans already have a pretty good idea of what direction GM Ryan Poles is likely to go in with his early-round picks in the 2026 NFL draft. ESPN's Matt…...

2+ week, 4+ day ago  (451+ words) If you win the rebounding battle, you win the game. That's what practically every coach in basketball will tell you. Although the notion tends to hold true, it's not an iron-clad rule. In Illinois' previous defeat " which feels like ages…...

2+ week, 4+ day ago  (469+ words) Exactly 50 days to the minute separates Illinois" first matchup with Nebraska on Dec. 13 " a gut-wrenching three-point loss for the Illini " and the club"s opportunity to exact revenge on the Cornhuskers on Feb. 1 (3 p.m. CT, FS1). In the time since, the two…...