Inside Illini Basketball

Illinois' final nonconference game (Wednesday against Florida A&M) was canceled because of COVID-19 issues in the Illini program. What will happen with Big Ten play set to resume this weekend? Beat writer Scott Richey addresses the news of the day…

Illinois has just two more games in 2021. Two more tune ups before the Big Ten grind begins in earnest. That includes this week's Braggin' Rights game — one that's become borderline "must win." Beat writer Scott Richey breaks it…

Illinois has played some good basketball of late, including a 2-0 start in the Big Ten with wins against Rutgers and Iowa. But the Illini can still reach another level. Need to, in fact, to reach some of their own…

Power programs playing each other at campus sites? Yes please. Saturday it will be Illinois vs. No. 11 Arizona at State Farm Center — an opportunity for the streaking Illini to get back in the AP Top 25. Beat writer…

Brad Underwood has pieced together a new starting lineup almost every game this season as injury and illness have ripped through the Illinois roster. Beat writer Scott Richey breaks down the state of the Illini as November comes to a…

High school basketball got underway Monday in Illinois. College basketball officially starts Tuesday with the first games of the season. Best time of the year — by far. Beat writer Scott Richey breaks it all down in this week's Inside…

The exhibition season is over. The next time Illinois plays it will count. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses where the team stands — plus some recruiting — in this week's episode of Inside Illini Basketball.

Illinois' first exhibition game at least provided an opportunity to see the team up close. Any other takeaways? They have to be tempered by the level of opponent. Beat writer Scott Richey dives deep in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

Monday's release of the AP Top 25 preseason poll was another reminder that the college basketball season is right around the corner. Beat writer (and AP voter) Scott Richey discusses his ballot and the poll in this week's Inside Illini…

Beat writer Scott Richey spent this past Saturday morning watching Illinois basketball's open practice. He breaks down what he saw — and why he feels validated for having the Illini as the No. 5 team in the country — in…

The 2021-22 college basketball season is officially underway, and the Big Ten and AP preseason polls are due out soon. Beat writer Scott Richey votes in both and breaks down where Illinois might land in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

The 2021-22 college basketball season starts this week. Beat writer Scott Richey breaks down where Illinois might wind up in the preseason Big Ten and AP Top 25 polls, discusses recruiting and previews the coming basketball coverage in The News-Gazette…

The college basketball season starts 50 days from Monday. Even sooner if you factor in official practice (next week) and exhibition games (late October). Music to Illini fans' ears. Beat writer Scott Richey hits on that and more recruiting —…

Brad Underwood's intent by casting a wide recruiting net? Having some backup options — as in multiple — when primary targets head elsewhere. Beat writer Scott Richey breaks down why that's a topic of conversation now and takes a look…

Early September marks the last "slow" time for Illinois basketball after a busy offseason and before the 2021-22 campaign begins. Recruiting, of course, never stops. Beat writer Scott Richey has the breakdown on some names to know in this week's…

Kofi Cockburn's return thrust Illinois back into the thick of Big Ten title contention. In this week's Inside Illini Basketball, beat writer Scott Richey takes a look at just how big a favorite Illinois might be while diving into recruiting…

It's game week for ... Illinois football. But that holds some importance for Brad Underwood's basketball team, too. A home football game means recruits on campus, and Underwood and Co. are expecting some important ones. Beat writer Scott Richey dives…

Legendary conversation. Special guest Loren Tate, a USBWA Hall of Famer, weighs in on everything from Ayo's role in the NBA Summer League to Kofi Cockburn's legacy to Brad Underwood's future at Illinois to his favorite gyms to watch Illini…

Illinois released its full nonconference schedule Monday, making for an easy topic of conversation in this week's Inside Illini Basketball. Beat writer Scott Richey also hits on recruiting and the Big Ten as a college basketball entity.

Ayo Dosunmu snapped a lengthy NBA draft drought for Illinois last week. Can Andre Curbelo or Kofi Cockburn — or maybe both — keep it going in 2022? Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this week's Inside…

Sure, the end of summer is approaching. But Illinois has its coaching staff finalized (save for one additional staffer spot) and its roster settled. The next month can be solely focused on prepping and improving for the 2021-22 season. Beat…

After a somewhat tumultuous offseason, Illinois basketball is back on rather solid ground. The assistant coaches are hired. Kofi Cockburn is going back. The Illini are a likely top 10 team again heading into 2021-22. Beat writer Scott Richey breaks…

One Illinois basketball offseason domino fell last week with the announcement of Tim Anderson's hire as an assistant coach. That doesn't mean things are fully settled for the Illini heading into the 2021-22 season. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses what's…

As if there wasn't enough going on for Illinois basketball this season. Now you can add Kofi Cockburn entering the transfer portal, a new gig for Tyler Underwood, another Class of 2022 commit and the pursuit of Marquette transfer Dawson…

June was a busy month for Illinois, with some campus visitors, coaches back on the road recruiting and nearly 20 new offers. Beat writer Scott Richey breaks it down in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.