blog posts 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. 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. Shannon named Big Ten Player of the Week Feb 19, 2024 3:15 pm Shannon earns the award after averaging 29.0 points on 54.8% shooting from the field, 40% from 3-point range, and 85.7% from the free throw line while leading the Illini to a home victory over Michigan and road win at Maryland. Trip to Penn State tonight for Fighting Illini Women's Basketball Feb 15, 2024 8:30 am Illinois (11-12, 5-8 B1G) visits Penn State (16-8, 7-6 B1G) for a 5 pm (central) tip-off. PSU is 11-2 at home this season, but have lost their last three games. Illini face Michigan tonight at sold-out State Farm Center Feb 13, 2024 9:15 am The Big Ten rematch with Michigan tips off at 6 p.m. CT (Peacock). Illinois enters this week in sole possession of second in the Big Ten standings at 8-4, behind No. 2 Purdue (11-2). Allegretti wins Illini-record third Super Bowl Feb 12, 2024 8:45 am Allegretti's three Super Bowl wins is the most ever by a former Illini. He passed Jim Grabowski, Ray Nitschke, Preston Pearson, Howard Griffith, Eugene Wilson, Dave Diehl, and Ted Karras, who all have two Super Bowl rings. Fighting Illini host Northwestern for Pride Game tonight Feb 8, 2024 8:45 am The Illini Women's Basketball team partners with local organizations for Pride Night, a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community. Tipoff is at 6 pm against Northwestern, which is 8-14 overall on the season, 3-8 in the Big Ten. Illinois Volleyball unveils spring schedule Feb 7, 2024 8:00 am The Illini open the spring schedule with a match against DePaul on March 8. First serve from Huff Hall is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. CT. Admission is free. 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. Laski to Serve as Honorary Captain vs. Duke Feb 2, 2024 8:30 am Illinois men's tennis all-time great Jeff Laski will be the Fighting Illini's honorary captain when Illinois takes on Duke on Friday at Atkins Tennis Center. The Illini and Blue Devils compete at 6 p.m. CT. Stripe State Farm Center Saturday Jan 26, 2024 9:30 am No. 10 Illinois' next home game against Indiana on Saturday afternoon is Stripe State Farm Center, presented by Invesco QQQ. Illini host Ohio State for Pack the House on Thursday Jan 25, 2024 8:30 am Illinois (8-9, 2-5 B1G) vs. #12 Ohio State (15-3, 6-1 B1G). 6 pm start time at State Farm Center. Illinois trails 20-57 in the all-time record with the Buckeyes, who claimed last season's meeting in Columbus, 87-81. Fighting Illini Men's Basketball at Northwestern tonight Jan 24, 2024 10:15 am The No. 10 ranked Fighting Illini defeated Northwestern, 96-66, in their first meeting of the season Jan. 2 at State Farm Center, and are coming off of back-to-back Big Ten wins last week at Michigan (88-73) and vs. Rutgers (86-63). Women’s Track and Field ranked No. 1 nationally for first time ever Jan 23, 2024 9:15 am The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association released its first round of weekly national rankings on Monday. The Fighting Illini women debut as the national leaders, and the men close out the top-10 rankings at No. 10. No. 14 Illini host rematch vs. Rutgers Sunday Jan 20, 2024 2:15 pm Illinois hosts its first Big Ten rematch vs. Rutgers, on Sunday at sold-out State Farm Center (noon, BTN). The Illini defeated the Scarlet Knights, 76-58, in the teams' 2023-24 Big Ten opener on Dec. 2 at Jersey Mikes Arena in Piscataway, N.J. Illini host Rutgers for 'We Back Pat' night Jan 16, 2024 2:45 pm The 'We Back Pat' promotion honors legendary women's basketball coach and player Pat Summitt, who passed away in 2016 after a lengthy battle with early onset dementia and Alzheimer's. 10th-ranked Illini face Michigan State Thursday at State Farm Center Jan 10, 2024 5:15 pm Illinois returns to State Farm Center to host Michigan State on Thursday (8 p.m. CT, FS1) in the first of two Big Ten home games this week. Marcus Domask named Big Ten Player of the Week Jan 9, 2024 9:00 am Domask earns the award after averaging 29 points, 5.5 assists and 4 rebounds while shooting 59.4% from the field, 66.7% from 3-point range, and 90% from the free-throw line in matchups vs. Northwestern and Purdue. Simpson shatters weight throw school record in Illini debut Jan 8, 2024 8:15 am The men's and women's track and field squads completed their first meet of the season on Saturday. 509 fans saw graduate student Amber Simpson shatter the weight throw program record with a 20.31m heave. Illini Women's Basketball back at home to host Wisconsin Jan 7, 2024 1:00 pm Illinois is 23-13 when hosting the Badgers. Head Coach Shauna Green is 2-0 all-time against Wisconsin. No. 9 Illini set for top-10 showdown at No. 1 Purdue Jan 5, 2024 9:00 am The Illini are in search of the program's fourth win all-time over a No. 1-ranked team, and first ever away from home. The Orange and Blue are 0-8 in road games at No. 1, and 3-20 overall against No. 1 opponents. No. 9 Illini host Northwestern tonight in return to B1G action Jan 2, 2024 8:45 am Illinois opens 2024 at the State Farm Center in a return to Big Ten play after dominating their final non-conference game against Fairleigh Dickinson on Friday. Tonight's game against Northwestern is scheduled for an 8 pm tip. Illini back in action tonight vs. Fairleigh Dickinson Dec 29, 2023 11:00 am The sold out game at State Farm Center is scheduled for an 8 pm start. The Illini won the two teams' single previous meeting. Illinois Football signs 19 on National Signing Day Dec 20, 2023 11:30 am Coach Bret Bielema continued Illinois' rise in recruiting by signing his third-straight top-50 recruiting class, a feat achieved at Illinois for the first time since the beginning of recruiting rankings, according to 247Sports. Illini Women's Basketball set for Wednesday, Thursday games at West Palm Beach Classic Dec 19, 2023 11:00 am Wednesday's 10am game marks the third all-time meeting against Arkansas; Illinois won on both teams' home courts in 1996 and 1997. Thursday's tilt against UTEP (12:15pm) will be the first meeting between the sides. Illini face ranked road test at Tennessee Dec 8, 2023 12:15 pm No. 20 Illinois wraps up a stretch of three straight games away from home over a one-week span, traveling to Knoxville, Tenn. for a Saturday showdown with No. 17 Tennessee (11 a.m. CT, CBS). Top 20 matchup tonight: Illini vs Florida Atlantic in Jimmy V Classic Dec 5, 2023 9:45 am No. 20 Illinois, fresh off its Big Ten-opening win Saturday at Rutgers, heads to New York City to take on No. 11 Florida Atlantic in the Jimmy V Classic Tuesday at Madison Square Garden (5:30 p.m. CT, ESPN). Illini Men's Basketball opens Big Ten play Saturday at Rutgers Dec 1, 2023 8:15 am No. 24 Illinois begins its 119th season of league play Saturday afternoon at Rutgers (3 p.m. CT, BTN). Illinois is opening B1G play on the road for the sixth time in the last eight seasons. Newton named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Nov 29, 2023 9:15 am Illinois defensive tackle Jer'Zhan Newton was named the Big Ten's Defensive Player of the Year and the Defensive Lineman of the Year. He's just the fourth Illini in history to earn the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year award. Illini look to keep the hat, earn bowl berth against northwestern Nov 21, 2023 9:45 am Illinois returns to Memorial Stadium to battle for The Hat in its regular-season finale and Senior Day game against Northwestern. Kickoff is slated for 2:30 p.m. CT on Big Ten Network. Illini Football travels to Iowa for final regular-season road trip Nov 15, 2023 8:45 am Winners of three of their last four games, the Fighting Illini football team hits the road for a matchup with the Big Ten West-leading Iowa Hawkeyes on Saturday. Illinois and Iowa are set to kick off at 2:30 p.m. CT on FS1. #23 Illini Men's Basketball hosts #4 Marquette tonight Nov 14, 2023 12:15 pm In game 3 of a six-game, season-opening homestand, the Illini welcome No. 4 Marquette to sold out State Farm Center (7 p.m. CT, FS1) for the final year of the Gavitt Tipoff Games series between the Big Ten and Big East. Men's Basketball hosts Oakland tonight Nov 10, 2023 10:30 am Illinois continues a six-game, season-opening homestand on Friday night, hosting Oakland at State Farm Center (7 p.m. CT, B1G+). Oakland is coming off of narrow defeat, 79-73, to Ohio State. Illinois Men’s Basketball signs top 20 class for 2024 Nov 9, 2023 9:00 am Head coach Brad Underwood announced Wednesday the signing of top-35 national recruit Morez Johnson Jr. and three-star prospects Jason Jakstys and Jase Butler to national letters of intent on the first day of the early signing period.