Inside Illini Basketball

The continuation of summer workouts is about the only thing about July that matters ahead of the 2024-25 college basketball season now that rosters are, for the most part, set. But there's plenty happening away from campus this month, including NBA Summer League (five former Illini are playing) and Peach Jam (future recruiting jumps in importance). Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more...

The biggest takeaway from not quite 2 minutes of video of Illinois' summer workouts shared on social media? Ty Rodgers is looking comfortable and confident with his jump shot. Potentially a major development for him and Illinois. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

Illinois landed its five-star wing, with Will Riley officially signing(and reclassifying) after Sunday's commitment. Now it's up to Brad Underwood and Co. to figure out a roster that has five times as many newcomers as returning players. Who starts? What does the rotation look like? How many different lineups are possible? All questions to answer before November. Before that, beat writer Scott Ric...

The Illinois roster is nearly set for the 2024-25 season, and if Will Riley does, in fact, commit and reclassify newcomers will outnumber returning scholarship players nearly six-to-one. Brad Underwood has put the pieces of new-look groups together before, but how he mixes and matches a roster certainly not hurting for talent will be this offseason's final challenge. Beat writer Scott Richey discu...

Roughly a month ago Brad Underwood seemed content with adding just one more scholarship player. That 11 would be fine and that more can often be problematic. Kasparas Jakucionis was the 11th. But with Will Riley interested, Illinois would be happy to go to 12 if it meant landing the potentially reclassifying five-star prospect. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this week's episod...

Brad Underwood is still searching for the last piece to the 2024-25 roster — a wing scorer is the focus — while looking ahead to 2025, 2026 and 2027 recruits for future rosters. Coleman Hawkins is still searching for clarity with his NBA draft future. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

This week's milestone episode of "Inside Illini Basketball" features special guest Brad Underwood. Beat writer Scott Richey went 1-on-1 with the Illinois coach to discuss what last season's success means for the continued development of the program, staying nimble in the transfer portal era and much more.

Illinois' roster reconstruction continued Monday with the addition of 7-foot-1 center Tomislav Ivisic. The eighth newcomer ahead of the 2024-25 season. With three open scholarships still remaining. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses the Croatian big man, the potential impact of all the newcomers (with Kylan Boswell leading that group) and what next season's roster still needs in this week's episod...

The transfer portal closes Wednesday, but that doesn't mean the near complete roster overhaul will be a finished product. That process will assuredly consume the month of May (and maybe beyond, although that can't be Brad Underwood's wish). What's clear, though, is there's still work to be done to field a roster to compete at the top of the Big Ten. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more...

Illinois now has just three scholarship players set to return from last year's 29-win team that reached the Elite Eight. Only one of them played a significant role in the rotation. Only Ty Rodgers' continued presence (so far) makes it a complete and total roster reload for Brad Underwood. Otherwise known as college basketball in 2024. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this week's...

If there's one truth about college basketball in 2024, it's that rosters are going to change. Maybe coaching staffs, too. Illinois is in the thick of another roster reload, which got a weekend boost with a commitment from Arizona transfer Kylan Boswell. But Brad Underwood still has more to do. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses it all in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

Jase Butler reopening his recruitment. Constant portal activity. Brad Underwood a candidate at Kentucky? This April is turning out to be even wilder than expected for an Illinois team that has plenty of work to do before the 2024-25 season. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses it all in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

The 2023-24 Illinois basketball season ended Saturday in Boston. The upside? It was in the Elite Eight. The downside? It was a brutal loss to UConn. But there's no time to dwell on that. The 2024-25 season is already underway, with a transfer commitment getting things started. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses it all in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

Illinois is back in the Sweet 16. For the first time since 2005. March success had evaded Illinois for nearly two decades. A spot in the Sweet 16 was all the fan base wanted. Now that it's been secured? Might as well win the whole thing. The challenge gets stiffer — Iowa State for sure, then probably reigning champions UConn — but Illinois has proven in the last two weeks it's also one of the best...

Illinois won three games in three days in Minneapolis to claim its second Big Ten tournament championship in four years. The next goal? Chasing down a national title in the NCAA tournament, which would be the program's first. It all starts Thursday with a first-round game against Morehead State. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

Illinois is down to two guaranteed games left this season, with the Big Ten tournament starting this week in Minneapolis and the NCAA tournament right around the corner. Brad Underwood talks about the "abruptness of the end" all the time, and the end of the last several Illinois seasons has qualified. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

Ballots are due this week for All-Big Ten honors. It's not a question of if Illinois will be represented. It's more how many. Could Terrence Shannon Jr. be left off enough ballots to knock him off the First Team? It's not off the table. But Shannon, Marcus Domask and Coleman Hawkins should all be in consideration for some level or recognition. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that, the end of th...

Illinois ran out a true 10-man rotation in its win against Iowa. A clear departure from the tight group of seven Brad Underwood has used most of the season. So were the changes against the Hawkeyes a sign of something to come more consistently or a one-off for a frustrated coach? Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that, the final two weeks of the regular season and more in this week's episode of I...

Our Scott Richey is peppered with questions about Illinois — from a chance at a Big Ten title to the NCAA tournament (and need for more success) to whether transfers will be a crucial part of next year's team, too — in this week's episode of Inside Illini Basketball.

Episode 287: What's the level of concern? Illinois is still in second place in the Big Ten. Still trending positively toward the NCAA tournament. But that doesn't mean there aren't questions for Brad Underwood's team. Why isn't Ty Rodgers playing late in games? What's up with the defense? Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

It's early February and Illinois is both ranked in the top 10 nationally and a legitimate contender for the Big Ten title. A nice place to be. Also a place that can be easily vacated if Illinois doesn't take care of business the rest of this month. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that, Ty Rodgers and All-Big Ten honors in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

The last full month of the regular season is upon us where the result of each game means just that much more. At least for teams that still have conference championship aspirations. Like Illinois in the Big Ten. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that, Illinois' place in the AP Top 25 and the big swing Brad Underwood is taking on the recruiting trail in this week's episode of Inside Illini Basketb...

Terrence Shannon Jr. is back on the basketball court via judicial decree, and the early returns looked good with a top tier offense and a defense that could get back to its early-season form. What will it mean for Illinois moving forward? How much can the team help its long-term cause -- a top seed in the NCAA tournament — in a Big Ten not booming with all that many résumé-boosting opportunities....

Illinois faces a stretch in the Big Ten to end January that could provide an opportunity to minimize Sunday's home loss to Maryland. The conference isn't exactly full of world beaters, and none that might be actually populate the schedule in the next couple weeks. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that prospect, recruiting and handshake lines in this week'sInside Illini Basketball.

The metrics say Illinois is a top 10 team. So does the AP Top 25. But purely from a "Who have you beaten?" perspective, Illinois could use a few more notable wins. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that, Marcus Domask's rise and more in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.