
Illinois Emerges as NBA Guard Factory
Illinois has quietly become a magnet for NBA‑ready guard talent, with three of its alumni hearing their names called in the first round of the draft since 2024.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Brad Underwood across Basketball.

Illinois has quietly become a magnet for NBA‑ready guard talent, with three of its alumni hearing their names called in the first round of the draft since 2024.

An early look at Illinois’ 2026‑27 Big Ten slate reveals a blend of formidable opponents and winnable games, positioning the Fighting Illini for a deep conference run and a shot at the national title.

The University of Illinois has added 18‑year‑old Serbian center Lana Brenjo from Mega Superbet, a move that could reshape the team's interior dynamics.

The upcoming Big Ten slate offers Illinois a more manageable path, highlighted by winnable home games and a roster bolstered by returning talent.

The Big Ten Baseball Tournament kicks off in Omaha, Illinois and Iowa lock in long‑term coaching deals, and Michigan secures a legacy recruit.

UCLA’s 2025‑26 basketball outlook hinges on a revamped roster and a challenging Big Ten schedule, with key transfers and projected matchups shaping the narrative.

After capturing the national championship, the Wolverines bring back key talent while adding fresh faces, but a crowded field of contenders makes the road to another title anything but certain.

After capturing a national championship, the Wolverines face a major roster overhaul but bring back key talent and a highly ranked recruiting class, positioning them as contenders with +700 odds.

The latest rankings highlight a surge of elite prospects from Illinois, led by Coleman’s ascent and supported by a cohort of rising stars.

A new agreement could keep Brad Underwood leading the Illini through 2036, rewarding a program that reached the Final Four and set new revenue records.

The university announced a multi‑year deal that could keep the coach through 2036, underscoring its commitment to sustained excellence.

Illinois coach Brad Underwood has reshaped the program with a daring schedule that pits the Fighting Illini against top national powers, aiming to secure a deep NCAA tournament run.

Keaton Wagler, once a modest three‑star prospect, has surged to become a consensus All‑American and a top‑10 NBA Draft candidate, guiding the Illini to the Final Four and earning praise from coach Brad Underwood.

After a Final Four run, Illinois announces a two‑year series with Duke, beginning in Durham next year and concluding in Champaign in 2027.

The Illini will visit Duke in November 2026 before hosting the Blue Devils in December 2027, continuing a series Duke leads 6‑3 while Illinois faces a slate of tough road games and conference matchups.

Illinois will host Duke in Champaign on Dec. 4, 2027, after a road test at Cameron Indoor Stadium on Nov. 17, as both teams bring recent success and a shared ambition to dominate early-season play.

Duke and Illinois will open a two‑year series in November 2026, with Illinois visiting Cameron Indoor Stadium before the Blue Devils return the favor in December 2027.

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.
Illinois will travel to Duke’s Cameron Indoor Stadium in November 2026 and host the Blue Devils in December 2027, adding a marquee series to a packed slate that includes road tests against Texas Tech, UConn and several Big Ten powerhouses.

University of Illinois men's basketball head coach Brad Underwood will compete in the John Deere Classic on July 1, sharing the course with PGA Tour regulars and enjoying concerts by Carrie Underwood and Old Dominion after the final round.

Andrew Bittle, a 2025 graduate of the University of Illinois, has been appointed video coordinator for the University of Cincinnati men's basketball team, bringing a stint that included a Final Four run and extensive scouting analytics.