A Fighting Illini community since 2012
It’s going to be a big weekend for the Orange and Blue in Indy, and Illinois is hoping fans will partake in events all around the city leading up to the Final Four. In a press release Wednesday night, the Illini’s free Final Four open practice will be at 11 a.m. ET on Friday. Doors […]
If I may speak for all of Illini Nation, we’re still on Cloud 9 after Saturday’s Elite 8 win against Iowa. It’s all we have been thinking about, making it hard to get any type of productive work done. Brad Underwood said it best in an interview with Jon Rothstein: “I went to bed, and […]
Andrej Stojakovic was the golden goose of Illinois’ 2025-26 transfer class. The big-name transfer was expected to be the Illini’s superstar for Brad Underwood’s new-look team. It appeared he was going to play a Terrence Shannon Jr.-like role as a slasher and go-to guy when you need someone to create their own shot. For the […]
Illinois clinched its spot in Indianapolis on Saturday night, defeating Iowa 71-59 in Houston. This marks the program’s first Final Four appearance since 2005 and the first of Brad Underwood’s career. Is it FINALLY time to put the “Fire Brad” statements to rest? Despite consistent success, some fans still wanted more NCAA Tournament success from […]
In the afterglow of super soakers, cowboy hats, and Kylan Boswell teaching David Mirkovic how to cut down a net, the conquering Illini are back in Champaign and preparing for a revenge game against UConn. On Sunday, I was already thinking about what to write about how Illinois can poke holes in Duke’s long, fierce […]
On this episode of Oskee Talk, TCR’s Brandt Dolce checks in following Illinois’ thrilling run to the Final Four (2:59). We discuss how the narrative surrounding Illini basketball has been forever changed (9:07) and Illinois’ defensive turnaround (21:58). We also compliment Iowa’s March Madness run (31:43), examine how the Illini’s narrow regular-season losses may have […]
Illinois basketball’s first appearance in the Final Four in 21 years… has Illinois’ football coach hyped. “So pumped for Coach Underwood and his staff, and the players and the fans,” said football head coach Bret Bielema on Monday. “Hopefully take care of business on Saturday night and Monday as well.” Bielema said he and his […]
For the first time in 21 years, Illinois has made it to the promised land: the Final Four. And it’s not just any Final Four — it’s the Final Four in Indianapolis. And it’s not just the Final Four in Indianapolis — Michigan will be there too. As will our friends from 2005 in Arizona, […]
Well, well, well. We meet again. Two years after one of the most soul-crushing losses in recent Illini memory — and just four months after a Black Friday crumbling at Madison Square Garden — Illinois will get another shot at Dan Hurley’s UCONN Huskies. And, if the third time’s the charm, Illinois will advance to […]
How to Watch No. 3 Illinois vs. No. 2 UCONN (NCAA Tournament Final Four) Game Time: 5:09 p.m. Saturday TV Channel: TBS/TruTV Online Streaming: HBO Max Odds: Illinois -2.5, O/U 139.5 (FanDuel Sportsbook) Quick Hits: Illinois Fighting Illini (28-8, 15-5 Big Ten) Head Coach: Brad Underwood (9th season) Last Game: Illinois 71, Iowa 59 (Elite Eight) UCONN Huskies […]
HOUSTON — Forget the narratives, forget the drought. Brad Underwood’s Fighting Illini just kicked the door down and cemented their names in Orange and Blue history. “It’s not just me,” said Illinois head coach Brad Underwood. “It’s so many people that’ve helped along the way.” On a historic Saturday afternoon at the Toyota Center, No. […]
Monday, March 20, 2017. I was on spring break during my sophomore year at the University of Illinois. No big vacations planned that year with my parents. Second-year athletic director Josh Whitman fired John Groce the prior week, but Illinois is still competing in the NIT under the leadership of Jamall Walker. Illinois is set […]
It’s beautiful. Hoards of people took to Green Street and Alma Mater Saturday night after Illinois punched its first ticket to the Final Four in 21 years. In a video posted by the University, you can hear the loud chants of “Final Four.” And the images on the ground show a crazy scene on Green […]
Who else would it be? Keaton Wagler was named the South Region’s Most Outstanding Player after Illinois’ 71-59 win over Iowa in the Elite Eight on Saturday in Houston. In four NCAA Tournament games, the star freshman from Kansas averaged 17.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists. And somehow his three-point percentage was 44%??? Doesn’t […]
Nothing better than a water gun celebration after a win. Especially when that win sends the Illini to their first Final Four in 21 years. Here’s a look at the best locker room celebration shots from Illinois’ 71-59 win over Iowa in the Elite Eight on Saturday in Houston.
One more win against a Big Ten team. More specifically, one more win against a Big Ten team they already defeated this season. That was the barrier between the Fighting Illini and their first trip to the Final Four since two months into the second term of the 43rd POTUS. The draw fell ideally in […]
HOUSTON — Indy, here we come. For the first time since the legendary Fighting Illini team of 2004-05, Illinois is heading to the NCAA Tournament’s Final Four. Illinois punched its ticket to Indianapolis with a 71-59 win over Big Ten rival No. 9 Iowa in the South Region Final on Saturday night in Houston. The […]
All that stands in the way of Illinois’ first Final Four appearance since 2005 is…Iowa. Brad Underwood, Keaton Wagler, Kylan Boswell, and Andrej Stojakovic met with media ahead of the team’s biggest game of the year. A rematch with much higher stakes Illinois and Iowa met once already this season. The Illini took care of […]
Just how we all drew it up. For Illinois to advance to its first Final Four in two decades and have a shot at a national championship, the team standing in its way will be the… Iowa Hawkeyes. Yep. We wouldn’t want it any other way. So what does Illinois — which opened as a […]
Two years ago, Illinois rolled into the round of 16. They were in a 2 vs. 3 matchup. Their opponent was a top 10ish program with a top 10ish coach. It was described as a matchup of the potent Illinois offense against its opponent’s elite defense. Two years ago, Illinois had a dominant superstar guard […]
HOUSTON — A herd of orange lingered on the court as an empty Toyota Center sat ablaze with a buzz. Behind the crowd, Kylan Boswell bit his jersey, full of unbridled joy, Illinois had knocked out Houston 65-55 to advance to the Elite Eight. But this moment, this milestone, this achievement, was never a guarantee. […]
We all know KAMS is the place to be on campus. Of course, as a 2019 graduate of the university, I’m referring to old KAMS, but I’ve also ventured inside the new KAMS back in 2020, and it’s pretty good! And on Thursday night, it was pretty WILD. TCR’s Cooper O’Kelly on the ground at […]
How to Watch No. 3 Illinois vs. No. 9 Iowa (NCAA Tournament Elite Eight) Game Time: 5:09 p.m. Saturday TV Channel: TBS/TruTV Online Streaming: March Madness Live Odds: Illinois -5.5, O/U 137.5 (FanDuel Sportsbook) Quick Hits: Illinois Fighting Illini (27-8, 15-5 Big Ten) Head Coach: Brad Underwood (9th season) Last Game: Illinois 65, Houston 55 (Sweet 16) Iowa […]
HOUSTON – Facing KenPom’s No. 4-ranked defense, one that only gives up 62 points-per-game, Illinois simply had to want it more to come out victorious in an arena filled with Cougar red. It was clear that they did indeed want it more. The Illini walked into Houston and fought for a 65-55 win in a […]
Back in December through early February, when Illinois went 12-0, the Illini were one of the top three-point shooting teams. They were out-rebounding teams by double-digits. They got as high as No. 5 in the AP Poll on Feb. 2. Then, after the Michigan State loss in overtime, the Illini struggled down the stretch, going […]