Illinois Basketball – Latest News & Scores
Illinois basketball is in a season of ups and downs, with big wins, injuries, and hopes for more consistency.
Illinois basketball is in a season of ups and downs, with big wins, injuries, and hopes for more consistency.
Latest News & Highlights
- Andrej Stojakovic, the transfer wing expected to help carry scoring load, will be out for a few more weeks due to a knee injury.
- Ty Rodgers is still recovering from knee surgery; his return timeline is uncertain.
- Coach Brad Underwood spoke about roster depth, injury management, and the challenge of Big Ten competition.
- Ben Humrichous scored 21 points to help Illinois crush Penn State 91-52, stepping up while other players were sidelined.
- In the 2025 NCAA Tournament first round, Kylan Boswell hit a buzzer-beater three to give Illinois the edge over Xavier, and the Illini won 86-73.
Recent Scores & Game Results
- Illinois dominated Chicago State 117-64 in a nonconference match.
- They lost heavily to Duke 110-67 in a high-profile contest.
- In Big Ten play, they had wins and losses against top teams:
- Beat Ohio State 87-79
- Lost in overtime to Nebraska 80-74
- Beat UCLA 83-78
- Lost to Maryland 70-91
- In the NCAA Tournament, they beat Xavier 86-73 in round one, then lost to Kentucky 75-84 in round two.
Roster & Player Notes
- Kasparas Jakučionis had a strong freshman year, making big plays and earning recognition in the Big Ten.
- The team is relying on veterans like Humrichous and newcomers to fill gaps while injured players recover.
- Depth will be tested when injuries continue to affect the rotation.
Schedule & Key Matchups
- The 2025-26 schedule is set with both nonconference and Big Ten opponents.
- Notable nonconference games include meetings against UConn, Texas Tech, Alabama, and Oregon.
- Conference play features tough road trips and home matchups versus Ohio State, Nebraska, UCLA, and others.
- Illinois must perform well in both halves of the season to make a strong postseason push.
What to Watch
- How well Illinois basketball handles the absence of injured key players will be critical.
- Whether new and younger players can step up and deliver in big games.
- Performance on the road and in tough arenas will show if this team can reach its goals.
- Coaching adjustments, rotations, and consistency will matter more than ever.
