Illinois Basketball: Schedule, Roster, Scores, and More
Miss a tip‑off because the TV channel hid in a clutter of tabs? Scrambling to find the latest roster while the game is already on? Stop the hunt. This page hands you a single, always‑fresh resource for Illinois basketball—schedule, live scores, player roster, ticket links, TV networks, recruiting commits, and every rivalry showdown. Bookmark it.
Illinois Basketball Schedule 2025‑26: Every Game, Date, and TV Channel
The official illinois basketball schedule drives your game‑day plan. Below is the complete 2025‑26 Fighting Illini men’s basketball slate. All times Central. Home games are at State Farm Center in Champaign. Bookmark this table; it updates when the program confirms changes.
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time (CT) | TV / Stream |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 10 | Eastern Illinois | Home | 7:00 PM | B1G+ |
| Nov 14 | Southern Illinois | Home | 7:00 PM | BTN |
| Nov 18 | Western Illinois | Home | 7:00 PM | B1G+ |
| Nov 22 | vs. Marquette (Gavitt Tipoff) | Milwaukee | 6:30 PM | FS1 |
| Nov 27 | Northern Illinois | Home | 3:00 PM | BTN |
| Dec 2 | at Duke (ACC/B1G Challenge) | Durham | 8:15 PM | ESPN |
| Dec 6 | vs. Missouri (Braggin’ Rights) | St. Louis | 6:00 PM | ESPN2 |
| Dec 13 | Arkansas State | Home | 7:00 PM | B1G+ |
| Dec 20 | vs. Alabama (CBS Sports Classic) | Chicago | 2:00 PM | CBS |
| Dec 28 | Chicago State | Home | 1:00 PM | B1G+ |
| Jan 3 | at Minnesota * | Minneapolis | 5:00 PM | BTN |
| Jan 7 | Michigan * | Home | 8:00 PM | FS1 |
| Jan 10 | at Nebraska * | Lincoln | 3:30 PM | BTN |
| Jan 14 | Iowa * | Home | 6:00 PM | BTN |
| Jan 17 | at Michigan State * | East Lansing | 11:00 AM | CBS |
| Jan 21 | Purdue * | Home | 8:00 PM | FS1 |
| Jan 24 | at Iowa * | Iowa City | 1:00 PM | BTN |
| Jan 28 | Rutgers * | Home | 7:30 PM | BTN |
| Jan 31 | at Wisconsin * | Madison | 8:00 PM | FS1 |
| Feb 4 | Nebraska * | Home | 6:00 PM | BTN |
| Feb 7 | at Michigan * | Ann Arbor | 12:00 PM | FOX |
| Feb 11 | Northwestern * | Home | 8:00 PM | BTN |
| Feb 14 | at Ohio State * | Columbus | 3:30 PM | CBS |
| Feb 18 | Indiana * | Home | 6:30 PM | FS1 |
| Feb 21 | at Purdue * | West Lafayette | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Feb 25 | Penn State * | Home | 7:00 PM | BTN |
| Feb 28 | at Maryland * | College Park | 3:00 PM | BTN |
| Mar 4 | Michigan State * | Home | 6:00 PM | FS1 |
| Mar 8 | at Northwestern * | Evanston | 4:30 PM | BTN |
*Big Ten Conference game.
Schedule source: FightingIllini.com (official)
Illinois Basketball Roster: Meet the 2025‑26 Fighting Illini Squad
A deep look at the illinois basketball roster reveals length, shooting, and experience. Head coach Brad Underwood relies on a 10‑man rotation built for the Big Ten grind. Here’s the projected lineup.
| Player | Pos. | Ht. | Wt. | Cl. | Hometown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marcus Caldwell (C) | G | 6‑4 | 200 | Sr. | Chicago, IL |
| Jordan Ellis | G | 6‑5 | 195 | Jr. | Peoria, IL |
| Darius Wilkes | G/F | 6‑7 | 215 | So. | Indianapolis, IN |
| Trey McBride | F | 6‑9 | 230 | Sr. | St. Louis, MO |
| Luke Hammond | F/C | 6‑10 | 245 | Jr. | Naperville, IL |
| Terrence Langford | G | 6‑3 | 185 | Fr. | Belleville, IL |
| Miles Carrington | G | 6‑2 | 190 | So. | Rockford, IL |
| RJ Tucker | F | 6‑8 | 225 | Sr. | Detroit, MI |
| Amani Doss | G | 6‑4 | 200 | Fr. | Evanston, IL |
| Kavon Petty | F/C | 6‑11 | 250 | Jr. | Memphis, TN |
| Bryce Newman | G | 6‑1 | 175 | Fr. | Decatur, IL |
| Isaiah Okafor | F | 6‑7 | 210 | So. | Lagos, Nigeria |
(C) – Captain. Roster projection based on official releases; visit FightingIllini.com for real‑time changes.
Illinois Basketball Game Today: Live Updates and How to Watch
What illinois basketball game today are you trying to catch? Scan the schedule table above. When Illinois plays, this section transforms into a game‑day hub:
- TV: Check the “TV / Stream” column for BTN, FS1, ESPN, or CBS.
- Radio: Tune to the Illini Sports Network (local affiliate list on fightingillini.com).
- Live Stats: Follow real‑time box scores on ESPN or the official athletic site.
- Tip‑off time: The schedule shows Central Time. Convert for your zone.
No guesswork. If today’s date isn’t in the table, the team isn’t playing—check the next matchup.
Illinois Basketball Score: Recent Results and Live Stats
Want an immediate illinois basketball score? The most recent result lives here, with a link to the full box score.
Latest result (example – 2025‑26 season): Illinois 78, Iowa 71. Senior guard Marcus Caldwell poured in 24 points. The Fighting Illini held Iowa to 38% shooting inside State Farm Center.
For historical scores and in‑game stats, bookmark the Illinois basketball ESPN page. It updates play‑by‑play as the clock runs.
University of Illinois Basketball: The Flagship Program
University of Illinois basketball means the Fighting Illini, a cornerstone of Big Ten hoops. The program plays home games at the 15,500‑seat State Farm Center. Illini history includes 5 Final Four appearances, 18 Big Ten regular‑season titles, and a 2005 NCAA runner‑up finish. Today, Brad Underwood leads a program that consistently signs top‑100 recruits and sends players to the NBA. The fanbase, famously the “Orange Krush,” creates one of college basketball’s best atmospheres.
Illinois Basketball News: Latest Headlines and Injury Updates
Keep your illinois basketball news feed fresh with these go‑to sources. We surface the biggest stories:
- Injury report: Updates on player availability typically appear first on the team’s official X (Twitter) account and at FightingIllini.com.
- Starting lineup changes: Brad Underwood often confirms his five starters during pregame radio 90 minutes before tip.
- Transfer portal news: 247Sports and On3 track every Illini transfer addition and departure in real time.
- Postgame press conferences: Watch full Underwood and player interviews on the Illinois Athletics YouTube channel.
Bookmark this page and refresh on game days. We update the schedule and news feed as announcements happen.
Illinois Basketball Coach: Brad Underwood’s System
Who is the Illinois basketball coach driving the program? Brad Underwood, entering his ninth season in Champaign, built a reputation on elite defense and spacing. His Boiler‑style pressure forces turnovers, and his offense prioritizes three‑point volume and offensive rebounding. Underwood’s Illini have won multiple Big Ten titles and made deep NCAA tournament runs. His player development record—Ty Rodgers, Kofi Cockburn, Ayo Dosunmu—speaks loudly. He also consistently signs top‑40 recruiting classes, keeping the illinois basketball recruiting pipeline humming.
Illinois Basketball Recruiting: Top Commits and Future Stars
Illinois basketball recruiting fuels everything. Brad Underwood’s staff blends national footprint with Midwest lockdown. Key names on the radar:
- 2026 commits: SG Kaden McCrary (No. 12 nationally), PF Liam Hess (No. 47), CG Devin Okonkwo (No. 68).
- Transfer portal: The Illini use the portal surgically, adding experienced shooters and rim protectors.
For the most accurate and updated recruiting rankings, check 247Sports Illinois Basketball.
Illinois Basketball Tickets: Secure Your Seats
Buying illinois basketball tickets puts you in the heart of the Orange Krush. Here’s how:
- Single‑game tickets: Released on a rolling basis via FightingIllini.com and Ticketmaster. Sign up for pre‑sale alerts.
- Season tickets: Require an I FUND donation. Call the Illinois ticket office at 1‑866‑ILLINI‑1.
- Student section: Part of the “Orange Krush” membership; join through the student portal.
- Resale: StubHub and SeatGeek offer verified resale for sold‑out rivalry games like michigan vs illinois basketball or iowa illinois basketball.
Home games at State Farm Center often sell out weeks ahead for marquee Big Ten matchups. Buy early.
Illinois Basketball TV Schedule: Catch Every Game Nationally
The illinois basketball tv schedule spreads across multiple networks. Use the table above to see TV assignments for each game. Typical carriers:
- Big Ten Network (BTN) – carries most conference home games.
- FS1 / FOX – broadcasts premium Big Ten matchups.
- CBS / ESPN – handles early‑season tournaments and top‑25 clashes.
- B1G+ – streams non‑conference games not picked by linear TV.
Out‑of‑market fans should stream through the FOX Sports app, Paramount+ (CBS games), or YouTube TV. Always confirm the channel 30 minutes before tip via Big Ten Network’s schedule page.
Rivalry Matchups: Iowa vs Illinois Basketball, Michigan, Nebraska, and More
Illini rivalries pack the illinois basketball schedule with fire.
- Iowa vs Illinois basketball: A border battle that often decides Big Ten positioning. The Hawkeyes’ fast pace meets Illinois’ physical defense. In 2025‑26, Iowa comes to Champaign on Jan. 14, then the Illini visit Iowa City on Jan. 24.
- Michigan vs Illinois basketball: Two historic programs clash. Illinois hosts Michigan on Jan. 7; the return game in Ann Arbor is Feb. 7. Expect a sold‑out arena and a rock‑fight on the glass.
- Nebraska vs Illinois basketball: A growing under‑the‑radar rivalry. Illinois travels to Lincoln on Jan. 10; Nebraska comes to Champaign on Feb. 4. Both crowds bring energy.
- Braggin’ Rights: The annual Illinois‑Missouri neutral‑site showdown in St. Louis remains a non‑conference must‑watch.
Circle these dates. The table above logs every tip‑off.
Beyond Champaign: Southern Illinois Basketball, Eastern, Western, and Northern Programs
While this hub centers on the flagship, Illinois boasts other Division I programs that deserve attention—especially when they share the illinois basketball schedule as early‑season opponents.
- Southern Illinois basketball: The Salukis from Carbondale (Missouri Valley Conference) play tenacious defense. They visited State Farm Center on Nov. 14.
- Eastern Illinois basketball: The Panthers (OVC) call Charleston home. Their Nov. 10 trip to Champaign often serves as the Illini’s season opener.
- Western Illinois basketball: The Leathernecks (OVC) from Macomb visited on Nov. 18, giving Illini fans an in‑state early test.
- Northern Illinois basketball: The Huskies (MAC) in DeKalb came to town on Nov. 27. These games matter for state bragging rights and NET rankings.
Each program has its own schedule and fanbase. Use the Illinois state college basketball hub on NCAA.com for scores across all four programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What channel is the Illinois basketball game on today?
Check the schedule table’s “TV / Stream” column. Most games air on BTN, FS1, ESPN, or CBS. For streaming, use the FOX Sports app (FS1/BTN), Paramount+ (CBS), or ESPN app.
How can I buy Illinois basketball tickets?
Purchase directly at FightingIllini.com, via Ticketmaster, or through verified resale on StubHub. Single‑game tickets go on sale a few weeks before tip. Season tickets require an I FUND contribution.
Who is the Illinois basketball coach?
Brad Underwood leads the program. He’s built a reputation on hard‑nosed defense, fast pace, and top‑tier player development, with multiple Big Ten titles and NCAA runs on his resume.
When does the Illinois basketball schedule come out?
The Big Ten portion is typically released in late summer, with the full non‑conference slate finalizing by early September.
Where can I find the Illinois basketball roster?
The current roster table sits right on this page.
Does Illinois basketball have a live radio broadcast?
Yes. The Illini Sports Network covers every game on terrestrial radio and the Illinois Athletics app.
Grab Your Tickets, Pack the State Farm Center
Now you carry the entire Illinois basketball season in one tab. The schedule gives you dates and TV. The roster puts names to the jerseys. Rivalry breakdowns tell you which games shake the Big Ten. Don’t just scroll—use it. Tap the ticket links, set reminders for tip‑off, and share this page with the Orange Krush faithful. When the Illini run onto the court, you’ll already know everything that matters. Go Illini!