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Brandon Simberg

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The Illinois men's basketball team waits for what may be called at their game on Jan. 19 against Penn State. Although Illinois basketball will be losing key players, they have transfers coming to the team.

Big Ten stock watch: Roster changes after one month highlights transfer portal madness

May 2, 2021
Senior Alfonso Plummer looks to make a lay-up against USC. He will now be joining Illinois for next year's basketball season.

Alfonso Plummer brings strong offense to Illinois next season

April 21, 2021
Illini basketball head coach Brad Underwood finishes a timeout huddle with his team during the game against Purdue Jan. 2. Underwood has been using his time in the offseason to recruit players from the transfer portal.

Underwood, staff use offseason to recruit next season’s team

April 12, 2021

Florida transfer Omar Payne adds strength, speed to Illinois’ roster

April 4, 2021
Sophomore Kofi Cockburn and Junior Ayo Dosunmu prepare for an embrace during the game against Wisconsin on Feb. 6 . Both Cockburn and Dosunmu must soon decide whether to declare for the NBA draft or return to Illinois for another season.

To leave or not to leave: Dosunmu, Cockburn ponder future

April 4, 2021
Adam Miller shoots a 3-pointer during Illinois' game against Nebraska Feb. 25. Miller reportedly entered the transfer portal Thursday afternoon.

Adam Miller enters transfer portal

April 1, 2021
Brad Underwood yells during the game against Iowa on Jan. 29 at State Farm Center. The Big Ten has been widely considered the best conference in the country all season, yet Michigan is the only Big Ten team to advance to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament.

Big Ten has big problems: Why league struggles in March, how teams can get over hurdle

March 28, 2021
Sophomore Kofi Cockburn goes up for a contested layup against Cameron Krutwig during the game against Loyola Chicago Sunday at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Illini fell to the 8-seeded Ramblers 71-58, ending their season.

Illini fall to Ramblers behind flustered offense in second round of NCAA tournament

March 21, 2021
Trent Frazier looks to pass the ball during the game against Drexel on Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Illini have been resting during their stay in the NCAA bubble to get ready for some big March Madness games coming up.

Life in the NCAA bubble: How Illinois spends its down time in Indianapolis

March 20, 2021
Junior Giorgi Bezhanishvili goes up for a shot during the Big Ten Tournament championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 14. Bezhanishvili's 12 points off the bench helped the Illini win their first conference title since 2005.

Bezhanishvili’s attitude, play help Illinois win Big Ten Tournament after year of uncertainty

March 18, 2021
Underwood turns Illinois basketball program around through team-building, culture, belief

Underwood turns Illinois basketball program around through team-building, culture, belief

March 17, 2021
Students celebrate on the Main Quad after the Illinois Men's Basketball Team became Big Ten champions on Sunday afternoon. The team needs a cohesive plan in order to make it to the Final Four.

Breaking down Illinois’ path to the Final Four

March 16, 2021
Sophomore Kofi Cockburn defends Ohio State freshman Zed Key during the Big Ten Tournament title game on March 14 at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Illini won 91-88 in overtime, winning their first Big Ten Tournament title since 2005.

Illinois hangs on to beat Ohio State, claims Big Ten Tournament title in roller-coaster game

March 14, 2021
Sophomore Kofi Cockburn goes up for a dunk against Iowa in the Big Ten Tournament on March 13 at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Illini won the game 82-71 and advanced to the Big Ten Tournament championship game for the first time since 2008.

No. 3 Illinois keeps winning ways going, slams home No. 5 Iowa

March 13, 2021
Junior guard Ayo Dosunmu drives toward the basket in the first half of the game against Rutgers at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 12. The Illini advanced to the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament for the first time since 2010 with a 90-68 win over the Scarlet Knights.

Illinois relishes off fans’ energy, goes on to stomp Rutgers

March 12, 2021
The Illinois men's basketball team pack the team's coach bus before leaving for Indianapolis on March 11. The Illini are packing and preparing to be gone for a month and make a deep NCAA tournament run.

One month in Indy: Illinois manages last four weeks of season

March 12, 2021
Freshman Andre Curbelo rushes past a Michigan defender during the game on March 2 at Ann Arbor. Curbelo is this week’s Illini of the Week.

Illini of the Week: Curbelo guides Illini to consecutive ranked road wins

March 11, 2021
Sophomore Kofi Cockburn steps toward the basket during the game against Michigan on March 2. Michigan and Illinois are both strong contenders to win the Big Ten Tournament this year.

Big Ten Tournament preview: Illinois enters as contenders, second seed in competition

March 11, 2021
Kofi Cockburn celebrates after a play against Michigan at Crisler Center on Tuesday. The two teams had been feuding for weeks online, adding to a long list of Big Ten beef this season.

Ranking the best feuds in the Big Ten this season

March 8, 2021
Ayo Dosunmu runs down the court in Illinois' game at Ohio State Saturday. The Illini won 73-68.

Dosunmu’s key-buckets and words of encouragement help Illinois complete late rally

March 6, 2021
Giorgi Bezhanishvili blocks a shot in Illinois' game against Nebraska on March 6.

Illinois aims to complete multiple goals, finishes off regular season at Ohio State

March 6, 2021
Trent Frazier celebrates in the game against Michigan on Wednesday in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Illini beat the Wolverines 76-53.

Four takeaways from No. 4 Illinois’ win over No. 2 Michigan

March 3, 2021
Sophomore Kofi Cockburn goes for the dunk during the game against Nebraska. The Illinois basketball team will face off against Michigan tonight.

Michigan preview: Defending pick-and-roll offense will be key in showdown with Wolverines

March 2, 2021
Freshman Adam Miller shoots a free throw during a game against Nebraska on Thursday at State Farm Center. Miller became the primary scorer after Ayo Dosunmu was benched for facial injuries.

With Dosunmu out, Adam Miller fills a familiar role as primary scorer

March 1, 2021
Sophomore Kofi Cockburn looks to shoot during the game against Wisconsin on Saturday. The Illini won the game 74-69.

Player grades: Cockburn, Curbelo dominate in win over Badgers

February 28, 2021
Adam Miller drives to the basket in Illinois' game against Nebraska on Thursday. Without Ayo Dosunmu, Miller stepped up for the team with 16 first-half points.

With Dosunmu out, Adam Miller fills familiar role as primary scorer

February 27, 2021
Adam Miller shoots a 3-pointer during Illinois' game against Nebraska Feb. 25. Miller reportedly entered the transfer portal Thursday afternoon.

Illinois manages to find offensive rhythm, balance without Dosunmu to bury Nebraska

February 25, 2021
Illinois forward Zach Griffith (4) shoots the ball during the game against Illinois Wesleyan at State Farm Center on Friday, Nov. 2, 2018.

From 1A to Big Ten: How Zach Griffith left his mark on Illinois

February 25, 2021
Trent Frazier, Kofi Cockburn and Ayo Dosunmu stand together on the court during Illinois' game at Michigan State. The Illini lost 81-70.

Missed free throws, layups plague Illini against desperate Spartans

February 23, 2021
Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo looks on in the second half of their game against Iowa at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, on Feb. 13, 2021.

Illinois, Michigan State sit at opposite ends of Big Ten

February 23, 2021
Junior Ayo Dosunmu shoots the ball in the first half against Minnesota on Feb. 20. Dosunmu notched his second triple-double of the season in the 94-63 win.

Dosunmu’s triple-double, Illinois’ size advantage secures dominant victory over Minnesota

February 20, 2021
Junior Ayo Dosunmu looks downcourt during the game against Northwestern on Tuesday. The Illini will face Minnesota tonight.

Illinois looks to continue road success against Minnesota

February 20, 2021
Giorgi Bezhanishvili puts up a shot in Illinois' game against Northwestern Tuesday night. The Illini won 73-66.

Hot start, Williams’ hustle allows for Illinois to hold off Northwestern

February 16, 2021
Ramses Melendez poses with an MVP award on March 1. Melendez is the most recent recruit to the 2021 Illinois basketball class.

Ramses Melendez commits to Illinois, and other recruiting notes

February 15, 2021
Senior Trent Frazier passes to senior Da'Monte Williams during the game against Wisconsin on Feb. 6. The Illinois basketball team will face off against Northwestern tonight.

Ahead of rematch with Northwestern, No. 5 Illinois learns how deep Big Ten really is

February 15, 2021
Ayo Dosunmu takes the floor in Illinois' win against Nebraska on Friday night.

Illinois avoids disastrous loss to Nebraska thanks to Dosunmu’s heroics

February 13, 2021
Illinois head coach Brad Underwood speaks with one of his players during the game against Wisconsin on Saturday. Illinois was set to face Michigan yesterday, but the game was postponed.

Amid scheduling changes, Illinois looks set to take on Nebraska

February 12, 2021
Ayo Dosunmu looks to Kofi Cockburn while dribbling during Illinois' game against Wisconsin on Saturday.

Breaking down all 12 of Dosunmu’s assists from win over Wisconsin

February 9, 2021
Ayo Dosunmu dribbles past a Wisconsin defender in Illinois' game on Saturday. The Illini won 75-60.

Ayo’s triple-double, Kofi’s paint dominance lead Illini to fourth-straight win

February 6, 2021
Ayo Dosunmu drives to the basket in Illinois' game against Iowa on Jan. 29.

Wisconsin preview: Setting fast pace, guarding perimeter is key against dangerous Badger team

February 6, 2021
Illinois' group of starters stand together during Illinois' game against Penn State on Jan. 19.

Illini show they can win in different ways in slugfest against Hoosiers

February 3, 2021
Trent Frazier shoots in warmups before Illinois' game at Indiana. The Illini won 75-71.

Behind stellar defense, Illinois continues winning ways at Indiana

February 2, 2021
Junior forward Jacob Grandison captures a rebound during the game against Iowa on Friday. The Illini will face off against Indiana tonight in Bloomington.

Indiana preview: Shutting down Jackson-Davis, Franklin is key in second showdown of season

February 2, 2021
Senior Trent Frazier passes to his left during the game against Ohio State on Jan. 16. Frazier declared for the NBA Draft Friday, though he is still eligible to return for a fifth season.

Frazier uses Naismith snub to turn in best game of season

January 31, 2021
Jacob Grandison defends a shot in Illinois' game against Iowa on Friday. The Illini won 80-75.

Illinois’ interior defense, Grandison’s big shot propel Illinois to victory over No. 7 Iowa

January 29, 2021
Sophomore Kofi Cockburn jumps to shoot during the game against Maryland on Jan. 11. The Illini will face off with Iowa tonight at State Farm Center.

Keys to the game: Dosunmu dominance, role players playing their roles key in Iowa showdown

January 29, 2021
Forward basketball player Coleman Hawkins reaches up to block a shot against Purdue on Jan. 2 at State Farm Center.

Hawkins provides energy, promise for Illini

January 27, 2021
Illinois coach Brad Underwood plans a play on the sidelines during the game against Purdue on Jan. 2.

Illinois is running out of time to meet lofty expectations

January 25, 2021
Ayo Dosunmu dribbles the ball in Illinois' game against Penn State on Tuesday night. The Illini won 79-65.

Behind Cockburn, Frazier, Illinois snaps two-game skid against Penn State

January 19, 2021
Senior Trent Frazier drives towards the basket during the game against Ohio State on Saturday. Frazier announced his return to Champaign Saturday afternoon.

Between losing streak, COVID-19 cancellations, Illinois approaches crucial point in season

January 19, 2021
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