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TCR Reacts: How many Big Ten wins in 2026?
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NCAA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Illinois fans and fans across the country. After a disappointing showing Saturday on Homecoming against Purdue, it’s fair to question just how many Big Ten games Illinois will win in 2026. So, we’re […]
Illinois expects ‘big steps’ from Jackson and Parchment in year two
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois women’s basketball head coach Shauna Green expects Destiny Jackson and Cearah Parchment to take the next step this season. With a full year of college basketball behind them, Green believes the biggest difference in their play should come from experience. “I think just the year of the grind of the Big […]
Illinois’ defense has a new voice. But the same old problem remains
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – After the departure of former defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck, now interim defensive coordinator, Roger Cooper, was thrown straight into the fire. When he got the news, he knew he had to get straight to work improving this defense. “Coach talked to me and … everything slowed down for like three seconds and […]
Mirkovic, Stojakovic earn Preseason All-Big Ten honors
Two of Illinois’ biggest returners are garnering more attention. David Mirkovic and Andrej Stojakovic were both selected for the preseason All-Big Ten team. Mirkovic and Stojakovic are coming off big seasons, with both averaging over 13 points per game. Mirkovic was a triple threat last year, finishing top three on the team in points, rebounds […]
Illinois freshman Lana Brenjo suffers torn ACL, will miss 2026-27 season
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois will be without one of its newest additions for the 2026-27 season. Freshman forward Lana Brenjo tore her ACL during preseason workouts and will miss her first season with the Fighting Illini. Brenjo is expected to undergo surgery later this month. The 6-foot-4 freshman took to Instagram to address the injury […]
Keaton Wagler delivers clutch moment in NBA preseason debut
Keaton Wagler’s NBA preseason debut did not go exactly according to plan, but the former Illini guard made sure it ended on a high note. Wagler made his preseason debut Sunday with the Los Angeles Clippers, helping his new team defeat the Golden State Warriors 104-101 in Hawaii. The No. 5 overall pick in the […]
Reaction: Purdue embarrasses Illinois | TCR Podcast
Illini Isaac reacts to Illinois Football losing to Purdue as big favorites and what this game means for Bret Bielema. Check out State Farm Agent Brian Hanson for a home, auto, business, and life insurance needs quote today: https://gtlk.link/5zlx5Emx Treat Your Pup to Something Better with Chief’s Naturals! Give your dog delicious, wholesome dog treats made […]
TCR Daily Brief: Monday, Oct. 5
Good morning, Illini fans! Here’s what you need to know today: 🏈 The Big Story Illinois has work to do Illinois dropped its second straight game Saturday, falling 24-17 to Purdue at Gies Memorial Stadium. The Illini are now 2-3 overall and 0-2 in Big Ten play after back-to-back conference losses. Illinois will have a […]
Missed opportunities lead to Illinois’ deflating Homecoming loss to Purdue
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – In a sold-out Gies Memorial Stadium during Homecoming week, fans were not treated to the usual Illinois-Purdue shootout that we’ve seen in recent years. Instead they got a low-scoring game with no real excitement until near halftime. Illinois had laid claim to the Cannon Trophy two seasons in a row, but after […]
Roger Cooper named Defensive Coordinator ahead of Homecoming matchup
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Just before Saturday’s homecoming matchup against the Purdue Boilermakers (1-3, 0-1), the Illinois Fighting Illini (2-2, 0-1) announced that inside linebacker coach Roger Cooper would be the defensive play-caller, taking over for former defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck after he left the program on Sunday afternoon. Cooper was one of several coaches who […]
How the Underwoods plan to redesign the Illinois offense post-Keaton Wagler
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois’ historically efficient offense is on track to become even more dangerous. Last season, Illinois produced one of the most efficient offenses in the history of college basketball, anchored by two elite processors in Kylan Boswell and Keaton Wagler. As the Illini turn the page to a new season, Brad and Tyler […]
How the Underwoods plan to redesign the Illinois offense post-Keaton Wagler
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois’ historically efficient offense is on track to become even more dangerous. Last season, Illinois produced one of the most efficient offenses in the history of college basketball, anchored by two elite processors in Kylan Boswell and Keaton Wagler. As the Illini turn the page to a new season, Brad and Tyler […]
Illinois Football vs. Purdue Game Discussion
Share your thoughts in the comments and communicate with other Illini fans during the game.
Call it a three-peat: Illini volleyball sweeps Washington
SEATTLE — The Illini battled for the sweep, taking all of the sets by only 11 combined points Friday night against Washington in Seattle. Senior setter Kenna Phelan has no doubt been a difference-maker. Phelan put up 36 assists in the match, and had a season-high 16 digs. Phelan was everywhere on the court, but […]
TCR Daily Brief: Saturday, Oct. 3
Happy Saturday! Here’s what you need to know today. 🏈 The Big Story Homecoming is here. Illinois hosts Purdue at 3:15 p.m. today in a sold-out Gies Memorial Stadium, with The Cannon Trophy on the line. The Illini are looking to bounce back from last week’s 42-19 loss at Ohio State and keep the trophy in […]
‘We’re bigger, we’re longer’: Length, athleticism fuel new-look Illinois defense
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Defense wins championships. The age-old saying may end up holding some validity for the Illinois Fighting Illini, who are fresh off a Final Four berth and chasing their first national championship in program history. Head coach Brad Underwood’s 2026-27 roster looks a lot different than it did a year ago. And that […]
Parting ways with Hauck the right move? Most agree
It’s been a handful of days since Illinois and Bobby Hauck parted ways. And for better or worse, a majority of Illini fans think it was the right move. This week we asked you exactly that question on TCR Reacts — and 82% of you said it was the wise decision for Bret Bielema’s team. […]
Illinois vs. Purdue sells out
Champaign, Ill. — This Saturday’s homecoming contest against Purdue will be sold out. This marks the seventh sellout in the Illini’s last ten home games, including the last three. With the Boilermakers coming to Champaign, the battle for the Cannon Trophy will commence once more, with Illinois looking to make it three straight years of […]
How Illinois’ Brad Underwood convinced me to be a woman in sports
My fascination with sports was never really presented to me as an option. It was almost hereditary. My siblings were seven and nine years older than me, respectively, and both played competitive travel sports. If I wasn’t sitting on the sideline of a small town boys basketball game watching my brother in my mom’s lap, […]
TCR Daily Brief: Thursday, Oct. 1
Good morning, Illini fans! Here’s what you need to know today: 🏈 The Big Story Illinois prepares for Purdue with a new-look defense Saturday’s Homecoming matchup with Purdue will mark the first game for Illinois’ defense since defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck and the program parted ways. Bret Bielema said the Illini will have some schematic […]
How to Watch Illinois vs. Purdue: Game Time, TV Channel, Online Streaming and Odds
How to Watch Illinois at Purdue Game Time: 3:15 p.m. Saturday TV Channel: BTN Online Streaming: FOXSportsGO Odds: ILL -9.5, O/U 59.5 Quick Hits: Illinois Fighting Illini (2-2, 0-1 Big Ten) Head Coach: Bret Bielema (6th season) Last Game: Ohio State 42, Illinois 19 Purdue Boilermakers (1-3, 0-1 Big Ten) Head coach: Barry Odom (2nd season) Last Game: Notre […]
Purdue vs Illinois preview with Hammer and Rails | TCR Podcast
Illini Isaac is joined by Andrew Ledman of Hammer and Rails, SB Nation’s Purdue site, to break down the Boilermakers and The Cannon rivalry matchup. Check out State Farm Agent Brian Hanson for a home, auto, business, and life insurance needs quote today: https://gtlk.link/5zlx5Emx Treat Your Pup to Something Better with Chief’s Naturals! Give your dog […]
Bret Bielema is done waiting for Illinois Football to wake up
In the days following Illinois’ disappointing home loss to Duke, I read an article about how [former] Defensive Coordinator Bobby Hauck needed to “wake up” and get on board with Bret Bielema’s recently established winning culture. No, wait a minute — I wrote that article. And as tempting as it might be to brag about […]
TCR Daily Brief: Thursday, Oct. 1
Good morning, Illini fans! Here’s what you need to know today: 🏈 The Big Story: New-look defense ready for Purdue Illinois is preparing for its first game without Bobby Hauck as defensive coordinator after the two sides parted ways following the loss to Ohio State. Bret Bielema has kept the details of the defensive changes […]
Four takeaways from Illinois basketball’s fall practice video
Under a new Final Four banner in Ubben, fall practice is now underway for the Illini. Fans got their first glimpse of action ahead of the 2026-27 season with a short video posted by the Illinois Men’s Basketball social media accounts on Monday. Let’s get this out of the way: it’s early. Nobody should read […]
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