More Illinois Fighting Illini News

Losing Out vs Purdue, Can the Illinois Advance to the NCAA Knockouts?

Can the Illinois Fighting Illini advance in the NCAA knockouts? Or will Shannon's absence restrict them in giving their best?
NCAA Basketball: Illinois at Tennessee

With Terrence Shannon Jr. Facing Charges, How’ve Illinois Dealt With Their Star’s Absence?

How have the Illinois changed their gameplan in the two games they have played after the suspension of their guard Terrence Shannon Jr.
NCAA Basketball: Illinois at Tennessee

Ahead of the Rivalry Game, What Is the Illinois Team Missing?

A look at the gaps in the Illinois Fighting Illini team and how a change in plans can help them win their next game.
Illinois Fighting Illini Credits – Illinois Athletics

Missouri vs Illinois Rivalry Match Preview ”“ Players to Watch, Head to Head, and Prediction

Who will have the upper hand in the ongoing Missouri and Illinois men's basketball rivalry when the teams clash on Friday?
NCAA Basketball: Illinois at Rutgers

Are the Illinois Contenders for the Championship Title? An In-Depth Look Into the Best Teams of Big 10

Who are the best teams in the Big 10 and how have the Illinois performed this far in the season? A detailed look into it.
Illinois Fighting Illini

Illinois Fighting Illini vs Florida Atlantic Owls Match Preview ”“ Players to Watch, Head to Head, and Prediction

Who will win the neck to neck clash between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Florida Atlantic Owls in the upcoming NCAA clash?
Illinois Fighting Illini

Ending Three-Game Drought, Illinois Women’s Volleyball Team Overcomes Rutgers’ Historic Set Win to Triumph 3-1 at Huff Hall

The Illinois volleyball team ended their three-game skid by defeating Rutgers' historic second-set win at Huff Hall on Sunday.
Volleyball

College Football Report: Nebraska Takes Commanding Lead in First Half Against Illinois

Nebraska football is maintaining its legacy, and it is evident from their last game against Northern Illinois. 
Nebraska, Illinois

“I Was Supposed to Be Somebody I Am Not”: Son Jeffrey Once Revealed How People Treated Him Under the Shadow of Father Michael Jordan

Michael Jordon's eldest son, Jefferey Jordan addressed having high expectations on his back since his early days for being the son of an all-time great.

NBA Draft 2021: Will Illinois’ Ayo Dosunmu Go Down as a Lottery Pick?

Illinois Fighting Illini junior Ayo Dosunmu has declared for the 2021 NBA Draft. Will he be a lottery pick or a mid-round pick?
NCAA Basketball: NCAA Tournament-Loyola-Chicago at Illinois

‘Ashamed of Them D**n Selves’- Stephen A. Smith Blasts the Big Ten Conference After March Madness Struggles

March Madness has gotten off to a hot start with the Big Ten seeing all but one team, Michigan Wolverines, eliminated from the tournament.
NCAA Basketball: NCAA Tournament-Oral Roberts at Ohio State

‘Do Something Special’- Ayo Dosunmu Confident in Illinois Fighting Illini Chances At March Madness

Illinois Fighting Illini guard Ayo Dosunmu seems confident about the team's chances heading into the NCAA Tournament this season.
NCAA Basketball: Big Ten Conference Tournament-Illinois vs Iowa

About Illinois Fighting Illini

Illinois Fighting Illini 2021: News, Schedule, Roster, Scores, Injury Report

The Illinois Fighting Illini compete in NCAA Men’s Basketball as a part of the Big Ten Conference. Some notable opponents from the conference include Iowa, Michigan, and Wisconsin. They were founded in 1906.

The name Illini emerged when the University's student newspaper changed its name from 'The Student' to 'The Illini' in 1874. Over 40 years later in the 1910s, the word 'Fighting' was used initially as an adjective for the team, but later it became part of the name. It was officially adopted as the nickname by the University in the 1920s.

The current logo of the Fighting Illini is a bold letter I, which is orange with a blue border. When the university first introduced a logo in 1947, it was the face of a Native American. It was completely dropped in 2004 when the bold letter I was launched.

History

Founded1906
ConferenceBig 10 Conference
Athletic DirectorJosh Whitman
Head CoachBrad Underwood
ArenaState Farm Center
Championships (0)-
Conference Tournament Titles (2)2003, 2005
Conference Regular Season Titles (17)1915, 1917, 1924, 1935, 1937, 1942, 1943, 1949, 1951, 1952, 1963, 1984, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005
Websitehttps://fightingillini.com/sports/mens-basketball

Who is the coach of the Fighting Illini?

The current coach of the Fighting Illini is Brad Underwood. He was appointed in 2017 after he won three consecutive Southland Conference Tournaments.

Underwood signed a six-year deal worth $18 million, before getting an extension for up to 2026. After two underwhelming seasons, Underwood led the Fighting Illini to an impressive 21-10 record last season.

Who is the Athletic Director of the Fighting Illini?

The current athletic director of the Fighting Illini is Josh Whitman. He was appointed in 2016.

Whitman is an alumnus of the college and is also a former NFL player who became a lawyer after retirement. He was in charge of hiring Underwood as the head coach.

Achievements and Championships

The early 2000s and the 1980s were the most successful periods for the Fighting Illini. From 2001 to 2005, they won four out of the five regular-season championships.

In 2005, they reached the National Final with a brilliant record of 37-2. But they lost by 5 points in the Final to UNC. That remains as their best finish in the NCAA tournament.

The Fighting Illini haven't won the NCAA Division 1 title yet.

Greatest NBA Players

It has been almost eight years since a former Fighting Illini was drafted in the NBA. But earlier, Illinois had many young prospects making it into the big league.

Some of the greatest NBA players from Illinois include Deron Williams, Don Ohl, Nick Anderson, and Jerry Sloan. Williams was part of the team that finished as the runner-up in 2005. Sloan was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a coach in 2009.

Currently, Kendrick Nunn and Meyers Leonard are the only former Fighting Illini playing in the NBA.

Mascot and Uniform

The Fighting Illini had Chief Illiniwek as their mascot until it was retired by the University back in 2007 due to a lot of criticism around the stereotypes promoted by it.

In September 2020, the belted kingfisher was voted as the new mascot for the University. Spencer Hulsey, an alumnus of the University of Illinois, is the one who came up with the idea for the kingfisher.

The team colors of the Illinois Fighting Illini are navy blue and orange.

Current Roster

The Illinois Fighting Illini roster for the 2020-21 season has 17 players.

PositionJerseyNumberNameHeightWeight
G1Trent Frazier6-2175
F2Connor Serven6-9215
G/F3Jacob Grandison6-6205
F4Zach Griffith6-6220
G5Andre Curbelo6-1175
G10Edgar Padilla Jr.6-1165
G11Ayo Dosunmu6-5200
C12Brandon Lieb7-0210
F13Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk6-8235
F15Giorgi Bezhanishvili6-9245
G20Da'Monte Williams6-3215
C21Kofi Cockburn7-0285
G22Austin Hutcherson6-6180
G32Tyler Underwood6-2180
F33Coleman Hawkins6-10215
C34Jermaine Hamlin6-10235
G44Adam Miller6-3180

Schedule

The Fighting Illini began their 2020-21 season with a huge 122-60 win against North Carolina A&T on November 25. They have a 27-game regular season that ends with an away game against Iowa on March 5, 2021. Currently, their record is 3-0.

The full schedule is available on the college website.

How to contact Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball?

Illinois Fighting Illini on Twitter: @IlliniMBB

Illinois Fighting Illini on Instagram: @illinimbb