
Illinois Basketball Poised for 2026‑27 Breakout
With key returners, new additions and a top‑ranked recruiting class, the Illini are targeting a Big Ten crown and a deep NCAA tournament run.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Providence across Basketball, Hockey, Baseball.

With key returners, new additions and a top‑ranked recruiting class, the Illini are targeting a Big Ten crown and a deep NCAA tournament run.

Illinois is set to field a stronger lineup for the upcoming contest against Indiana after senior forward Andrej Stojakovic reversed his NBA draft plans, while the Hoosiers aim to leverage their own upgrades.

Andrej Stojakovic has withdrawn from the NBA Draft and will return to Illinois for his senior season, bringing back a key scorer and defender for a team eyeing a top‑five preseason ranking.
The Spartans welcome back a 7‑foot‑2 center and await the NBA decision of a standout point guard, even as a key wing departs for LSU.

Bryant University’s field hockey program reveals its 2026 schedule, highlighting a debut series against Boston University and a slate of home games at Steven '69 and Lily Cowen Field.

Lewis Uvwo, a 2027 five-star center with a 7‑foot‑7 wingspan, is emerging as a top recruiting target for Syracuse and several other elite programs.

Jordan Crawford, a 6‑foot‑3 guard known for his sharpshooting and leadership, has committed to the University of Missouri, adding a proven scorer to a program that has recently secured back‑to‑back NCAA Tournament appearances.
Jayden Reid's decision to transfer to Memphis highlights the program's appeal under coach Penny Hardaway, emphasizing energy, grit, and a fast‑paced style of play.

Iowa Hawkeyes have offered a 2029 commitment to RJ Evans, a 6‑foot‑5 small forward from Tampa, Florida, joining a growing list of programs vying for his signature. His father, Reggie Evans, brings a storied Iowa and NBA pedigree that amplifies the family’s connection to the university.
The Basketball Hall of Fame Tip‑Off will open its 2026‑27 season at the Mohegan Sun Arena, featuring Providence versus Nebraska and Rhode Island versus Monmouth on November 7, with tickets going on sale September 11.
Providence and the University of Rhode Island will join the Basketball Hall of Fame Tip‑Off at Mohegan Sun Arena on November 7, facing Nebraska and Monmouth respectively, while also preparing for the Maui Invitational.

Peteris Pinnis, a 7‑foot‑1 forward from Salaspils, Latvia, has signed with Oregon State as a sophomore, adding size, skill and global experience to the program.

Monmouth University’s men’s basketball team will open the 2026‑27 season at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Tip‑Off, meeting Rhode Island at the Mohegan Sun Arena on Nov. 7, 2026.

Peteris Pinnis, a 7‑foot‑1 forward from Salaspils, Latvia, has signed with Oregon State, adding a rare blend of height, mobility and rebounding skill to the program.
Missouri finalizes its 2026‑27 roster, adding guard Cord Stansberry, a 6‑foot‑4 transfer expected to bolster depth in the SEC transition.

Missouri basketball has locked in its 15‑player roster, completing the addition of Cord Stansberry, a 6‑foot‑4 guard expected to bring scoring depth to the team’s transition into the SEC.

Cord Stansberry, a 6‑foot‑4 junior from Western Carolina, joins the Tigers after a season that saw him average 14.1 points and 4 rebounds per game, adding depth at the guard position as head coach Dennis Gates continues to reshape the squad.

Colton Crowdis, a 6‑4 point guard from Toronto, commits to Marquette after narrowing his choices to St. John’s and Providence, bringing elite 3‑point shooting and playmaking to a team reshaped by departures and new acquisitions.

Colton Crowdis, a 6‑foot‑4 Canadian guard, has pledged to play for Marquette University, bringing four years of eligibility and a post‑graduate background to the program.

Colton Crowdis, a 6‑4 Canadian point guard, has pledged to join Marquette for the fall of 2026, bringing versatility and depth to the program.
Jordan Crawford joins Missouri’s roster, adding 3‑point shooting and depth while the team navigates a reshaped point‑guard landscape.

The Tar Heels announced the hiring of Ryan Tibaldi, completing a coaching staff that blends professional and collegiate pedigree under first‑year head coach Michael Malone.

The Tar Heels announced the hiring of Bryan Tibaldi, a seasoned assistant with NBA and major‑college experience, to bolster Malone’s coaching staff.

The Big Ten has released Illinois' conference opponents for the 2026‑27 season, revealing a schedule that balances challenging road trips with a host of winnable home games. With five returning Final Four players and new additions, the Illini hope to build on recent success.