Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Champaign, Illinois, USA across Basketball, Football.
Xavier Scott’s ability to rush the quarterback, cover receivers and adapt to multiple schemes made him indispensable for Illinois, whose defense faltered without him in 2025. As the 2026 season approaches, the team hopes his experience and the return of key players will restore a once‑promising campaign.
Projected to finish 37‑3 overall and 18‑2 in the Big Ten, the Illini enter the 2026‑27 season with lofty expectations, a deep backcourt, and a defense primed to dominate.
Five‑star point guard NaVorro Bowman Jr., a California native ranked No. 10 nationally, is weighing official trips to UConn, Texas, Arizona and Illinois, with the Illini making notable strides in his pursuit.
Former Illinois basketball player Ty Rodgers, now at Boise State, is expected to sit out the entire 2026‑27 season due to a lower‑body injury, a blow that has resonated deeply with the university's fan base.
Lincoln Riley acknowledges that USC's heavy reliance on the transfer portal slowed long‑term development, prompting a pivot back to high‑school recruiting and a balanced roster for 2026.