blog posts Terrence Shannon Jr. selected in the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft Jun 27, 2024 11:00 am The Minnesota Timberwolves selected the Illinois guard with the 27th pick in the NBA Draft, making Shannon the first Illinois player drafted in the first round since 2012. Shannon Jr. to join Honored Jerseys Program Jun 24, 2024 9:45 am Terrence Shannon Jr. will have his jersey raised to the State Farm Center rafters as part of the Illinois Basketball Honored Jerseys program. Herendeen, Ndudi named Illinois Freshman of the Year Jun 17, 2024 11:15 am The Division of Intercollegiate Athletics has announced its 2023-24 Freshman of the Year honorees. Max Herendeen (golf) and Elizabeth Ndudi (track & field) were voted the top male and female Illini competing in their first season. Illinois announces Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2024 Jun 17, 2024 10:30 am Eight more Illini stars have been elected to the Athletics Hall of Fame. This is the eighth Hall of Fame class and includes one coach and representatives from basketball, football, volleyball, soccer, and fencing. Yeboah is women’s track program’s first high jump national champion Jun 10, 2024 8:15 am Redshirt junior Rose Yeboah became the first Illinois women's high jump national champion with an NCAA Outdoor Championships meet record leap of 1.97m (6-5 1/2). Her mark automatically qualifies her to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Small named GCAA Midwest Region Coach of the Year Jun 5, 2024 10:00 am Small led the Illini to a fifth-place finish at the NCAA Championship and No. 6 in the final NCAA Division I men's golf rankings with a head-to-head record of 157-27-2 in 13 stroke play events on the season. Illini golfer Herendeen named to GCAA All-Freshman team Jun 3, 2024 9:00 am Fighting Illini men's golfer Max Herendeen has been selected as one of five first-year players nationally on the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA ) All-Freshman Team. Freshman Morez Johnson Jr. selected to USA Basketball Men's U18 National Team May 30, 2024 8:30 am Johnson becomes the third Illini signee of the Brad Underwood era to represent USA Basketball. Ayo Dosunmu (2018) and Ty Rodgers (2022) both earned gold medals at the U18 Americas Championship prior to their freshman year at Illinois. Illini Mens Golf season ends in NCAA quarterfinal match May 29, 2024 8:15 am Despite the loss, the quarterfinal berth secures a fifth-place tie for the Illini in the final NCAA Championship standings, the program's ninth top-five national finish under head coach Mike Small since the current format was adopted in 2009. Illini golf team advances to match play, secures No. 1 seed at NCAA Golf Championship May 28, 2024 11:45 am The Illinois men's golf team advanced to match play at the 2024 NCAA Golf Championship, winning by a 16-stroke margin and securing the No. 1 seed in the eight-team bracket that will determine the team title. Friday Night Lights: Illini conference opener moved to Friday, Sept. 20 May 24, 2024 12:15 pm Illinois football's Big Ten opening tilt at Nebraska was selected by FOX for its College Football Friday package. Two track and field athletes punch their ticket to national meet on first day of NCAA West Prelims May 23, 2024 11:00 am Two field athletes from the Illinois men's track and field team qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Championships: Tyler Sudduth in the shot put and Cody Johnston in the pole vault. Six Illini earn All-Big Ten, Hartleb named Coach of the Year May 22, 2024 9:00 am Coach Dan Hartleb earns his second Coach of the Year award and his first since 2015. He matches his mentor, Itch Jones, for the most in program history. McDowell wins 400m Big Ten Gold on final day of Big Ten Outdoor Championships May 14, 2024 11:15 am The Illinois men's and women's track and field teams finished the Big Ten Outdoor Championships on Sunday (May 12). Junior Jessica McDowell cruised to victory in the 400m dash (51.73) to earn gold and 10 team points. Illini set for final home series vs. Iowa May 9, 2024 9:15 am Illinois baseball concludes its seven-game homestand with its final home games of the season against Big Ten foe Iowa. The Illini enter the series in sole possession of first place in the Big Ten at 13-5. Sophia Beckmon named USTFCCCA National Athlete of the Week May 7, 2024 10:45 am Freshman long jumper Sophia Beckmon has been named U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association National Athlete of the Week. Last week, she leapt an Olympic-standard long jump of 6.86m (22-6 1/4). Illinois’ Buchanan recognized as Big Ten Golfer of the Year May 6, 2024 8:15 am Fighting Illini junior Jackson Buchanan, who was recognized earlier this week as a unanimous selection to the Big Ten All-Conference first team, has also been named Big Ten Golfer of the Year. Illini Men’s Golf selected for NCAA Stanford Regional May 2, 2024 9:15 am The Orange and Blue have now qualified for each of the last 16 NCAA regionals, and will make their 19th appearance overall. Coach Mike Small has led the Illini to five NCAA Regional titles. Illini golfers earn B1G postseason honors, Herendeen named Freshman of the Year May 1, 2024 9:30 am Max Herendeen was the unanimous choice as the Big Ten Freshman of the Year and joined junior Jackson Buchanan to give Illinois two unanimous selections to the All-Big Ten first team. Four Illini picked in 2024 NFL draft, more sign free agent deals Apr 30, 2024 11:00 am Illinois is one of five schools with three or more players drafted in the first three rounds in each of the last two NFL Drafts. The Illini are joined on the list by Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, and Penn State. Illini Finish Second at Big Ten Championship Apr 29, 2024 8:15 am The Illini men's golf team finished second at the 2024 Big Ten Championship on Sunday at Scioto Country Club, snapping the program's Big Ten-record streak of eight consecutive league titles. Illini Men's Golf begins B1G title chase Friday Apr 24, 2024 4:00 pm The Illini are in search of their ninth consecutive conference title, their 14th in the last 15 league championships dating back to the 2008-09 season, and the program's 21st Big Ten crown overall. Milton named Big Ten Player of the Week Apr 24, 2024 9:00 am Senior outfielder Connor Milton went 9-for-12 with five runs scored, two doubles, three home runs and eight RBI during the Illini's series sweep of Northwestern, posting a .750 on-base percentage while slugging an incredible 1.667. Illini Football wraps up spring ball with Orange and Blue Spring Game at Memorial Stadium Apr 22, 2024 8:30 am Illinois will open its 2024 fall schedule at Memorial Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 29, when the Illini host Eastern Illinois. Underwood announces three additions for 2024-25 Apr 18, 2024 8:30 am Head coach Brad Underwood announced Wednesday that Carey Booth, Kylan Boswell, and Tre White have signed Tenders of Financial Aid with the University of Illinois and will join the Fighting Illini men's basketball program. Schroeder named Big Ten Baseball Player of the Week Apr 16, 2024 8:45 am What a week for redshirt senior catcher Jacob Schroeder! He went 8-for-15 (.533) with eight runs scored, four home runs, 11 RBI and two walks over four games, posting a .632 on-base percentage while slugging an incredible 1.333. Illini Baseball continues homestand with weekend series vs. Northern Illinois Apr 12, 2024 8:45 am Illinois baseball continues its season-long nine-game homestand with a three-game weekend set vs. Northern Illinois. The Orange and Blue (17-13) are coming off of a midweek win over Illinois State, 10-6, on Tuesday. Fighting Illini Athletics set to host Spring Sports Fest Apr 9, 2024 9:00 am Fighting Illini Athletics is set to host Spring Sports Fest from April 12-14, featuring 11 home events across four sports - Track & Field, Softball, Baseball, and Women's Tennis. 'We have a great opportunity to finish strong': Illini seek first postseason title Apr 3, 2024 10:30 am After taking down Washington State in the final four, Illini Women's Basketball booked their ticket in the WBIT championship game, their first appearance in a non-conference postseason title game ever. They face Villanova tonight at 6 p.m. 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. Illini loss to top-ranked Connecticut in Elite Eight caps great season Apr 1, 2024 10:15 am After advancing to the Elite Eight for the first time since 2005 and for the 10th time in program history, Big Ten Tournament champion Illinois finished the 2023-24 season with a 29-9 record, its third-most wins in program history. Illini prepare for WBIT semifinals, program's first-ever appearance in April Apr 1, 2024 8:45 am Earning a spot in the semifinals of the inaugural WBIT, the Fighting Illini will take on Washington State at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Monday evening. Illini Close Strong, Earn Spot in Elite Eight With Gritty Win Over Iowa State Mar 29, 2024 8:30 am Never trailing in the contest, third-seeded Illinois battled to a 72-69 win over No. 2 seed Iowa State in the Sweet 16 on Thursday night at TD Garden to secure a spot in the Elite Eight for the first time since 2005. Illini Basketball doubleheader watch party set for State Farm Center Mar 27, 2024 8:30 am Fighting Illini Athletics will host a doubleheader watch party at State Farm Center on Thursday, with both women's and men's basketball playing postseason games being shown on the videoboard. Gates will open at 6 p.m. and admission is free. WBIT first-round game time announced for Illinois at State Farm Center Mar 20, 2024 8:00 am Illinois women's basketball will play its first-round matchup of the Women's Basketball Invitation Tournament against Missouri State at 6 p.m. CT on Thursday, March 21. Illinois is one of 16 host schools for the first round. Illini open NCAA Tournament Thursday vs. Morehead State Mar 19, 2024 9:15 am Illinois is the No. 3 seed in the East region and will open their NCAA Tournament run against No. 14 seed Morehead State (26-8) on Thursday in Omaha, Neb. Game time is set for 2:10 p.m. CT and will be televised on TruTV. Illini Women's Basketball will host Missouri State on Thursday in WBIT Mar 18, 2024 8:30 am The Women's Basketball Invitation Tournament is a postseason single-elimination tournament sponsored by the NCAA. This is the first year of WBIT play.. Illinois Faces Nebraska Saturday in Big Ten Tournament Semifinals Mar 16, 2024 12:45 pm Following a 77-74 comeback victory over Ohio State in the quarterfinals, No. 2 seed Illinois faces No. 3 seed Nebraska in the Big Ten Tournament (BTT) semifinals on Saturday afternoon (2:30 p.m. CT, CBS). Illini open Big Ten Tournament Friday in quarterfinals Mar 14, 2024 10:30 am Illinois finished the regular season second in the Big Ten with a 14-6 record and enters the Big Ten Tournament as the No. 2 seed. Tip off is scheduled for 5:30 pm (central) at the Target Center in Minneapolis. 2024 Big Ten tournament bracket Mar 11, 2024 8:30 am Illinois is the No. 2 seed in the 2024 BIg Ten Tournament. The Illini will open play at the Target Center Minneapolis in the Quarterfinals on Friday at 5:30 p.m. CT on BTN, facing the winner of No. 7 Iowa vs. No. 10 Ohio State. Ruth emerges as first Illini Big Ten champion since 2018 Mar 11, 2024 8:15 am '(Edmond) Ruth is really starting to cement himself as a national title threat. Him becoming the first Big Ten champion for us since (now-assistant coach for the Illini) Isaiah Martinez is truly incredible,' said head coach Mike Poeta. Fighting Illini Volleyball hosts DePaul for spring match Mar 8, 2024 8:00 am Illinois volleyball welcomes DePaul for a match at Huff Hall today, with first serve slated for 5:30 p.m. 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 fall to the third-ranked Boilermakers at State Farm Center Mar 5, 2024 1:30 pm No. 12 Illinois led by as many as 10 in the first half, but it was not enough in the Fighting Illini's 77-71 loss to No. 3 Purdue at State Farm Center on Tuesday night. No. 12 Illini Host Senior Night vs. No. 3 Purdue Tuesday Mar 5, 2024 8:15 am The Illini close out the home schedule with Senior Night at State Farm Center, honoring seven players and three managers in a pregame ceremony. Illini Baseball set for First Pitch invitational Mar 1, 2024 9:30 am Illinois baseball heads out on the road again, making the trip to Greenville, S.C., for the First Pitch Invitational, hosted by Michigan State at Fluor Field, home of the Greenville Drive, the High-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. No. 13 Illini outduel Minnesota, 105-97 Feb 29, 2024 8:30 am Illini offense explodes for season-high scoring mark vs. Golden Gophers. The Fighting Illini shot 61.3% from the field and 45.5% from behind the arc en route to the eight-point home victory. Dang earns B1G Event Specialist, Freshman of the Week Feb 27, 2024 8:45 am Illinois men's gymnast Brandon Dang has earned Big Ten Event Specialist and Freshman of the Week honors for his efforts in the 2024 Winter Cup. Kuehne snaps 50 freestyle school record on day two of B1G Championships Feb 23, 2024 9:00 am Junior Logan Kuehne broke the 50 freestyle school record in the time trials clocking in at 22.79. Prior to shattering the record, she swam the program's fourth-fastest 50 freestyle in the morning prelims session. She placed 25th overall. Illini falter late at Penn State Feb 22, 2024 8:15 am The Fighting Illini led by as many as 14, but the Nittany Lions scored the final eight points of the night in the Orange and Blue's fifth Big Ten loss of the season.