Featured

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Sr. Recruiting Analyst

February 18, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Sunday’s game against the Indiana Hoosiers at State Farm Center carried significance well beyond the final score.

Illinois snapped a two-game losing streak with a decisive 71-51 victory, powered by freshman David Mirkovic’s 25 points, seven rebounds, and three assists. Yet the Illini’s dominant performance on a nationally televised CBS broadcast was only part of the story. The arena also served as a reunion point for former Illinois standouts now in the NBA and a showcase moment for current commits and future recruiting targets.

Since Brad Underwood took over the program in the 2017-18 season, he has emphasized building a program that alumni take pride in returning to. That vision was visible on Sunday.

“Other than the win, the best part of my day was my locker room afterwards the game. When you get to former players being here, and Terrance (Shannon Jr.) has been here all week, that you get former players, enough though Dain (Dainja) left us, but this is home to him, you get those dudes back. Then you have some newbies in the room that haven't worn the jersey yet, and your current players, that's what this is all about. We can talk about wins and losses, but the relationships and all that is pretty cool,” Underwood said.

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

February 18, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)

The Illini are on the West Coast for the week, flying out to Californian on Monday afternoon as they will play a pair of road games in LA against the USC Trojans on Wednesday night and the UCLA Bruins on Saturday. The Illini now have senior guard Kylan Boswell back and are hoping they will have junior wing Andrej Stojakovic back this week as well as they try to get healthy heading into March.

Here’s a look at the particulars.

Setting the Stage
#10 Illinois (21-5, 12-3 B1G) at USC (18-7, 7-7 B1G)
Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026 // 9 p.m. CT (7 p.m. PT) // Los Angeles, Calif. // Galen Center
TV: BTN – Guy Haberman (Play-by-Play) & Don MacLean (Analyst)
Radio: Busey Bank Illini Sports Network – Brian Barnhart (Play-By-Play) & Deon Thomas

Notable
*No. 10 Illinois opens a two-game road trip to Los Angeles on Wednesday night, facing USC at the Galen Center. Illinois is coming off a dominant 71-51 home win over Indiana on Sunday afternoon. The Fighting Illini limited the Hoosiers to a season-low 51 points – including just 20 in the second half – and had just two turnovers, its fewest ever at State Farm Center. The contest was also marked by Kylan Boswell's return from a seven-game absence with a broken hand. David Mirkovic led the Illini with 25 points, seven rebounds and three assists.

*Keaton Wagler is the reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Week, his sixth honor his season. Wagler averaged 26 points, five assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.5 steals in a pair of games last week on 50% shooting from the field, including 43% from 3-point range. Wagler's six B1G Freshman of the Week accolades are the second-most in program history behind Kofi Cockburn's seven newcomer awards in 2019-20. Wagler has netted 480 points, just 14 away from the Illini freshman season scoring record of 494 total points set by Cory Bradford in 1998-99 and equaled by Kasparas Jakucionis last year.

* Illinois leads the nation in adjusted offensive efficiency (130.9), owning what currently stands as the highest offensive rating in the history of the kenpom era (since 1996-97). Illinois ranks fourth in the latest NET rankings and is tied for second in the nation with five Quad 1A wins.

*Illinois is 21-5 overall, the program's best 26-game record since also starting 21-5 in 2008-09. Illinois' 12-3 Big Ten record is its best since also starting 12-3 in 2020-21. Illinois last started 13-3 or better when the 2004-05 team won its first 15 league games. The famed 2005 Illini squad swept Big Ten regular season (15-1) and tournament titles and advanced to the Final Four, finishing as the NCAA runner-up at 37-2. Illinois has secured its seventh straight 20-win regular season under Brad Underwood. Illinois, Gonzaga, and Houston are the only three programs to win at least 20 regular season games every year since 2019-20. Illinois has also clinched a winning Big Ten record for the seventh straight season. Illinois is the only team to finish above .500 in Big Ten play every year since 2019-20.

Illinois used a surge in the second and third […]

New Illinois defensive line coach Jordan Thomas brings an expertise in the 3-3-5 scheme while also having college and pro coaching history on his resume.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

February 17, 2026

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The major transition of the Illinois defensive coaching staff is now complete with the hiring of defensive line coach Jordan Thomas.

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema said last week, during Bobby Hauck’s introductory media conference inside the Smith Center, that he had a coach inside the building on an interview who was familiar with the 3-3-5 scheme being brought to Champaign-Urbana by new defensive coordinator Hauck but had never previously worked with Hauck.

It turns out that person was Thomas as he was announced on Tuesday morning as the Illini’s new defensive line coach to replace Terrance Jamison. Thomas joins the Illini with 10 years of coaching experience ranging from college football to the National Football League, including stops at Boston College, the Cleveland Browns, and San Diego State.

“(Thomas) is a talented leader with experiences in our defense as both a player and coach, plus three years of developing defensive linemen in the NFL,” Bielema said in a university release. “We are excited to welcome Coach Thomas to our staff."

Illinois (17-8, 7-7) vs. Rutgers (9-16, 1-13) Tuesday, Feb. […]

By Larry Smith - IlliniGuys Co-Founder

How sweet was that?

Not just a win over Indiana. On national TV. But a complete butt-whippin'. That 71-51 shellacking of the hated rival Hoosiers was impressive in every way.

--It gave the Illini their first back-to-back 20-point wins in the series since 1956, before either program built an arena called Assembly Hall. Illinois thrashed Indiana 94-69 on their home court last year.
--It was the fewest points the Hoosiers scored against Illinois since falling 72-48 in March 2011 and their season-low point total.
--David Mirkovic scored a Big Ten career-high 25 points, giving notice to the nation of the Illini's other star freshman. It was reminiscent of fans tuning in to watch Terrence Shannon Jr. only to see Marcus Domask dominate with a series of moves.

It also marked the return of Kylan Boswell. The senior re-entering the starting lineup with a heavily-bandaged right hand, the remnants of that break suffered in practice nearly four weeks and seven games earlier. Determined to light a spark on the defensive end, he made his presence felt on offense as well with nine points - including a first half three-pointer - and seven rebounds in 33 minutes.

But there something else about this game that should have caught your eye. The Illini left their shooting prowess at home.

Days after hinting on WSCR in Chicago that he was “interviewing a Michigan guy”, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema hires former Michigan tailback and assistant coach Tyrone Wheatley.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

February 16, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Morgan State Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Just a few days ago, Bret Bielema hinted in a radio interview ‘a Michigan guy’ would likely be offered an assistant coaching opportunity and the Illinois head coach made good on that promise.

Tyrone Wheatley, a former 10-year NFL running back with 18 years of coaching experience most recently as a head coach of Wayne State University in Michigan, was officially named Illinois' running backs coach on Monday afternoon. Despite most Illini and Big Ten Conference football fans likely remembering Wheatley as the Michigan Wolverines physical running back of the early 1990s who totaled 4,187 career rushing yards, 510 receiving yards and 53 touchdowns in his playing career that included being named the 1992 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year and the Most Valuable Player selection of the 1993 Rose Bowl, Wheatley coaching resume includes NFL running backs coach jobs with the Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Denver Broncos, and at power programs of Syracuse and his alma mater of Michigan.

In a Friday morning radio spot on the ‘Mully and Haugh Show’ on WSCR in Chicago, Bielema told the show’s substitute anchor Ruthie Polinsky that “you’ll love this, we might be interviewing a Michigan guy” for one of the Illini’s open assistant coaching spots. Turns out that ‘Michigan guy’ was the man who currently still stands fifth on the Wolverines all-time rushing list behind only Mike Hart, Denard Robinson, Anthony Thomas and Jamie Morris.

The return of Illinois veteran guard Kylan Boswell results in Indiana producing its lowest scoring output of the season in a 71-51 blowout win for the No. 8 Illini.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

February 16, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Brad Underwood said he could see his basketball team losing what he called “the bite”, “its grip” and the effort needed on the defensive end.

Following back-to-back losses to Michigan State and Wisconsin, the Illinois head coach wasn’t the only one who saw it too.

“The (lack of) intensity on defense from my perspective was frustrating,” Illinois guard Kylan Boswell said about what he saw from the bench for the Illini’s previous seven games. “I feel like I can be that kind of outlet for the guys and a lot my teammates look up to me as that aggressive defender.”

Boswell, the Illini’s defensive x-factor, didn’t like we he had seen either over the last month while the veteran guard was nursing a fracture in his right hand.

By IlliniGuys Staff February 15, 2026 (Cover photo courtesy […]

By Brad Sturdy - IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst

February 15, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

After losing two straight, the Illini prepare for a huge game at the State Farm Center when a desperate Indiana team, looking for a resume win, comes to town. The Illini have had both Kylan Boswell and Andrej Stojakovic back for at least parts of practices now and were hoping they will be able to go. Stojakovic is listed as out today, but Boswell did not appear on the injured list, meaning the senior guard may see his first action since January 17th. The Illini have gone 5-2 in his absence.

The Hoosiers have won 5 of 6 after losing 4 in a row to vault back into NCAA tournament contention. Here’s a look at the particulars.

Setting the Stage
#8 Illinois (20-5, 11-3 B1G) vs. Indiana (17-8, 8-6 B1G)
Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026 // 12 p.m. CT // Champaign, Ill. // State Farm Center
TV: CBS – Andrew Catalon (Play-by-Play) & Clark Kellogg (Analyst)
Radio: Busey Bank Illini Sports Network – Brian Barnhart (Play-By-Play) & Deon Thomas National Radio: Compass Media Networks – Tom Ackerman (Play-By-Play) & Danny Green

Notable
*No. 8 Illinois hosts Indiana on Sunday afternoon at sold-out State Farm Center, opening a run of four straight Quad 1 games to close out February. Sunday is Illinois’ annual Stripe State Farm Center game. Fans with tickets in odd numbered sections are asked to wear orange, while fans sitting in even numbered sections should wear blue. All UI students are to wear orange.

*Illinois is looking to bounce back after a stretch of five games in 13 days that ended with back-to-back overtime losses at No. 10 Michigan State and home vs. Wisconsin. Illinois had previously won 12 consecutive games, the team's longest win streak in the last 13 seasons.

*Illinois ranks fifth in the latest NET rankings and is tied for second in the nation with five Quad 1A wins. Illinois is 20-5 overall, the program's best start since opening 21-5 in 2008-09. • Illinois' 11-3 Big Ten record is its best since the 2021-22 team also started 11-3 on its way to the regular-season title.

By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst

February 14, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Skyline Sports)

I had some insider info that the switch to 3-3-5 was coming, so I've been looking at this for a while. There are 23 teams in FCS that run it currently, but of course they all do things a bit differently, so I watched several games of Montana football against their best competition. Here are a few factors:

1. There aren't going to be three men on the line. I didn't see a single example of Montana lining up with three men on the line.

By IlliniGuys Staff

February 13, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

(Editor's note: IlliniGuys staffer Kedric Prince posted the following insider info on our premium message boards Thursday morning.)

A few tidbits here.

It’s OK to be upset about last night’s loss to Wisconsin. There’s nothing wrong with taking a few hours to reflect, especially for me. I’m fortunate to have built strong relationships with families and players over the years to provide small tidbits.

Let’s not forget Illinois was down two starters, not one, but two it does make a difference. Add the fact that the team has now lost back-to-back overtime games, without a full team, shows character. Andrej alone might have been enough to change the outcome. Sure, no one in the league cares about those circumstances, but the selection committee will take note of it.

I spoke with three parents last night. Here’s what they had to say...

By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst

February 13, 2026

Illinois enjoyed a real luxury last year by returning 5 starters on the line. Of course, the nature of college sports is that you can't keep the group together for long. So, this year Illinois is looking at one returning starter in Brandon Henderson, and because our backups barely played last year, we don't even know who among the reserves is ready to go. However, the way things have worked out, we're actually in pretty good shape. See below:

Newcomers
The staff made transfer center Jake Renfro a priority and I loved that move. When you're looking at a whole new group that has little to no Big Ten experience, it makes the most sense to spend your money on an experienced center. And the Mokena, Illinois-bred Renfro isn't just some guy either. He's started 36 games in college, including 6 as a true freshman at Cincinnati and earning all-conference honors as a redshirt freshman on the Cincinnati team that made the CFP. However, that's where the trouble started. Renfro missed all of the 2022 and 2023 years except for the 2023 Reliaquest Bowl for Wisconsin. Renfro started the 2024 season and played well, earning himself a spot on the Rimington watch list prior to the 2025 season. However, last year injuries hindered Renfro again and he started only 4 games. So, if Renfro can stay on the field and fight off his recurring ankle and knee injuries, he's not only an experienced leader for the unit, he's an upgrade to Josh Kreutz on the field. If not, well, TJ McMillen has been patiently waiting his turn. As a player, Renfro didn't move especially well even before his injuries, but we can also say goodbye to the days that Illinois had to assign a guard to anyone lined up on the nose because Josh Kreutz couldn't handle a defender by himself. Basically, if he can stay on the field, Illinois upgraded at the center position.

In describing the philosophical changes of Bobby Hauck’s 3-3-5 defensive scheme, Illini head coach Bret Bielema said he envisioned positional changes involving typically undersized players.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

February 13, 2026

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Bret Bielema might actually be the first one to admit publicly that he’s still in the process of fully learning the new defensive scheme coming to the Illinois football program.

The Illini’s head coach, who just finished his fifth season in charge of the Champaign-Urbana operation, has said multiple times, including on Thursday in an introductory media conference of his new defensive coordinator hire, that it’s a scheme he doesn’t have full expertise in but has been intrigued with for several years.

After hearing new Illinois defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck’s 15-minute media conference inside the Smith Center, Bielema said his primary vision for the most substantial change to the Illini’s defensive philosophy for the 2026 season could come in the form of how players are listed on the roster. Bielema hinted Thursday that Illinois, coming off 19 wins in the past two seasons, could substitute strength and power in its defensive line and linebackers with more speed and athleticism near the line-of-scrimmage.

“I think you’ll have some defensive ends that become [nose tackles], some outside backers become d-ends, some safeties become outside linebackers,” Bielema said on Thursday once Hauck’s news conference had concluded.

The first key to what Bielema said there is those three philosophical positional changes are about taking players and inserting them into a position not normally considered ideal height, weight and strength at this level of football.

Illinois will be moving Jordan Anderson, who started at […]