Inside Illini Basketball

Illinois is trending in the right direction after a borderline disastrous start to Big Ten play. What that means as the season progresses is still to be determined, but there have been signs the Illini have figured out a path to success. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more.

What stood out most as the Illini won for the first time in four Big Ten tries? Brad Underwood was calm, cool and collected on the sidelines. 33-year N-G columnist Bob Asmussen - of Bob's Buzzer-Beaters fame - likes Coach's new demeanor ahead of games against Nebraska and Michigan State, But will it last? That and more in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

Has the vibe around the Illinois basketball program seemed off? Yeah, a little. But the Illini are still ranked — higher this week, even — and can still claim two elite-level victories. Beat writer Scott Richey discussed that and the upcoming Braggin' Rights game in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

How will Illinois emerge from what was a debacle of a loss to Penn State? The Illini are still ranked, but got all their momentum from beating Texas zapped in the loss to the Nittany Lions. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

Illinois' tough first month continues in the Jimmy V Classic in New York City with a ranked showdown with Texas. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that game, Illinois' place in the AP Top 25 and more.

Illinois will close the first month of the season with a challenging four-game stretch, including what will be the Illini's final Big Ten/ACC Challenge game. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that, freshman Skyy Clark and the latest AP Top 25 after getting some Syracuse insight from N-G editor and Syracuse, N.Y., native Jeff D'Alessio.

What separates this season's uplifting Illini with the last two to make the Final Four? The Flyin' Illini and Bruce Weber's 2005 crew each had cohesion thanks in part to a rock-solid starting five. Hall of Famer Loren Tate, who covered those teams, explains in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

Illinois' marquee nonconference games are this weekend in Las Vegas. A shot at two other ranked teams. An opportunity, then, to start next week as at least a top 10 team in the country. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

The 2022-23 college basketball season is here. Rejoice! Illinois will play twice this week and then once more before the true test comes in Las Vegas against a pair of ranked teams. Beat writer Scott Richey breaks it all down in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

The best Illinois players in this season's lone exhibition? Coleman Hawkins and RJ Melendez. It might be a mostly new-look Illini team — and new can be exciting — but the top two returners made it clear they shouldn't be forgotten. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

Illinois' secret scrimmage against Kansas delivered both some standout play and a Luke Goode injury. Beat writer Scott Richey dives into that and more with Jim Rossow.

A mostly brand new Illinois team hasn't taken any of the shine — or expectations — off the program with the Illini are ranked in the AP Top 25 preseason poll for the third straight year. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

The Big Ten preseason poll is out, and reigning champion Illinois checks in at No. 2 behind Indiana with Terrence Shannon Jr. as the preseason Transfer of the Year. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more.

What's the ceiling — the best case scenario — for Illinois this season? For the individual players that will drive whatever success the Illini have? Beat writer Scott Richey starts to break that down and discusses new commit Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn.

College basketball practices started Monday across the country (and in Champaign). Beat writer Scott Richey has preseason polls and All-Big Ten teams to submit. It's the latter that's giving him trouble, and he discusses that and more.

Practice starts next week. Preseason polls will drop in early October. College basketball is back, and beat writer Scott Richey discusses it all.

Beat writer Scott Richey breaks down Zacharie Perrin not joining Illinois this season, the Big Ten schedule (finally) and the near completion of Ubben Basketball Complex in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

Illinois finally struck in the Class of 2023, landing a commitment from four-star forward Amani Hansberry. Beat writer Scott Richey breaks down Hansberry's additions and laments there's still no Big Ten schedule in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

The college football season might start this week, but it's never not time to talk college hoops. In this week's Inside Illini Basketball that means beat writer Scott Richey weighing in on assistant coach Tim Anderson, recruiting and more.

The start of the 2022-23 college basketball season isn't all that far away, with official practices roughly a month-plus away. There's plenty to discuss in the interim, with beat writer Scott Richey discussing preseason rankings and recruiting in this week's…

The Illinois basketball team — players and coaches — has scattered for the last break in the schedule before the new school year starts. So beat writer Scott Richey was on the hot seat, answering plenty of hoops questions in…

The 2022-23 schedule is out! Well, at least the nonconference portion. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses the ins and outs of a ho hum home slate, FIBA hoops in Turkey and recruiting (always) in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

Tim Anderson was hired a year ago ... and what a year it's been for the Illinois assistant coach, who led the recruitment on multiple key additions for the 2022-23 season. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses Anderson's impact, recruiting (always)…

College basketball might never stop, but it can slow down a bit in the summer months. But there's still former Illinois standouts in the NBA Summer League, summer workouts on campus and recruiting. Always recruiting. Beat writer Scott Richey is…

The addition of French forward Zacharie Perrin should finalize the 2022-23 Illinois roster after some major retooling by Brad Underwood this offseason. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that, new addition to the Big Ten and recruiting in this week's Inside…