Illini Hoops

NEWS: Former #illini Ty Rodgers has signed with Boise State, @mzenitz and @chris_hummer report Why it matters & what it means: 247sports.com/colleg...

As it stands, this is a Final Four caliber roster, and it’s April 17th. Brad and staff have done a tremendous job ensuring continuity. A lot of talent, and we might not be done.

Andrej Stojakovic = BACK! #TheRetention

The Ivisic Bros = BACK! #TheRetention

Jake Davis = BACK! #TheRetention

David Mirkovic!!! Year 2!!

I expect Illinois to add another guard in the portal (and is still aggressively pursuing Blackwell), but if the #illini can retain its core, this would be one hell of a starting lineup as is: Stefan Vaaks Quentin Coleman Andrej Stojakovic David Mirkovic Tomislav Ivisic

🚨 TRANSFER COMMIT 🚨 Illinois lands Providence guard Stefan Vaaks in the transfer portal. 6-7 rising sophomore who averaged 15.8 PPG, 3.2 APG, and shot 35% from deep on high volume. Really crafty playmaker who can be extremely effective in PnR sets. Great positional size add at point guard. #illini

🫡🫡🫡

The college basketball transfer portal opens Tuesday, and the comings and goings in April will have a major impact on what the preseason Top 25 looks like for 2026-27. But what’s the fun in waiting?

Hell of a season. Don’t hang your heads. I-L-L. We’ll be back.

Likely little coverage today. Enjoying the moment. Enjoy the game, and I-L-L!

Here is a Fighting Illini sport coverage starter pack before the final four matchup vs UConn this evening. If there is anyone covering Illinois not on the list let me know and I will get them added.

GAMEDAY 🧡💙

>> Adam Finkelstein's scouting report on Quentin Coleman and his fit with #illini

Illinois x UConn Round 2 Hereeeeeee we go.

I didn’t realize until now that Illinois won by double digits hitting 3 threes…

Just bought everything to Indy ✈️ Hope to see all of y’all there. Literally a once in a lifetime opportunity. I-L-L

YOUR 2025-26 FIGHTING ILLINI ARE GOING TO THE FINAL FOUR!!!! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?!?!?

Can almost taste it…

That’s 6’9” breaking down a guard off the dribble to hit 7’2” for an oop. Insane.

Posting Tomislav Ivisic = Instant offense. Great calls by Illinois there. Largest lead of the game for the Fighting Illini at 5.

Illinois has been so damn good on the glass, and 3/15 from three is keeping this a game. Keep feeling like Illinois has a chance to sustain a lead, and Iowa keeps making tough shots. Credit the Hawkeyes

Keaton Wagler is filthy

Keaton Wagler is not human…

Up and down we go. Great intensity to start the 2nd half, but you know this one is going to be a barnburner.

Usually this type of box score screams “normalization to the mean” but I’m concerned with the level of aggression I’ve seen on both sides of the ball. “Vibes” favoring Iowa right now.

Down 32-28 at the half and really don’t know how to feel. +6 in terms of shot attempts and -20% field goal percentage screams “regression to the mean in favor of Illinois”, yet Iowa looks like tougher and more disciplined team in every facet of the game right now.

Whenever Kylan says “I gotta show I’m a good defender and pick my guy up at 35 feet” it normally ends poorly

No way to say it other than Iowa has been the better basketball team through 20 minutes. Still 20 minutes to change the result, but damn man.

Feels a little “lucky to be alive” with the way Iowa has been carving up our defense with pick-and-roll looks. A bit surprising we haven’t seen the same degree of hard hedging we threw at Houston. A lot of chasing through ball screens leading to open looks at the top-of-the-key for three.

Elite reference by Robbie Hummel

Please let the horn issue be what turns Iowa into a cold shooting team

The teams are now warming up again and getting up shots as the management crew tries to figure out the buzzer. They have not yet.

#HornGate

Illini Keaton Wagler pull up three against the switch

Multiple Hawkeyes with 1 foul, and Sage has 2. Keep pounding the ball inside and getting to the free throw line. This team has no answer for our size if we deploy it the right way. #illini

Like the shot volume stats for Illinois right now, just can’t have stupid turnovers. Fortunate to get that one back with a Kylan Boswell poke-away after David dribbled into traffic.

We should be able to DOMINATE the rebounding and foul margins tonight. Do that tonight, and Iowa will need to be near perfect from three to keep up.

Great effort on the offensive glass + better emphasis on getting the ball inside with AS. Stirtz threw up an absolute prayer that happened to fall. I’ve thought the defense has settled in a lot after a rocky first 4 minutes

Sleepwalking into the Elite 8… 12-2 Iowa at the first media timeout

Iowa stands between Illinois and its first Final Four since 2005. Couldn’t have drawn this up better…

For the 2nd time in 3 years: Your Illinois Fighting Illini are going to the Elite 8!! I-L-L!

FINAL BOSS: the most aggressive defense in college basketball putting on a full court press with their season on the line.

David Mirkovic somehow not fouling there AND blocking the three is incredible

Illinois please…. 🙏

Tomislav Ivisic in the NCAA Tournament