Latest Illinois Fighting Illini news
Greg McElroy Makes a Big Announcement For Notre Dame’s Riley Leonard & His ‘Best Football’
Despite Irking Deion Sanders, Shedeur’s Bold Approach Earns Support from ESPN Expert
23-Year-Old Big Ten Prodigy Catches Nick Saban’s Eye as Potential Tua Tagovailoa Successor
Sherrone Moore Becomes the Laughing Stock Among Michigan Fans After His Latest Decision Following Illinois Disaster
Andy Staples Roasts Illinois Punter With ‘Oscar-Worthy’ Sarcasm After Oversmart Play Against Michigan
Sherrone Moore & Michigan’s Offense Woes Only Temporary as RB Commit Set to Shake Things Up
What Is Memorial Stadium’s Seating Capacity? All About Illinois Fighting Illini Football’s Home Turf
Nebraska vs Illinois: Greg McElroy Reveals The Trick to Stop Red-Hot Dylan Raiola
“Might Go in the Lottery”: Bronny James’ NBA Draft Stock Soars After 6’10 Warriors Prospect Withdraws Last Minute
In Terrence Shannon Jr.’s Absence, Is the Illinois Still a Force To Reckon With?
More Illinois Fighting Illini News
Losing Out vs Purdue, Can the Illinois Advance to the NCAA Knockouts?
Can the Illinois Fighting Illini advance in the NCAA knockouts? Or will Shannon's absence restrict them in giving their best?
With Terrence Shannon Jr. Facing Charges, How’ve Illinois Dealt With Their Star’s Absence?
How have the Illinois changed their gameplan in the two games they have played after the suspension of their guard Terrence Shannon Jr.
Ahead of the Rivalry Game, What Is the Illinois Team Missing?
A look at the gaps in the Illinois Fighting Illini team and how a change in plans can help them win their next game.
Missouri vs Illinois Rivalry Match Preview ”“ Players to Watch, Head to Head, and Prediction
Who will have the upper hand in the ongoing Missouri and Illinois men's basketball rivalry when the teams clash on Friday?
Are the Illinois Contenders for the Championship Title? An In-Depth Look Into the Best Teams of Big 10
Who are the best teams in the Big 10 and how have the Illinois performed this far in the season? A detailed look into it.
Illinois Fighting Illini vs Florida Atlantic Owls Match Preview ”“ Players to Watch, Head to Head, and Prediction
Who will win the neck to neck clash between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Florida Atlantic Owls in the upcoming NCAA clash?
Ending Three-Game Drought, Illinois Women’s Volleyball Team Overcomes Rutgers’ Historic Set Win to Triumph 3-1 at Huff Hall
The Illinois volleyball team ended their three-game skid by defeating Rutgers' historic second-set win at Huff Hall on Sunday.
College Football Report: Nebraska Takes Commanding Lead in First Half Against Illinois
Nebraska football is maintaining its legacy, and it is evident from their last game against Northern Illinois.
“I Was Supposed to Be Somebody I Am Not”: Son Jeffrey Once Revealed How People Treated Him Under the Shadow of Father Michael Jordan
Michael Jordon's eldest son, Jefferey Jordan addressed having high expectations on his back since his early days for being the son of an all-time great.
NBA Draft 2021: Will Illinois’ Ayo Dosunmu Go Down as a Lottery Pick?
Illinois Fighting Illini junior Ayo Dosunmu has declared for the 2021 NBA Draft. Will he be a lottery pick or a mid-round pick?
‘Ashamed of Them D**n Selves’- Stephen A. Smith Blasts the Big Ten Conference After March Madness Struggles
March Madness has gotten off to a hot start with the Big Ten seeing all but one team, Michigan Wolverines, eliminated from the tournament.
‘Do Something Special’- Ayo Dosunmu Confident in Illinois Fighting Illini Chances At March Madness
Illinois Fighting Illini guard Ayo Dosunmu seems confident about the team's chances heading into the NCAA Tournament this season.
‘Masked Mamba’- Illinois Fighting Illini Guard Pays Tribute To Kobe Bryant After Big Ten Tournament Win
Kobe Bryant has inspired generations of basketball players, and one of the top college stars from this year had to shout him out.
Luka Garza or Ayo Dosunmu? Which Big Ten Star Will Be National Player of the Year?
Luka Garza and Ayo Dosunmu are expected to be the leading candidates in the NCAA Player of the Year race. Who will win this battle?
WATCH: Illinois Fighting Illini Celebrate Massive Ranked Win Over Ohio State Buckeyes
The Illinois Fighting Illini celebrated a big win over the Ohio State Buckeyes in the locker room with a lot of pomp and circumstance.
‘Most Clutch’- NCAA Analyst Compares Luka Garza and Ayo Dosunmu in the Race For Naismith Player of the Year
Luka Garza has been considered the frontrunner in the College Player of the Year race all season long, but is Ayo Dosunmu going to upset him?
‘Flair for the Dramatic’- NCAA Analyst Believes Illinois Fighting Illini Guard Ayo Dosunmu is One of the Best Players in the Big 10
Illinois Fighting Illini guard Ayo Dosunmu is proving to be one of the best players in the NCAA this season and people are noticing.
WATCH: Illinois Fighting Illini Star Ayo Dosunmu Brings Down The Hammer Against Nebraska Cornhuskers
Illinois Fighting Illini junior guard Ayo Dosunmu had a stunning dunk during their overtime win against the Nebraska Cornhuskers last night.
NCAA Basketball: Illinois Fighting Illini vs Nebraska Cornhuskers- Possible Lineups and Predictions
NCAA Basketball action will pit the Illinois Fighting Illini against the Nebraska Cornhuskers in a lop-sided Big 10 battle.
NCAA Basketball: Iowa Hawkeyes vs Illinois Fighting Illini- Possible Lineups and Predictions
NCAA Basketball action will see two ranked opponents clash when the Illinois Fighting Ilinni take on heavyweights in the Iowa Hawkeyes.
WATCH: NCAA Basketball Fans Perplexed After Odd Bit of Camera Work In Illinois Fighting Illini vs Rutgers Scarlet Knights
NCAA Basketball fans tuned into a bizarre moment in the game between Illinois and Rutgers when the camera created an odd illusion.
NCAA Men’s Basketball: Ohio State Buckeyes vs Illinois Fighting Illini – Possible Lineups and Predictions
NCAA Men's Basketball returns to action with Big Ten clash as the Ohio State Buckeyes take on the Illinois Fighting Illini.
NCAA Men’s Basketball: Northwestern Wildcats vs Illinois Fighting Illini- Possible Lineups and Predictions
NCAA Men's Basketball action will continue when the ranked Illinois Fighting Illini take on the Northwestern Wildcats in a Big 10 clash.
NCAA Men’s Basketball: Illinois Fighting Illini vs Rutgers Scarlet Knights- Possible Lineups and Predictions
NCAA Men's Basketball action will see two ranked opponents face off when #19 Rutgers Scarlet Knights take on #13 illinois Fighting Illini.
NCAA Men’s Basketball: Illinois Fighting Illini vs Missouri Tigers- Possible Lineups and Predictions
NCAA Men’s Basketball action will see the top-ranked Illinois Fighting Illini take on the Missouri Tigers in this years Braggin' Rights Game.
NCAA Men’s Basketball: Duke Blue Devils vs Illinois Fighting Illini- Possible Lineups and Predictions
NCAA Men's Basketball will see the Duke Blue Devils and the Illiniois Fighting Illini face off in a marquee top-10 clash.
About Illinois Fighting Illini
Illinois Fighting Illini 2021: News, Schedule, Roster, Scores, Injury Report
The Illinois Fighting Illini compete in NCAA Men’s Basketball as a part of the Big Ten Conference. Some notable opponents from the conference include Iowa, Michigan, and Wisconsin. They were founded in 1906.
The name Illini emerged when the University's student newspaper changed its name from 'The Student' to 'The Illini' in 1874. Over 40 years later in the 1910s, the word 'Fighting' was used initially as an adjective for the team, but later it became part of the name. It was officially adopted as the nickname by the University in the 1920s.
The current logo of the Fighting Illini is a bold letter I, which is orange with a blue border. When the university first introduced a logo in 1947, it was the face of a Native American. It was completely dropped in 2004 when the bold letter I was launched.
History
| Founded | 1906 |
| Conference | Big 10 Conference |
| Athletic Director | Josh Whitman |
| Head Coach | Brad Underwood |
| Arena | State Farm Center |
| Championships (0) | - |
| Conference Tournament Titles (2) | 2003, 2005 |
| Conference Regular Season Titles (17) | 1915, 1917, 1924, 1935, 1937, 1942, 1943, 1949, 1951, 1952, 1963, 1984, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005 |
| Website | https://fightingillini.com/sports/mens-basketball |
Who is the coach of the Fighting Illini?
The current coach of the Fighting Illini is Brad Underwood. He was appointed in 2017 after he won three consecutive Southland Conference Tournaments.
Underwood signed a six-year deal worth $18 million, before getting an extension for up to 2026. After two underwhelming seasons, Underwood led the Fighting Illini to an impressive 21-10 record last season.
Who is the Athletic Director of the Fighting Illini?
The current athletic director of the Fighting Illini is Josh Whitman. He was appointed in 2016.
Whitman is an alumnus of the college and is also a former NFL player who became a lawyer after retirement. He was in charge of hiring Underwood as the head coach.
Achievements and Championships
The early 2000s and the 1980s were the most successful periods for the Fighting Illini. From 2001 to 2005, they won four out of the five regular-season championships.
In 2005, they reached the National Final with a brilliant record of 37-2. But they lost by 5 points in the Final to UNC. That remains as their best finish in the NCAA tournament.
The Fighting Illini haven't won the NCAA Division 1 title yet.
Greatest NBA Players
It has been almost eight years since a former Fighting Illini was drafted in the NBA. But earlier, Illinois had many young prospects making it into the big league.
Some of the greatest NBA players from Illinois include Deron Williams, Don Ohl, Nick Anderson, and Jerry Sloan. Williams was part of the team that finished as the runner-up in 2005. Sloan was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a coach in 2009.
Currently, Kendrick Nunn and Meyers Leonard are the only former Fighting Illini playing in the NBA.
Mascot and Uniform
The Fighting Illini had Chief Illiniwek as their mascot until it was retired by the University back in 2007 due to a lot of criticism around the stereotypes promoted by it.
In September 2020, the belted kingfisher was voted as the new mascot for the University. Spencer Hulsey, an alumnus of the University of Illinois, is the one who came up with the idea for the kingfisher.
The team colors of the Illinois Fighting Illini are navy blue and orange.
Current Roster
The Illinois Fighting Illini roster for the 2020-21 season has 17 players.
| Position | JerseyNumber | Name | Height | Weight |
| G | 1 | Trent Frazier | 6-2 | 175 |
| F | 2 | Connor Serven | 6-9 | 215 |
| G/F | 3 | Jacob Grandison | 6-6 | 205 |
| F | 4 | Zach Griffith | 6-6 | 220 |
| G | 5 | Andre Curbelo | 6-1 | 175 |
| G | 10 | Edgar Padilla Jr. | 6-1 | 165 |
| G | 11 | Ayo Dosunmu | 6-5 | 200 |
| C | 12 | Brandon Lieb | 7-0 | 210 |
| F | 13 | Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk | 6-8 | 235 |
| F | 15 | Giorgi Bezhanishvili | 6-9 | 245 |
| G | 20 | Da'Monte Williams | 6-3 | 215 |
| C | 21 | Kofi Cockburn | 7-0 | 285 |
| G | 22 | Austin Hutcherson | 6-6 | 180 |
| G | 32 | Tyler Underwood | 6-2 | 180 |
| F | 33 | Coleman Hawkins | 6-10 | 215 |
| C | 34 | Jermaine Hamlin | 6-10 | 235 |
| G | 44 | Adam Miller | 6-3 | 180 |
Schedule
The Fighting Illini began their 2020-21 season with a huge 122-60 win against North Carolina A&T on November 25. They have a 27-game regular season that ends with an away game against Iowa on March 5, 2021. Currently, their record is 3-0.
The full schedule is available on the college website.
How to contact Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball?
Illinois Fighting Illini on Twitter: @IlliniMBB
Illinois Fighting Illini on Instagram: @illinimbb
