Basketball

Illinois enters the Big Ten Championships this week in Oregon as the top seed but somewhat battling a high standard built their own history of dominance within the league.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

April 28, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

URBANA — At 60 years old and in his 26th season in charge of the Illinois men’s golf program, Mike Small is at the point every coach strives for and then is immediately frightened when they get there.

After having led Illinois to the NCAA Championships in 16 of the last 17 years and 18 times overall in the last 25 years (no championship was held in 2020) and seeing the Illini to 13 conference team titles since 2009, Small’s program is the dominant favorite in this week’s Big Ten Championships once again.

“I think the history of this program and how we’ve almost dominated the conference for the better part of a decade and a half goes without saying on our team because our guys know it from the recruiting process because that’s why they came here,” Small said to local reporters on Tuesday. “I do think there’s some stress involved with that to be honest with you because they feel like they have to uphold their end of the bargain.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBUkriiC4NQ    

April 28, 2026

Legendary Illinois men's golf coach Mike Small is in his 25th season at his alma mater, establishing himself as one of the top coaches in the country while elevating the Illini to one of the nation's premier programs.
This week, they fly to the Portland, Oregon area for this weekend's Big Ten Championships. Illinois is once again the favorite, grabbing the field's number one seed as they take aim at their 14th conference title in the past 17 years. 

IlliniGuys' co-founder and editor Larry Smith caught up with coach Small earlier this week:

Larry Smith: Coach, it's Big Ten Championship time. What does this mean for you, when you get to this time of year?

Mike Small: Well, this, we call this our postseason. Larry. We have our fall season, our spring season, and our championship season, and this is our post-championship season. These are the events that are important to us, these are the ones that people remember, these are the ones that go on the record books, and they give rings out for these things, so it's always an important thing for us. I mean, we've had success at them for a number of years now, and it's something that we've built to throughout the year, so it's something that doesn't surprise the guys, it's something that doesn't just come up on them and, 'oh my gosh, it's here'. It's something we've prepared for and something that's been a staple of our program.

LS: This is something I know is very important to you, winning 13 of the last 16 Big Ten Championships. Talking with you a number of times after the Big Ten Championship, I can tell, the 3 misses bother you maybe more than the 13 wins that you've had in that. Is that a fair assessment?

MS: As time goes on, you learn to appreciate the good ones. But yeah, as a competitor, and I think all coaches would say that when they're that close, and they're that nip and nip and tuck for everything, you know, when you do finish second, it kind of stings a little more, maybe. Yeah, 13 wins in 3 seconds, our last 16 years, and that means we're in the game

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Sr. Recruiting Analyst

April 27, 2026

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Illinois men’s and women’s basketball programs appear to be finished with the 2026 transfer portal, at least for now, though surprises have not been uncommon.

With the dust settled and speculation surrounding 5-foot-11 do-it-all guard Divine Bourrage now behind, a deeper look reveals a story that goes beyond rankings, recruiting buzz, and assumptions. For any reporter, journalist, or recruiting analyst, it serves as a reminder: never assume, even when you think you know things.

Bourrage drew major attention as a high-profile prospect, with some of the nation’s top women’s programs, including multiple Final Four teams, pursuing her in high school. It would be easy to assume her path followed a typical blueprint. But her mother, Leanne Binion, felt their journey was anything but typical.

When told that coaches believed Bourrage had WNBA talent, Binion responded candidly.

By Brad Sturdy - IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst & Co-Host, IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular

April 27, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Naperville Sun)

The Shoe circuit kicked off this past weekend with the Adidas 3SSB and the Nike EYBL rolling and numerous Illinois commitments and key targets were in action and performed extremely well. Here’s a recap of the weekend that saw some big performances:

Illinois 2027 commitment Mason Martin was an under the radar kid when he committed to Illinois, and is still ranked as a 3-star recruit with his best offer besides Illinois coming from St. Louis. But you will now see national pundits talking about him after his weekend in California.

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By IlliniGuys Staff

April 23, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

It's been a time of the year fit only for the fittest of Illini fans.

Transfer portal season. Portal Kombat. When the fortunes of your team's next season can be decided.

Illinois has had some wins. Terrence Shannon Jr. Marcus Domask. Andrej Stojakovic. Zvonimir Ivisic. Alfonso Plummer. Jacob Grandison. Quincy Guerrier.

And some that didn't pan out as hoped. Carey Booth. Matthew Mayer. Brandon Podziemski.

But the stakes were different this time. If Brad Underwood could keep his core from leaving, the needs were few. The Illini head coach and staff worked diligently late in the season and after the program's first Final Four run in 21 years to identify a number of options depending their own player movement. It turned out, they needed only one - grabbing Providence sharp-shooter Stefan Vaaks less than 24 hours after All-American and future top 10 NBA Draft pick Keaton Wagler made his decision to move on. The 6-foot-7 Estonian was largely viewed as one of the top 10 players in the portal and Illinois made quick work to bring him into the fold.

The other player of interest was Wisconsin shooting guard John Blackwell. Bringing in the All-Big Ten third teamer and son of former Illini Glynn Blackwell would have unquestionably given Illinois the best starting five in the country. But in the end, it wasn't a good fit, whether it was Blackwell wanting to have the ball in his hands more or wanting more money in his hands, the Illini moved on and will enter the upcoming season in everyone's preseason top 5 with their top five available returning players, Vaaks, and a top-shelf recruiting class that includes a pair of athletic top-40 guards.

Will that be enough? How did the Illini navigate the battles in Portal Kombat this time around? We asked the IlliniGuys for their thoughts:

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Sr. Recruiting Analyst

April 21, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy player's X page)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Illinois women’s basketball program is already keeping a close eye on one of the state’s emerging young prospects.

IlliniGuys received a tip from former Peoria Manual Rams coach David Williams, who now trains players throughout the Peoria area, that Kate McDougall, a 5-foot-11 freshman wing from Washington High School, is on Illinois’ radar.

After reviewing video footage provided by Williams, it is easy to see why Illinois assistant coach Britney Anderson has taken the lead in McDougall’s recruitment. The early impressions from the Illinois staff have left a strong mark on both the player and her family.

By Larry Smith - IlliniGuys Co-Founder

April 20, 2026

Good morning from the IlliniGuys editorial desk! And if you can't feel good about what's happening at Ubben, let me know so I can add you to my prayer list.

The transfer portal window will close soon and Illini head coach Brad Underwood and his staff have played this about as well as anybody could have expected. Here's where we stand as the team's roster has taken shape:

April 19th, 2025

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Sr. Recruiting Analyst

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Illinois men’s basketball team has added another name to its list of departures, as guard Brandon Lee has entered the 2026 transfer portal. On3 first reported the news on X.

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Sr. Recruiting Analyst

April 18, 2026

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The lead matters in journalism, and right now, Illinois basketball is writing one that’s hard to top. What’s unfolding in Champaign feels unprecedented, as the Illini continue to build momentum on the recruiting trail in a way that may be unmatched in program history.

Head coach Brad Underwood and his staff, associate head coach Orlando Antigua, recruiting coordinator Geoff Alexander, offensive coordinator Tyler Underwood, defensive coordinator Camryn Crocker, and director of player development Zach Hamer, are operating at an elite level.

That continued Friday afternoon when Illinois secured a commitment from Wisconsin Mr. Basketball Zavier Zens.

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

April 18, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois power forward David Mirkovic will be back in the saddle again, and his return could reshape expectations for the Illini heading into next season.

IlliniGuys staff writer Matt Stevens was ahead of the game, reporting that Mirkovic signed a multi-year deal with Illinois last summer, setting the stage for long-term stability in Champaign.

The outspoken forward made it official this week, taking to social media to announce his return, providing clarity for Illinois fans and the rest of college basketball. His decision sets the tone for a strong returning core and immediately places the Illini among the nation’s most intriguing teams.

By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

(Cover photo courtesy Jeremy Dunk)

There are a lot of questions remaining about how the Illini basketball squad is going to work out this fall, but one thing is sure: the name at the bottom of the roster.  Zavier Zens of basketball powerhouse Wisconsin Lutheran of Milwaukee is the newest Illini. 

Zens is a 6'7"three-point sniper who will fit in very well on an Illini team that values tall perimeter players who can stretch the defense.  Zens is more than just a shooter too.  Anyone would focus on his elite shooting numbers first (42% from 3 to go with 62% from the field overall).