blog posts Athletic director search officially underway Dec 4, 2015 11:45 am The new hire will be the U. of I.’s 14th director of intercollegiate athletics in the program’s 126 years of competition, overseeing an annual budget of $110 million and a staff of 275 employees. 1,750 wins and counting for Illini basketball Dec 6, 2016 9:00 am Saturday's Fighting Illini win over VCU at the Hoophall Miami Invitational was the 1,750th in program history. Men's Basketball game notes: Illini vs Austin Peay tonight Dec 6, 2017 9:30 am The Illini return to non-conference play following a pair of Big Ten games last weekend, hosting Austin Peay on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at State Farm Center Volleyball: Match times set for NCAA Austin Regional Dec 7, 2021 9:30 am Match times have been released for the NCAA Volleyball Austin Regional, with the Illinois volleyball team set to play No. 10 seed Nebraska at 8:30 p.m. CT on Thursday (December 9). The match will be televised on ESPNU. Big Ten home opener tonight for Illini Women's Basketball Dec 7, 2022 2:15 pm Shauna Green is the first coach in Women's Basketball program history to open her Illinois career with a 3-0 start, and pushed the new mark a 6-0 start. The Illini take on Rutgers tonight at 7pm (State Farm Center). Illini whallop Duke in ACC/Big Ten Challenge Dec 9, 2020 8:45 am The balanced attack by the Illini featured six players scoring in double figures, led by Ayo Dosunmu's 18 points on 6-of-11 shooting from the field. He also pulled down 12 rebounds in the win. Illini Men's Basketball fights off feisty Yale Bulldogs, 69-65 Dec 10, 2015 10:45 am Kendrick Nunn scored 18 of his career-high 28 points in the second half and Malcolm Hillfinished with 20 Wednesday night to help Illinois beat Yale 69-65. Cockburn named Big Ten Freshman of the Week tor third time Dec 10, 2019 8:45 am Cockburn earns the award after averaging 16 points and 6 rebounds while shooting 80% from the field (12-15) and nearly 89% from the line (8-9) in a pair of games last week. Illini Women's Basketball: Tough loss in Big Ten opener at Nebraska Dec 11, 2020 9:00 am Fighting Illini women's basketball opened Big Ten play Thursday at Nebraska, narrowly falling to the host Cornhuskers, 78-72, at Pinnacle Bank Arena despite five Illini players scoring in double digits. Massey named Preseason All-American by Collegiate Baseball Dec 18, 2018 9:00 am Michael Massey was the nation's top defensive second baseman last year, earning the ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove Award, and is one of the top returning hitters in the Big Ten Football Signing Day Central Dec 19, 2018 10:45 am Track the Signing Day roster and meet the new Fighting Illini Braggin' rights at stake tonight in St. Louis Dec 22, 2022 9:15 am Illinois has an 8-1 non-conference record with two games remaining. Illinois is aiming to finish the non-conference with just one loss for the first time in 10 years, since going 13-1 prior to Big Ten play in 2012-13. Dosunmu drops 30 in Illini's road win over Penn State Dec 24, 2020 11:15 am The Fighting Illini defeated Penn State, 98-81, Wednesday night in State College behind 30 points from Ayo Dosunmu. Illinois was down 19-4 early until Kofi Cockburn took over - scoring 16 first-half points on a perfect 8-of-8 shooting. Second-half comeback pushes Illini past Northwestern Jan 8, 2021 8:00 am The story of the game was the Illini outscoring Northwestern 53-13 in the second half, with their offense coming alive and their defense stifling the Wildcats. Kofi Cockurn recorded his third consecutive double-double. Illinois' Emery Parker is Big Ten Wrestler of the Week Jan 10, 2018 8:30 am 184-pounder won two matches this past weekend, defeating No. 6 Taylor Venz (Nebraska) and No. 18 Mitch Sliga (Northwestern), to help the Illini win both dual meets Men's Basketball vs Michigan in Big Ten home opener tonight Jan 10, 2019 12:15 pm Illinois hosts No. 2 Michigan in Champaign on Thursday night, playing its first Big Ten home game after opening league play with four games away from State Farm Center Holešínská named Big Ten Freshman of the Week Jan 11, 2017 8:00 am Fighting Illini freshman Petra Holešínská has been named Big Ten Freshman of the Week, as announced today by the league office. Women's Basketball's annual Pack the House game, Sunday Jan 13, 2017 1:45 pm Admission is free for all fans, and the Illini will host a Teddy Bear Toss at halftime. Fans are encouraged to bring a new, stuffed toy to toss on the court at halftime as a donation to Toys for Tots. Hill and Nunn: The dynamic duo of Illini men's basketball Jan 14, 2016 10:45 am The Illinois junior duo of Kendrick Nunn and Malcolm Hill rank first and third in the Big Ten in scoring as of Jan. 13 Illinois-Michigan State matchup postponed Jan 14, 2021 8:30 am The Fighting Illini women's basketball team's contest vs. Michigan State, scheduled for Thursday (Jan. 14), has been postponed due to COVID-19-related concerns within the Spartans program. Comia, Hampe named top preseason all-conference team by Perfect Game Jan 22, 2021 9:00 am Illini sophomores Branden Comia and Ryan Hampe were selected to the preseason All-Big Ten Team by Perfect Game on Thursday. Comia was the only underclassmen shortstop in the nation to hit .400+ with an OPS of 1.200+. Nichols has career night in loss to #6 Spartans Jan 23, 2018 8:45 am Illinois sophomore Kipper Nichols scored a career-high 27 points and hit 5-of-8 from behind-the-arc, but it wasn't enough as Michigan State beat the Illini, 87-74 Monday night Illini back at State Farm Center tonight vs. Nebraska Jan 31, 2023 8:45 am Illinois has won six straight over Nebraska, its longest streak in the series since the Cornhuskers joined the Big Ten, and one shy of the Illini's series record seven-game win streak from Jan. 3, 1921 through Dec. 11, 1976. Illinois Football Signing Day coverage Feb 3, 2016 11:30 am Signing Day Central is the only site for official confirmation as each letter of intent is received inside the football complex. Fourth-quarter comeback not enough in Illinois' overtime road loss to Purdue Feb 6, 2024 9:45 am Illinois overcame a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter to force overtime, though the Fighting Illini's valiant effort did not prove to be enough in a 77-72 road loss to Purdue on Monday night. Bezhanishvili, Dosunmu sweep B1G weekly honors Feb 11, 2019 3:15 pm Giorgi Bezhanishvili was named Big Ten Player of the Week and fellow freshman Ayo Dosunmu was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week, the conference announced on Monday Check out the promotions for Illini Softball's 20th season Feb 13, 2019 10:45 am Illinois Softball announced its home game promotions for the 2019 season, including the 20th Season Celebration of Illini Softball on April 20 against Michigan Illini Softball set for ACC/Big Ten Challenge Feb 14, 2020 8:45 am The Illinois softball team (4-0) is travels this weekend to Raleigh, North Carolina for the fifth annual Big Ten/ACC Challenge, hosted by NC State on February 14-16. Illini Volleyball hosts Ohio State at Huff this weekend Feb 19, 2021 9:30 am After a week off due the postponement of both Northwestern matches last week, the Illinois volleyball team returns to action as it hosts Ohio State in a two-match series on Feb. 19-20 in Huff Hall. Illini Softball downs #10 Arkansas in late inning rally Feb 21, 2022 8:45 am The win marks Illinois' first win over a top-10 program since the Illini defeated #6 Minnesota in 2017, and the ninth overall top-10 win in program history. Illini on the road against Penn State tonight Feb 21, 2024 8:15 am Illinois is one win away from its fifth consecutive 20-win season. Coach Brad Underwood looks to become just the second coach in Fighting Illini history with five straight 20-win seasons, joining the legendary Lou Henson. Illini Softball's Vickery named Big Ten Co-Player of the Week Feb 22, 2022 9:00 am After a red-hot weekend at the plate, redshirt sophomore Jaelyn Vickery was named co-B1G Player of the Week. Vickery went 8-for-16 at the plate this weekend with three doubles, two home runs, and four RBIs, plus three steals. This Illini has already qualified for 2020 Olympics. NBC profiles Daniel Romanchuk Feb 26, 2020 8:45 am Romanchuk’s list of accomplishments include winning both the Chicago and New York City marathons. He was the first American to win the men’s wheelchair race in the NYC Marathon. Nunn scores 25 in win against Gophers on senior night Feb 29, 2016 10:00 am In a matter of minutes, Illinois guard Kendrick Nunn helped turn the game around for his team. Men's golf scores first spring victory at the Louisiana Classics Mar 2, 2016 11:45 am Fighting Illini men's golf placed all six individuals among the top-30 at the 31st Annual Louisiana Classics on March 1, on its way to its fourth consecutive Louisiana Classics championship title. Illini second baseman Michael Massey named B1G Player of the Week Mar 7, 2018 10:15 am The sopohomore hit .500 with three doubles during a three-game sweep at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis Fighting Illini Women's Basketball heads to Minneapolis for Big Ten Tournament Mar 7, 2024 8:30 am Heading into the Big Ten Tournament on Thursday, when [9] Illinois squares off with [8] Maryland at 11:30 a.m. CT, Illinois is coming off its most dramatic win of the season, taking down Nebraska on Senior Day. Illini earn No. 9 seed, open NCAA Tourney Thursday vs. No. 8 Arkansas Mar 13, 2023 8:30 am The Illini open their NCAA Tournament run against No. 8 seed Arkansas in the first round on Thursday at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa. Game time is set for 3:30 p.m. CT and will be televised on TBS. Giorgi scores 26 in Illini's first round win in B1G Tournament Mar 14, 2019 8:15 am Bezhanishvili scored 26, Trent Frazier added 21, and Illinois rallied for a 74-69 overtime victory against Northwestern on Wednesday night. Next, the Illini face Iowa tonight (approx. 8:30 pm CT). Women's Basketball opens NCAA Tournament against Mississippi State tonight Mar 15, 2023 8:45 am Illinois has secured the biggest one-year Big Ten win improvement in program history, and for the first time since 2003, the Illini have earned a berth in the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament. Illini Baseball returns home for weekend series vs Illinois State Mar 21, 2019 8:30 am The Illini were riding a seven-game winning streak before a loss Sunday at Saint Louis. Illinois and SLU split a two-game series Tuesday and Wednesday. Illini Softball earns series sweep over Iowa with doubleheader wins Mar 27, 2017 7:00 am With a pair of wins on Sunday at the Bob Pearl Softball Field, the Illinois softball team pushed its winning streak to eight games Fighting Illini Softball hosts SIUE and Indiana State for midweek contests Mar 28, 2023 9:30 am Three games in two days at Eichelberger Field: The Illini face off with the Cougars on Tuesday at 5 p.m. A doubleheader with the Sycamores is slated for 4 p.m. on Wednesday. Illini Softball travels to St. Louis for midweek match up Mar 29, 2022 8:45 am After opening the Big Ten schedule this past weekend splitting a pair of games with Purdue, Illini softball plays the first of two midweek games this week. Illinois takes on the Billikens on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. CT. Montsi named Big Ten Athlete of the Week, second time this season Mar 31, 2021 8:00 am Siphosothando Montsi was named Big Ten Tennis Athlete of the Week. Montsi went undefeated in singles and doubles in Illinois' wins over No. 25 Michigan and Michigan State. Men's Tennis continues to roll with 25th consecutive win over Hawkeyes Apr 1, 2019 8:30 am Illinois defeated Iowa 5-1 to extend the overall series, 75-23. The Orange and Blue go undefeated in Big Ten play (5-0), while maintaining a 11-6 overall record on the season. Fighting Illini play for WBIT Championship against Villanova on Wednesday Apr 2, 2024 8:15 am In the WBIT semifinals, Illinois took on a Washington State team that had earned a No. 1 seed. The Illini led for the final 38 minutes in its 81-58 win on Monday evening, sending them to the championship game later this week. Spillane wins record third straight B1G Player Of The Week Apr 3, 2018 9:00 am Illinois first baseman Bren Spillane was named Big Ten Player of the Week Monday, becoming the first player in conference history to earn the award three straight weeks Women's Tennis hosts Big Ten opponents this weekend Apr 7, 2016 11:15 am The 50th-ranked Illini squad hopes to extend a five-match win streak. They are 10-6 overall and 4-1 in league play entering the weekend contests. Men's Basketball adds five on first day of Spring signing period Apr 12, 2018 9:15 am Joining the program: Guards Andres Feliz, Alan Griffin, and Tevian Jones; forward Giorgi Bezhanishvili; and center Samba Kane. Read their bios