Illinois Featured Content

three photos: Cook action photo bringing up the ball; Cook speaking with Coach Green on the sideline; Green squatting on the sideline giving instruction to players

Green: WBCA Coach of the Year Finalist; Cook: Honorable Mention All-America

Mar 31, 2023 8:45 am

The WBCA announced that Shauna Green – the architect of one of the biggest one-year turnarounds this season – was a finalist for the National Coach of the Year honor while Makira Cook collected All-America honorable mention status.

right handed pitcher Cory Bunselmeyer shown pitching in relief during an earlier game

Illini return to Illinois Field for weekend series vs. Michigan

Mar 30, 2023 10:45 am

Fighting Illini baseball returns to Illinois Field on Friday to host Michigan for a three-game set in Champaign. Friday's contest is scheduled for a 6:00 p.m. first pitch, with 1:00 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. first pitches to follow on Saturday and Sunday.

fifth-year infielder Avery Steiner stands near an umpire as she waits for a play to unfold

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.

Coach Shauna Green speaks to players during a time out

One year later: Coach Green breaks records, rewrites history

Mar 21, 2023 9:30 am

Shauna Green has completely transformed the Illini, serving at the helm of a program that set multiple records and made history during a 2022-23 campaign that ended in the NCAA Tournament, something that had not happened in two decades.

Mia Takekawa smiles broadly as she gets a hug after her performance

Takekawa shares bars title, Illini earn fifth place at B1G Championships

Mar 20, 2023 9:15 am

'Mia Takekawa never fails to deliver,' Head Coach Nadalie Walsh said. "She 100% deserves to be the bar champion and runner-up on beam. I couldn't be prouder of her and just the legacy she's leaving,"

two images side-by-side. Braunagle and Byrd each shown after winning their match

Braunagel, Byrd advance to Quarterfinal Round at NCAA Championships

Mar 17, 2023 8:30 am

Five Illinois wrestlers completed day one of the NCAA Championships on Thursday. Lucas Byrd advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time, and Zac Braunagel pulled out a third period comeback upset to advance to his first quarterfinals.

Dain Dainja on graphic promoting the NCAA Tournament game on March 16, 2023

NCAA Tournament first round: Illinois vs. Arkansas today

Mar 16, 2023 8:30 am

Brad Underwood becomes the fourth coach in school history to lead Illinois to at least three straight NCAA Tournaments, joining Lou Henson, Bill Self and Bruce Weber.

graphic promoting Illini vs Mississippi State on March 15, 2023

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.

softball players huddle on a field around one player who is leading their cheer

Midweek games against Missouri and Valparaiso await Fighting Illini Softball

Mar 14, 2023 8:15 am

The Fighting Illni (16 - 7) take on the Missouri Tigers in a doubleheader today, beginning at 1 p.m. CT. The home opener against Valpo on Wednesday is slated for 1 p.m. CT.

Illini team huddles on the court during a game

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.

an Illini pitcher winds up for his delivery

Illini Baseball's weekend road trip at Coastal Carolina

Mar 10, 2023 8:45 am

Illinois baseball returns to action in Conway, S.C., facing the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers for three games and capping off its 13-game road trip to begin the season. The Illini earned their second-straight series win last week against Sam Houston.

image of Sensire Harris on graphic promoting the Big Ten Tournament game on March 9, 2023

Illini open Big Ten Tournament tonight vs. Penn State

Mar 9, 2023 8:00 am

Illinois tied for fifth place in the conference with an 11-9 record. Following tiebreakers among the four teams, the Illini have received the No. 7 seed in the Big Ten Tournament. Illinois is 3-0 all-time against Penn State in the BTT.

Shannon and Mayer walk up court during a game break

Men's Basketball: Two Illini earn All-Big Ten honors

Mar 8, 2023 12:45 pm

Senior Terrence Shannon Jr. is a first-team All-Big Ten selection by the coaches, while garnering second-team accolades by the media. Graduate student Matthew Mayeris a third-team All-Big Ten pick by both the coaches and media.

part of the NCAA tournament bracket showing Illinois playing Penn STate on March 9

Big Ten Tournament bracket set for men's basketball

Mar 6, 2023 8:15 am

Illinois (20-11, 11-9) is the No. 7 seed and opens play Thursday at 5:30 p.m. CT on BTN, facing No. 10 seed Penn State (19-12, 10-10).

Terrence Shannon Jr. and Matthew Mayer stand beside each other on court in photo featured in larger graphic promoting the final Illini home game of the season

Senior Night for Illini Men's Basketball Thursday vs. Michigan

Mar 2, 2023 9:00 am

Illinois will recognize five members of its program at State Farm Center on Thursday night – three managers and two players (Matthew Mayer and Terrence Shannon Jr.) – in a pre-game ceremony that begins at 5:39 p.m.

With four career-highs, beam program shatters records against Michigan State

Feb 28, 2023 9:00 am

No. 24 Illinois women's gymnastics broke its program best beam score. Amelia Knight, Mallory Mizuki, Abby Mueller and Ruthuja Nataraj shattered their career-highs in a 197.450-196.425 loss to No. 13 Michigan State Monday night.

Sophomore guard Luke Goode featured on graphic advertising the game against Northwestern on Feb. 23, 2023

Illini face Northwestern tonight at State Farm Center

Feb 23, 2023 9:00 am

Fighting Illini Men's Basketball plays its penultimate game at State Farm Center on Thursday night, facing No. 21 Northwestern. Illinois is 13-2 at home this season and carries a four-game winning streak at State Farm Center.

Illini senior Jada Peebles works against a Northwestern defender in an earlier game

Nebraska visits tonight for Women's Basketball Senior Night

Feb 22, 2023 10:00 am

The Fighting Illini hope to add another victory to their 20 win season (10-6 B1G) when they face Nebraska (7 pm). Illinois has secured the biggest one-year conference win improvement in program history, the second-best in Big Ten history.

Freshman Illini guard Jayden Epps battles to put up a shot over Minnesota guard Ta'lon Cooper

Balanced scoring attack leads Illini in 78-69 win over Minnesota

Feb 21, 2023 8:15 am

Illinois used a balanced scoring effort from its starting five to return to the win column, beating Minnesota, 78-69, on Monday night. All five Illini starters finished in double figures, giving Illinois a season sweep over the Golden Gophers.

Matthew Mayer featured on a graphic promoting Saturday's game against Indiana

Illini Men's Basketball at Indiana Saturday

Feb 17, 2023 2:45 pm

Illinois begins a stretch of four games in nine days Saturday at Indiana (11 a.m. CT, ESPN). Illinois has won two straight in Bloomington, but hasn't won three in a row at Indiana since the 1988-1990 seasons.

Women's 400 medley relay breaks school record on B1G Championships day two

Feb 17, 2023 8:00 am

The swimming and diving team completed day two action of the B1G Championships on Thursday. The 400 medley relay team of Athena Salafatinos, Kaleigh Haworth, Isabelle Guerra and Lily Olson set a new school record time of 3:41.32.

Illinois Men's Tennis players huddle before a match

Illini Men's Tennis set to face No. 13 Georgia in Chicago tonight

Feb 15, 2023 8:00 am

Illinois men's tennis will compete with its fourth ranked opponent of the season prior to the ITA National Indoor Tournament on Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 6 p.m. at the XS Tennis Village.

Coleman Hawkins featured on a graphic advertising the Feb. 14, 2023 game at Penn State

Illini Men's Basketball at Penn State tonight

Feb 14, 2023 8:00 am

The Illini have back-to-back road trips this week, beginning Tuesday night at Penn State (6 p.m. CT, ESPNU). Illinois has won eight of its last 10 games, compiling four- and three-game win streaks during this stretch.

an Illinois gymnast performs her floor routine

Illini Women's Gymnastics takes on Ohio State tonight at Huff

Feb 13, 2023 1:45 pm

The No. 22 Illinois women's gymnastics team, fresh off a second place finish at the Metroplex Challenge, is set to compete with No. 14 Ohio State at 8 p.m. at Huff Hall. The meet airs on the Big Ten Network.

promotional graphic for Saturday's game against Rutgers

Illini face No. 24 Rutgers in Saturday showdown at State Farm Center

Feb 10, 2023 2:30 pm

Following an unexpected idle week with Tuesday's home game against Minnesota postponed due to COVID concerns, U of I returns to action Saturday at home against Rutgers (1 p.m. CT, FS1). Illinois has won seven of its last nine games.

Men's Basketball vs Minnesota rescheduled for Feb. 20

Feb 7, 2023 8:45 am

The game was originally slated for tonight, but was postponed due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols within the Minnesota program. Next up for the Illini is a home game on Saturday, Feb. 11 against No. 24 Rutgers.

junior guard Genesis Bryant drives against Michigan defenders. Bryant went on to record 18 points and a team-high six assists and three steals, a defensive mark that ties her season-high.

Illini Women's Basketball falls to Michigan, 74-57

Feb 3, 2023 9:15 am

Illinois (17-6, 7-5) returns to State Farm Center on Sunday afternoon for its United as One Game as the Illini host Minnesota (9-13, 2-9) at 2 p.m. CT.

Makira Cook clapping while Geovana Cook pats her on the back from an earlier game against Michigan State

Road test at Michigan tonight for Illini Women's Basketball

Feb 2, 2023 9:30 am

It's a 5:30 CT start for the Illini tonight on the road in Michigan. Both teams have identical records going into the contest, 17-5 overall and 7-4 in the Big Ten conference.

freshman guard Ty Rodgers featured on a graphic promoting the basketball game on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023

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.

scene from a previous match against Minnesota

Illini Wrestling travels to Minnesota for next Big Ten dual

Jan 27, 2023 9:00 am

No. 17 Fighting Illini wrestling squad heads to Minnesota Saturday to take on the No. 11 Golden Gophers (1 p.m., BTN). Lst weekend the Illini lost 17-17 at No. 15 Northwestern via tiebreakers, but had a dominant win at home against No. 22 Maryland.

Junior guard Makira Cook drives from the outside against Hoosier defenders in a previous game

Women's Basketball returns for two-game homestand starting tonight vs Purdue

Jan 26, 2023 9:15 am

Illinois women's basketball (6-3 B1G) is set to host the program's first Philanthropy Night on Thursday as the Illini host Purdue (5-4 B1G) for a 7 p.m. game at State Farm Center.

Promotional image of R.J. Melendez featured in graphic promoting the game against Ohio State on 1/24/2023

Illini Men's Basketball hosts Ohio State tonight

Jan 24, 2023 9:15 am

After an idle weekend, Illinois returns to action Tuesday night, hosting Ohio State at sold out State Farm Center (6 p.m., ESPN). Illinois is 62-29 all-time against Ohio State in games played at State Farm Center.

Illini tennis player leaps to hit an overhand shot

Illini Men's Tennis on the road to face No. 4 Kentucky, No. 2 Ohio State this weekend

Jan 20, 2023 4:45 pm

The Illinois men's tennis team is set to compete in back-to-back dual meets against Kentucky on Saturday at noon and Ohio State on Sunday at 1:30 p.m.

Terrence Shannon Jr. looks to pass around strong defense by the Hoosiers

Illini fall to Indiana, snap four game winning streak

Jan 20, 2023 9:15 am

Illinois (13-6, 4-4) will return to State Farm Center on Tuesday night to take on Ohio State (10-8, 2-5) at 6 p.m. for Krush Cancer Night.

Junior center BRANDON LIEB featured on graphic promoting the game on January 19, 2023

Illini Men's Basketball welcomes Hoosiers to State Farm Center tonight

Jan 19, 2023 10:30 am

Illinois comes into tonight's game (7:30 start, FS1) tied for the Big Ten's longest active winning streak at four straight. That matches U of I's 4-0 start to open the year.

Indiana visits State Farm Center for top-25 showdown tonight

Jan 18, 2023 10:15 am

Illini Women's Basketball faces a tough opponent tonight (7 pm, B1G+). No. 6-ranked Indiana is off to an 16-1 start with a 5-1 mark in B1G play. The Hoosiers are on a four-game winning streak and are 3-1 in true road games this season.

Kendall Bostic looks up from a players' on-court huddle

No. 24 Women's Basketball headed to Minnesota, first test as ranked squad

Jan 14, 2023 1:00 pm

Illinois women's basketball is back in action at Minnesota on Sunday, Jan. 15, with a 2 p.m. CT tip. Illinois is off to a 14-3 start under first year head coach Shauna Green, one of the best starts in program history.

Coleman Hawkins, wearing a net around his neck, featured on graphic promoting Illinois vs. Michigan State on Jan. 13, 2023

Illini host Spartans in 'Hail to the Orange Out'

Jan 13, 2023 9:15 am

Fighting Illini Mens Basketball looks to improve to .500 in league play (2-3), hosting Big Ten co-leader Michigan State tonight (8 p.m.). Wear orange!

sophomore guard RJ Melendez featured in graphic promoting the Illinois-Nebraska game on Jan. 10, 2023

Illini face Nebraska in Lincoln tonight

Jan 10, 2023 8:45 am

Illinois travels to Lincoln, Nebraska in search of its first road win and seeking consecutive victories for the first time since Nov. 25-29, facing the Cornhuskers (9-7, 2-3) at 8 p.m. (BTN).

Players huddle around head coach Shauna Green

Illini Women's Basketball hosts Northwestern tonight

Jan 5, 2023 8:30 am

Off to their best 5-game start in program history(13-2 overall, 3-1 in Big Ten play), the Illini women host their in-state rival, Northwestern, which is looking for its first Big Ten win.

senior guard Terrence Shannon Jr. featured on graphic promoting the 1/4/2023 men's basketball game

Illini resume Big Ten play Wednesday at Northwestern

Jan 4, 2023 9:15 am

Illinois has won eight straight Men's Basketball contests against Northwestern in a series that has featured many close games as of late, with nine of the last 10 decided by single digits, including six by five points or less.

ReliaQuest Bowl Central

Dec 22, 2022 9:30 am

From ticket information to all of the planned fan events, this is your source for all information related to the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa.

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.

person presenting as Santa Claus holds a baby on his/her/their lap in front of a Fighting Illini backdrop

Home 'Holiday Game' Wednesday for Women's Basketball

Dec 20, 2022 9:00 am

Fresh off a Braggin' Rights win, Illinois Women's Basketball will close out its non-conference schedule on Wednesday, Dec. 21, when Florida Atlantic comes to town.

RB Chase Brown, shown in action running with the football, was named to the Associated Press (AP) All-America Team second team

Four Illini named AP All-Americans

Dec 13, 2022 9:15 am

The AP All-America Team is the third of five All-America teams recognized by the NCAA. With Devon Witherspoon's third first team selection, he's secured a spot on the NCAA's Consensus All-America Team, which will be announced Thursday.

Fall Academic All-Big Ten released

Dec 9, 2022 4:15 pm

The Big Ten Conference recognized fall sports student-athletes who have been named to the Academic All-Big Ten team. Eighty-five Illinois student-athletes were honored across the Illini's five fall sports programs.

players and coaches cheer from the sidelines during a previous Illini Women's Basketball game at State Farm Center

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).

sophomore guard RJ Melendez featured in graphic promoting the Illinois-Texas men's basketball game on Dec. 6, 2022

No. 17 Illini face No. 2 Texas in Jimmy V Classic tonight

Dec 6, 2022 10:45 am

No. 17 Illinois returns to the East Coast to face No. 2 Texas in the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden (6 p.m. CT, ESPN). Texas is Illinois' fourth ranked opponent in nine games to open the season.

Illini Football accepts invitation to 2023 ReliaQuest Bowl

Dec 5, 2022 8:45 am

The Illinois football team has accepted an invitation to play in the 2023 ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Florida. Illinois will play Mississippi State at Raymond James Stadium on Monday, Jan. 2 at 11 a.m. CT on ESPN2.

fifth year forward Matthew Mayer featured on graphic promoting game against Maryland on Dec. 2, 2022

Illini Men's Basketball opens Big Ten play tonight at Maryland

Dec 2, 2022 9:30 am

Illinois' next two games are away - and against undefeated teams. Following tonight's Big Ten opener at 7-0 Maryland, the Illini head back to the East Coast to face 5-0 Texas on Tuesday in the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden.

blog navigation

blog posts