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Penn’s five players from state of Illinois eyeing upset of 3-seed Illini on Thursday night.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

March 18, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

GREENVILLE, S.C. — As he approaches his fourth NCAA Tournament, Kylan Boswell had to pause when asked if he still gets nervous before playing in this event.
Boswell is one of the rare players in college basketball who have experienced the NCAA Tournament in each of his four seasons and will be making his second appearance in an Illini jersey.

“I’m sure when I’m in this locker room (Thursday) night before that first game the butterflies will be there,” Boswell said Wednesday from the Bon Secours Wellness Arena locker room. “The difference for me in this fourth time is you begin to realize its just another 40-minute basketball game.”

During last year's NCAA Tournament in Milwaukee in which then-No. 6 seed Illinois defeated Xavier in the first round but fell to Kentucky two days later, Boswell averaged 19 points, four rebounds and four assists. For his career, Boswell owns NCAA Tournament averages of 11.3 points, 2.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists.

“This one is different for me obviously because (Illinois head coach Brad Underwood) is stressing to me about the abruptness of the end,” Boswell said. “I want my end to be a national championship and I’ve said it before this week already but I just don’t care about anything else than doing everything I can for us to go 1-0 six different this week.”

By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst

March 18, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

You didn't think I'd skip over these guys did you? Of course not. I love special teams almost as much as I love line play. Besides, this is about as interesting an offseason in Illini special teams as we're ever going to get! There's competition at every major job, a new coach, and don't forget the impact of the new enormous video board!

Newcomers
I have to start with switch punter Jack Gray. We don't really know what we're going to be getting with Gray because as of this moment all you can see is videos from Pro Kick Australia and a ranking of 6th in the composite punter ratings for the Class of 2026. Even if you're evaluating by rankings though, they're are all over the place on Gray so its anyone's guess how he'll turn out. However, he's a fun guy to think about kicking at Illinois because of the ambipedal aspect (ambidextrous applies to hands, ambipedal applies to feet). Tennessee punter Jackson Ross is the only other ambipedal punter I've ever heard of, and though he's better with his right foot, he takes advantage of his special skill to kick with his left foot on situations where he can see that the return team has overcommitted to one side. As of right now the scuttlebutt is that he's for real and will be a factor at Illinois, but Memorial Stadium's wind tunnel has made or ruined many careers, and there's no way to prepare for it, and of course there's no substitute for in-game reps.

If Ethan Moczulski leaves and then comes back, is he really a newcomer? Well, don't think too hard about that because I decided to write about him here anyway. The good news with Moczulski is that he has a huge leg which allowed him to set the Illini record with a 63 yard field goal in 2024. The bad news is that he hasn't been consistent with that leg.

It should not surprise fans of the Illinois program, Fran McCaffery has an offense-centric Ivy League program at Pennsylvania similar to what he coached at Iowa for 15 seasons.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

March 18, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy The Wharton School)

CHAMPAIGN — It may be a first in NCAA Tournament history that a head coach got first-hand knowledge of his first round opponent because he was invited to attend that team’s shoot-a-round just two months ago.

In preparation for turned out to be a 73-65 victory over Penn State on Jan. 3 in The Palestra in Philadelphia, Illinois head coach Brad Underwood invited a friend and current head coach of the tennant of that historic building, Pennsylvania head coach Fran McCaffery, to his team’s shoot-a-round.

McCaffery, who attended and played for Penn and has returned to coach his alma mater to leads his fifth different program into March Madness in his first season at the Ivy League program.

“It was great being in The Palestra this year and seeing him…and just seeing him genuinely just so happy,” Underwood said on Sunday. “He’s at Penn, in The Palestra and he’s back home. His sheer joy for coaching and being back at his alma mater is really cool.”

Illinois freshman guard Destiny Jackson confirmed Sunday she’s been inactive for practice the last few days due to a cold/flu virus since Illini returned from Big Ten Tournament.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

March 17, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN — If you have to give Destiny Jackson credit for one thing, she’s honest.

After the Illinois first-year guard saw the Illini get announced as a 7-seed in Nashville during ESPN’s selection show on Sunday, the 19-year-old was asked about the team’s practice in the nine-day interim between a quarterfinal loss at the Big Ten tournament to Iowa. She declined to answer. Not because she didn’t want to answer - she couldn’t accurately answer the reporter’s question.

“I’m going to be honest with you I’ve been sick and haven’t been practicing so that’s a Berry Wallace question,” Jackson said with a smile.

Wallace, the sophomore All-Big Ten selection, was the other Illini player selected for this Selection Sunday media session. She has recovered from her broken nose and has been active for the 5-on-5 competitive practices inside Uben Basketball Complex in Champaign similar to the one on Sunday afternoon before the Illini women’s team were presented with the news of the program’s NCAA Tournament highest seed since 2000 and a first round matchup with 10-seed Colorado.

Illinois head coach Brad Underwood wants his bigs to take his Big Ten Tournament criticism personally before the 3-seed Illini begin the NCAA Tournament on Thursday night.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

March 16, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN — After securing just two rebounds and only one on the offensive end in the loss to Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tournment quarterfinals, Tomislav Ivisic acted unsure if Brad Underwood was targeting him for lack of effort.

“I don’t know. Was he talking about me? You got to ask him that,” Ivisic said after Underwood commented that he needed “somebody to give a **** enough to get a rebound” after Friday loss to Wisconsin.

Turns out, when asked on Sunday the Illinois head coach was, indeed, talking about Ivisic and other Illinois players for being defeated in offensive rebounds and second chance points in the 91-88 overtime loss inside the United Center in Chicago.

In 24 minutes against the Badgers, Tomislav Ivisic had just two rebounds, which is tied for his season low in-game total posted just four other times in the 2025-26 season. Ivisic’s twin brother, Zvonimir, had seven rebounds in 21 minutes off the bench Friday but none of them were on the offensive end off Illini misses. Zvonimir Ivisic’s rebounding total matched the combined effort of Jake Davis and Ben Humrichous.

And in case Tomislav Ivisic is wondering, his head coach would like for the 22-year-old to be somewhat offended by Underwood’s public disappointment. In March, Underwood isn’t looking for his players to love everything he says.

On the bus ride back to campus following the 91-88 overtime loss in the Big Ten Tournament, Kylan Boswell called a players-only meeting for Saturday at his apartment.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

March 16, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN — Kylan Boswell told media huddled around his United Center locker that thought the 137-mile bus ride back to Champaign would be more than interesting.

The small detail the fourth-year guard left out in that assessment was he would soon be sending out a text in the Illinois team group chat for everybody on the roster to meet at his house for an emotional players-only meeting.

The meeting was at least partially the result of a low-energy bus ride back to Champaign, the realization that one more loss like the one they just experienced (losing a 15-point lead in the second half) would spell the abrupt end to the 2025-26 season and a request from an unlikely source.

Illinois earned an at-large berth in back-to-back NCAA Tournament […]

Illinois gets a No. 3 seed in the South […]

By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst

March 15, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)

Illinois got a second big early addition to the Class of 2027 when Evanston Township defensive back Justin Johnson committed to the Illini over at least six other Big Ten offers as well as interest from around the country.  Johnson is a really big defensive back prospect who could fit all over the defensive backfield.  However, as you'll see, its rather hard to see where he fits into the Illini future because he played for a rough Evanston Township program that went 6-12 in the last two years.

What does he bring to the Orange and Blue?

Johnson is clearly a Big Ten football player.  His athletic ability stands out even against 8A competition and in case you were doubtful,

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

March 14, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

Lather. Rinse. Repeat. The Illini once again got a big lead, and once again failed to close it out in another overtime loss, this time to Wisconsin in the Big Ten tournament, 91-88. The Illini led by 15 points in the second half at 60-45, but Wisconsin battled back behind a monster second half from star guards Nick Boyd and John Blackwell, who combined for 69 points as the Badgers advanced to the Big Ten Tournament semifinals where they will take on Michigan.

Here’s a look at what we saw.

These 3 Things

Missed Free Throws Kill You - Illinois was 9-15 from the line and missed 2 front ends. In a game that goes to OT and is a 3 point game after OT, that is a losing proposition.

On a night where Wisconsin shoots 10 of 41 from three-point range, Illinois still surrenders 91 points in a frustrating Big Ten Tournament loss.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

March 14, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHICAGO — In the days following a regular season finale victory, Illinois head coach Brad Underwood was sure his team needed two full days off to adapt to the constant elimination game mentality of college basketball’s postseason.

After a frustrating 91-88 overtime loss to Wisconsin in Illinois’ first game of the 2026 Big Ten Tournament, Underwood left the United Center Friday evening believing a mental reset would likely be needed once again to avoid a one-and-done fate in the NCAA Tournament.

“I don't like narratives. I like figuring out how to solve the problems, and that's what we've got to do,” Underwood said following the quarterfinal loss in the Big Ten Tournament. “It's just one possession here or there. That's what this group has to understand. Today, I thought it was just a lack of focus.”

Underwood said Friday he has had to learn how to coach this Illini group differently than past teams because of the personality of this 2025-26 Illini roster being more comfortable with being relaxed, free-flowing and almost care-free in their mentality. With Illinois now being 1-6 in games where the final deficit is five points of less and Illinois’ sixth loss this season when they’ve scored at least 80 points in the game, Underwood may be seeing now that free attitude is the key to turning likely wins into perplexing defeats.

Illinois allows 69 combined points from Wisconsin guard duo […]

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

March 13, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)

Washington Wizards rookie Will Riley (left) takes in a game at State Farm Center with fellow former Illini star and Miami Heat rookie Kasparas Jakucionis during last month's All-Star break. (Courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – When Will Riley arrived at Illinois, expectations were already sky high for the talented wing from Canada. A five-star recruit with a reputation as a dynamic scorer, Riley was widely considered one of the best prospects to join the program in years.

He did not disappoint.

From his breakout freshman season in Champaign to carving out a role in the NBA, Riley’s path has followed the trajectory many projected. Now playing for the Washington Wizards, the former Illini continues to show the scoring ability and confidence that made him one of the most intriguing young players in college basketball last season.

Originally from Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, Riley prepared for college basketball at The Phelps School in Pennsylvania. The 6-foot-8 wing entered the 2024 recruiting class as a five-star recruit according to ESPN and finished ranked as the nation’s No. 12 overall prospect.

Illinois associate head coach Orlando Antigua immediately recognized the talent.

"This kid is a can't miss, his ability to score in bunches is something I've not seen in a few years," Antigua told IlliniGuys.

Riley wasted little time proving that assessment correct.

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

March 13, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)

The Illini are in Chicago with an opportunity on Friday to likely secure a 2-seed in the big dance with a win over a Wisconsin team that has some of the best wins in the country this season. The Badgers beat Illinois back on February 10th in Champaign 92-90 in overtime, but the Illini were without Kylan Boswell and Andrej Stojakovic. Nick Boyd and John Blackwell combined for 49 points and reserve big man Austin Rapp had 18 as Wisconsin overcame a 12-point deficit with 8 minutes to play.

Illinois could be on a revenge tour if they can handle the Badgers with a likely matchup against Michigan on Saturday for the winner.

Setting the Stage
2026 Big Ten Tournament // Chicago, Ill. // United Center
Quarterfinal
#9 Illinois // 24-7 Overall, 15-5 Big Ten 4 Seed vs. 5 seedWisconsin
Friday, March 13 // 1:30 p.m. CT
TV: BTN – Jeff Levering (Play-By-Play), Don MacLean (Analyst) & Rick Pizzo (Sideline)
Radio: Busey Bank Illini Sports Network – Brian Barnhart (Play-By-Play) & Deon Thomas National Radio: Compass Media Networks – Matt "Money" Smith (Play-By-Play) & Mike Wozniak (Analyst)
Satellite Radio: SiriusXM – 84

Notable
*Illinois is 24-7 overall, notching the program's most regular-season victories in the last 20 years. Illinois was Big Ten runner-up at 15-5, tying the second-most conference wins in school history. Head Coach Brad Underwood now owns the top three, and five of the top nine, winningest Big Ten seasons ever at Illinois. This is the fifth time in the last seven years that Underwood has led the Illini to a top-4 Big Ten Tournament seed and bye into the quarterfinals. Illinois has four Big Ten Tournament titles all-time, including two in the Underwood era in 2021 and 2024. Illinois is the winningest team in Big Ten play this decade, registering 96 league victories since 2019-20. The Illini are also one of only four teams nationally to record 20-win regular seasons in each of the last seven years, joined by Gonzaga, Houston, and San Diego State.

With scouts and professional personnel from all 32 NFL teams in attendance, former Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer’s final moments in Champaign was a complex throwing session.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

March 12, 2026

CHAMPAIGN — There is a time not that long ago where Luke Altmyer realizes that a pro day workout or a throwing session workout at the National Football League Scouting Combine might have overwhelmed his emotions.

Three years ago, Betsy Altmyer dropped off her son in Champaign hopeful he was on the road to being able to solve confidence and anxiety issues that go along with being a starter quarterback at a power conference program. On Thursday, Betsy was in attendance watching her 23-year-old conduct a full throwing workout in front of scouts from all 32 teams inside the Irwin Indoor Facility connected to the Smith Center.

“They dropped off a young man here a few years ago and I truly believe he transformed himself into a man,” Luke Altmyer said Thursday. “It’s taken some time but today was just another example of trying to make people believe that I’m the man for this job and I can do it whether it’s command a huddle, being an elite athlete and do everything needed to be a quarterback at this next level.”