Coleman Hawkins
Ohio State coach Chris Holtmann shouts during the first half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Illinois, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Michael Allio)
Shannon scores 17, Illinois beats Ohio State 69-60

Jan. 24, 2023 10:00 PM EST

Nebraska's Sam Griesel, center, drives between Illinois' Terrence Shannon Jr., left, and Matthew Mayer during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
Illinois Fighting Illini at Nebraska Cornhuskers 1/10/2023

Jan. 10, 2023 09:56 PM EST

Alabama A&M's Brandon Powell, center, reacts during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Illinois, Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Michael Allio)
Mayer scores 21 to lead No. 18 Illini past Alabama A&M 68-47

By Gavin Good Dec. 17, 2022 06:41 PM EST

Illinois' Jayden Epps (3) eyes the basket against Texas' Marcus Carr (5) in overtime during the team's NCAA college basketball game in the Jimmy V Classic, Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
No. 17 Illinois rallies late, beats No. 2 Texas 85-78 in OT

By Larry Fleisher Dec. 06, 2022 10:06 PM EST

Illinois guard Terrence Shannon Jr., front, goes to the basket for a layup during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Maryland, Friday, Dec. 2, 2022, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
No. 22 Maryland tops No. 16 Illinois 71-66 to stay unbeaten

By Noah Trister Dec. 02, 2022 11:43 PM EST

Syracuse's Mounir Hima grabs a rebound during the first half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Illinois, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Michael Allio)
Hawkins has triple-double, No. 16 Illinois thumps Syracuse

By Gavin Good Nov. 29, 2022 09:58 PM EST

Connecticut forward Adama Sanogo, right, shoots over Oregon center Kel'el Ware during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the Phil Knight Invitational tournament in Portland, Ore., Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
Game 2 (win) at Game 1 (win) 11/26/2022

Nov. 24, 2022 09:12 PM EST

Virginia's Jayden Gardner (1) celebrates after Virginia defeated Illinois in an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
No. 16 Virginia beats No. 19 Illinois to cap emotional week

By Mark Anderson Nov. 20, 2022 05:52 PM EST

Illinois' Coleman Hawkins (33) shoots as Eastern Illinois' Jermaine Hamlin (34) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Monday, Nov. 7, 2022, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Michael Allio)
Shannon scores 24 as Illinois beats Eastern Illinois 87-57

By Gavin Good Nov. 07, 2022 11:37 PM EST

FILE - Illinois coach Brad Underwood gestures during the first half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Ohio State on Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022, in Champaign, Ill. Underwood has added transfers and freshmen who could make the Illini very dangerous the second half of the season. (AP Photo/Michael Allio, File)
No. 23 Illini look to new faces for deeper postseason run

By Gavin Good Oct. 19, 2022 03:31 PM EDT

FILE - Purdue center Zach Edey (15) shoots over Iowa forward Filip Rebraca (0) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Big Ten Conference tournament, Sunday, March 13, 2022, in Indianapolis. Edey is one of the most intimidating players in the conference. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
Hoosiers picked as team to beat in Big Ten season of change

By Eric Olson Oct. 19, 2022 11:20 AM EDT

Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Terrell Owens, center, twirls a basketball on his finger as he watches Chattanooga warm up before a college basketball game against Illinois in the first round of the NCAA tournament in Pittsburgh, Friday, March 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Plummer's late free throws lift Illini by Chattanooga 54-53

By Will Graves Mar. 18, 2022 09:31 PM EDT

Indiana forward Trayce Jackson-Davis (23) drives on Illinois center Kofi Cockburn (21) in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Friday, March 11, 2022. Indiana defeated Illinois 65-63. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Jackson-Davis leads Indiana past No. 16 Illinois 65-63

By Michael Marot Mar. 11, 2022 02:22 PM EST

Illinois fans storm the court at the conclusion of an NCAA college basketball game against Iowa, Sunday, March 6, 2022, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Michael Allio)
No. 20 Illinois beats No. 24 Iowa for share of Big Ten title

By Gavin Good Mar. 06, 2022 10:16 PM EST

Illinois' RJ Melendez (15) shoots as Northwestern's Ryan Greer defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Michael Allio)
No. 13 Illini survive scare against Northwestern, 73-66

By Gavin Good Feb. 13, 2022 04:40 PM EST

Illinois' Trent Frazier sets up a play during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Michigan State, Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Michael Allio)
No. 24 Illinois holds off No. 10 Michigan State, 56-55

Jan. 25, 2022 09:37 PM EST

Illinois center Kofi Cockburn (21) drives to the basket against Nebraska forward Derrick Walker (13) in the first half during an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/John Peterson)
Frazier's 29 helps No. 25 Illinois hold off Nebraska 81-71

By Eric Olson Jan. 11, 2022 10:52 PM EST

Illinois' Da'Monte Williams (20) passes the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Texas Rio Grande Valley Friday, Nov. 26, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Michael Allio)
Texas Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros at Illinois Fighting Illini 11/26/2021

Nov. 26, 2021 10:42 PM EST

Marquette's Kameron Jones loses control of the ball as he falls while being defended by Illinois' Alfonso Plummer (11) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Monday, Nov. 15, 2021, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
Late steal gives Marquette a 67-66 win over No. 10 Illinois

By Steve Megargee Nov. 15, 2021 09:41 PM EST

Illinois' Omar Payne dunks the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Arkansas State Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Michael Allio)
No. 11 Illinois easily tops Arkansas State 92-53

By Gavin Good Nov. 12, 2021 11:25 PM EST