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All content by Thomas Polcyn
Illinois forward Leron Black (12) dunks the ball during the game against Purdue at the State Farm Center on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2018. The Illini lost 93-86.

Illini men’s basketball year in review

March 5, 2018
Illinois forward Leron Black (12) rises up for a shot during the game against Purdue at the State Farm Center on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2018.

Illini’s best not enough for No. 9 Boilermakers

February 22, 2018
Illinois guard Mark Alstork (24) looks to pass the ball during the game against Nebraska at the State Farm Center on Sunday, Feb. 18, 2018.

Illini keep the Huskers from dancing: Sunday reaction column

February 18, 2018
Illinois guard Trent Frazier (1) dribbles around his defender during the game against Indiana at State Farm Center on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018. The Illini won 73-71.

Penn State v. Illinois reaction

February 14, 2018
Illinois head coach Brad Underwood watches his team from the sideline during the game against Indiana at State Farm Center on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018. The Illini won 73-71.

Illini hoops recruiting update: February 12

February 12, 2018
Illinois guard Trent Frazier (1) gets a high five from Illinois guard Aaron Jordan (23) after hitting a three during the game against Wisconsin at the State Farm Center on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2018.

Illini v. Wisco reaction column

February 11, 2018
Relentless Spartan offense too much for young Illini: Post-game reaction column

Relentless Spartan offense too much for young Illini: Post-game reaction column

January 23, 2018

Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is a Big Ten basketball team

January 18, 2018
Illinois guard Trent Frazier looks for an open man during the game against Augustana on Nov. 22. The team under Brad Underwood hasn’t performed quite as was anticipated.

Thoughts and predictions on Underwood after winter break

January 16, 2018

Florent Thamba commits to Baylor

January 15, 2018
Illinois forward Michael Finke jumps for a slam dunk during the game against Augustana at the State Farm Center on Nov. 22.

Illinois men’s basketball is going in the right direction

December 18, 2017
Illinois guard Aaron Jordan (23) drives to the basket during the game against DePaul at State Farm Center on Friday, Nov. 17, 2017.

Illini Hoops thoughts and observations: Longwood no match for Illini offense

December 13, 2017
Illinois wins (66-56) over Chicago State on Wednesday, November 15th.

Illini’s and Cubs’ fanbases are not that different from each other

December 13, 2017
Illinois forward Michael Finke (43) puts up a layup during the game against Austin Peay at State Farm Center on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017.

Thoughts and Observations from Illinois v. Austin Peay

December 7, 2017
Illinois guard Trent Frazier shoots a three during the game against DePaul at State Farm Center on Friday, Nov. 17, 2017.

Illinois v. Maryland: Thoughts and Observations

December 6, 2017
Illinois forward Michael Finke (43) looks to pass the ball during the game against North Carolina Central at State Farm Center on Nov. 24. Illinois forward Michael Finke (43) looks to pass the ball during the game against North Carolina Central at State Farm Center on Nov. 24. Illinois lost its first game against Wake Forest on Tuesday, which Illini hoops columnist Thomas Polcyn says could be a good learning experience for the young team.

Takeaways and reactions from Illinois vs. Wake Forest

December 1, 2017
Illinois guard Mark Alstork (24) goes up for a dunk during the game against Augustana at State Farm Center on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2017.

Illini basketball heads to Wake Forest for biggest test to date

November 28, 2017
Illinois guard Mark Smith (13) drives to the basket during the game against Tennessee-Martin at State Farm Center on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017. The Illini won 77-74.

Illinois gets ready for challenging matchup with DePaul

November 16, 2017
Illinois guard Mark Smith drives to the basket during the game against Tennessee-Martin at State Farm Center on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017.

Thoughts and Observations: Illinois vs. UT-Martin

November 12, 2017
Illinois forward Kipper Nichols goes up for a layup during a game against Southern at State Farm Center on Friday, Nov. 10, 2017.

Illini seek 600th win at State Farm Center in Sunday matchup with UT-Martin

November 12, 2017
Illinois guard Mark Alstork (24) celebrates during the game against Southern at State Farm Center on Friday, Nov. 10, 2017.

Observations and thoughts from game one of the Underwood era

November 11, 2017
Illinois forward Kipper Nichols shoots a free throw after a technical foul during the exhibition game against Eastern Illinois at Lantz Arena in Charleston, Illinois, on Nov. 3. Head coach Brad Underwood is having his team take a more aggressive approach this season.

New era begins as Illini take on Jaguars

November 9, 2017
Illinois' Michael Finke (43) goes up for a hook shot during the game against Wisconsin at State Farm Center on Tuesday, January 31. The Illini lost 57-43.

Illini set for exhibition at Eastern Illinois

November 2, 2017
Talen Horton-Tucker commits to Iowa State

Talen Horton-Tucker commits to Iowa State

October 26, 2017
Illinois' Te'Jon Lucas (3) brings the ball up the court during the game against Northwestern at State Farm Center on Tuesday, February 21.

Illini basketball: Breaking down the guards

October 26, 2017
Illinois head basketball coach Brad Underwood answers questions from the media during the media day press conference at the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics building on Wednesday, October 11.

Ayo Dosunmu: Illinois’ early, anticipated present

October 23, 2017
Illinois head basketball coach Brad Underwood answers questions from the media during the media day press conference at the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics building on Wednesday, October 11.

Brad Underwood is just what Illinois needs to succeed

October 16, 2017
Brad Underwood stands before his speech at the State Farm Center on March 20. Monday afternoon, forward George Conditt officially announced that he will be attending Iowa State University over the University of Illinois.

Four-star Illini basketball target commits to Michigan

October 4, 2017
Brad Underwood stands before his speech at the State Farm Center on March 20. Monday afternoon, forward George Conditt officially announced that he will be attending Iowa State University over the University of Illinois.

Illinois basketball target George Conditt commits to Iowa State

October 2, 2017
New Fighting Illini basketball coach Brad Underwood speaks at the Statefarm Center on Monday, Mar 20 2017.

Illini basketball recruiting update

September 28, 2017
Illini basketball ready for a big recruiting month in October

Illini basketball ready for a big recruiting month in October

September 21, 2017
Illini Avengers: comparing the Illinois basketball coaching staff to the Avengers

Illini Avengers: comparing the Illinois basketball coaching staff to the Avengers

September 18, 2017
Point Guard Tyler Underwood dribbles past a defender during his time at Oklahoma State. Underwood transferred to the University of Illinois after his dad left Oklahoma State to become the new Illini head basketball coach.

Underwood duo ushers in new era of Illinois basketball

September 11, 2017
2018 priority target set for Illini visit this weekend

2018 priority target set for Illini visit this weekend

August 31, 2017
Illinois' Te'Jon Lucas goes up for a layup off a fast break during the game against Northwestern at State Farm Center on Feb. 21. Lucas has increased his vertical by 6 1/2 inches.

Offseason workouts, diet pay off for Illinois men’s basketball

August 28, 2017
Illinois' Te'Jon Lucas (3) puts up a floater during the game against Northwestern at State Farm Center on Tuesday, February 21.

Breaking down the Illinois Basketball 2017 schedule

August 27, 2017
Illinois’ Michael Massey hits the ball during the game against Northwestern at Illinois Field on April 15. The Ilini lost 11-4.

Gerber, team surge at end of baseball season

May 8, 2017
Illinois starting pitcher Cyrillo Watson (22) delivers a pitch against Maryland at Illinois Field on Saturday, May 6.

Illinois baseball walks off to win game and series agianst No. 24 Maryland

May 7, 2017
Illinois second baseman Michael Massey makes the tag on Western Michigan's Tyler Frank at Illinois Field on April 18.

Illinois beats SIU to extend streak to three

May 2, 2017
Michael Massey comes into home against Western Michigan at Illinois Field on April 18.

Massey wins Big Ten Freshman of the Week for second-straight week

May 2, 2017
Pat McInerney takes a swing against Penn State on March 27, 2016 at Illinois Field.

Illinois baseball heads to SIU for final weekday matchup

May 2, 2017
Illinois’ Jack Yalowitz hits a single against Western Michigan at Illinois Field on April 18. The Illini swept a double-header in their series win against Minnesota.

Illini sweep doubleheader in series win against Minnesota

May 1, 2017
Illini plays against Indiana State on April 5.

Illinois baseball to face tough weekend in Minnesota

April 29, 2017
Illinois catcher Mark Skonieczny catches a third strike against Western Michigan at Illinois Field on Tuesday. Illinois travels to Purdue this weekend to inch closer to a .500 record.

Illinois baseball continues hot streak into weekend at Purdue

April 20, 2017
Illinois' Jack Yalowitz gets ready to hit against Northwestern at Illinois Field on April 15.

Illini baseball takes rubber match with Northwestern

April 17, 2017
Illinois' Michael Massey hits a pop fly against Bradley at Illinois Field on Tuesday, March 28. The team recently beat Illinois State 6-5. It will play Northwestern in a three-game series this weekend.

Illinois baseball beats Illinois State, ready for weekend series against Northwestern

April 13, 2017
Illinois' Doran Turchin (20) runs to first base during the game against Bradley at Illinois Field on Tuesday, March 28.

Surging Illini ready for weekend series with No. 18 Michigan

April 6, 2017
Illinois starting pitcher Ty Weber (7) delivers the pitch during the game against Indiana State at Illinois Field on Saturday, April 1.

Illinois baseball ready for rematch with Mizzou

April 4, 2017
Illinois' Pat McInerney singles against Eastern Illinois on Tuesday, April 5. The senior had a double and drew a walk against Bradley.

New location, same results for Illinois baseball over spring break

March 27, 2017
Illinois starting pitcher Quinten Sefcik delivers the pitch during the first inning of the game against Eastern Illinois at Illini Field on Tuesday, April 5. Sefcik pitched four innings and gave up seven hits and two runs. The Illini won 9-7.

Hartleb, Illinois baseball happy to be home

March 15, 2017
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