If you have been searching for the latest updates on Illinois basketball, this guide has everything you need. Whether you want to check the Illinois basketball score in real time, review the Illinois basketball roster, purchase Illinois basketball tickets, or simply follow how the Fighting Illini are performing under head coach Brad Underwood — you will find it all here.
The 2025–26 campaign has shaped up to be one of the most compelling seasons in recent Illini history. A heavily international roster, several key injury comebacks, and standout individual performances have kept Illini Nation engaged from tip-off through the start of March Madness.
Illinois Basketball Today: Score Update for March 13, 2026
For fans wondering about Illinois basketball today, here is the latest: the Fighting Illini are currently facing the Wisconsin Badgers in the Big Ten Tournament. With 2:03 remaining in the first half, Illinois holds a 32–27 lead.
Andrej Stojakovic paces the Illini with 10 points on 60 percent field-goal shooting, while Keaton Wagler has contributed 7 points and 3 assists. Illinois is converting 46.2 percent of its field-goal attempts and owns a commanding rebounding advantage — 20 boards compared to Wisconsin’s 12. The Illini stretched their lead to as many as 15 points at one stage, reflecting the kind of consistent pressure this team applies on both ends of the court.
For Wisconsin, guard Nick Boyd has 9 points and guard John Blackwell has added 8, but Illinois appears composed and in control as the teams head toward halftime.
2025–26 Illinois Basketball Season Overview
Illinois enters postseason competition with an impressive 22–6 record, wrapping up Big Ten regular-season play on a high note. Ninth-year head coach Brad Underwood has constructed a roster that is among the most internationally diverse in college basketball — and the results on the court speak for themselves.
The Illini play their home Illinois basketball games at State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. Preseason discussions frequently referenced a potential Final Four run, and given their performance throughout the year, that kind of ambition has been far from unrealistic.
Quick Fact: After finishing 12–8 in Big Ten play and reaching the Round of 32 in the 2024–25 NCAA Tournament, Illinois has taken a clear and measurable step forward this season.
Illinois Basketball Coach: Brad Underwood’s Program-Building Philosophy
Brad Underwood is now in his ninth year as the Illinois basketball coach, and the current squad may represent the most talented group he has assembled. Born in McPherson, Kansas, and a former player at Kansas State, Underwood has built a coaching reputation centered on disciplined defense and consistent player development at every level of the roster.
His willingness to pursue talent through both the transfer portal and international channels has fundamentally changed the identity of Illinois basketball. The era of struggling to recruit elite prospects to Champaign appears to be over — the program now attracts high-caliber European players who view Illinois as a legitimate path to professional basketball.
Underwood’s current contract, which extends through the 2025–26 season, carries a base salary that places him among the better-compensated coaches in the Big Ten — a clear sign that the university views him as central to the program’s continued growth.
Illinois Basketball Roster 2025–26: Built Around a Global Talent Pipeline
The 2025–26 Illinois basketball roster blends proven American contributors with a remarkable collection of international players. Below is a breakdown of the key names fans should know:
Andrej Stojakovic — Guard/Wing (#2)
A transfer from Cal and the son of former NBA standout Peja Stojakovic, Andrej has been among the most dynamic players on this team. After managing an ankle issue during the early weeks of the season, he settled into a reliable double-digit scoring role and delivered a 22-point effort in a commanding road win at USC in February 2026.
Keaton Wagler — Guard (#23)
Wagler stands out as the team’s most multidimensional offensive weapon. He put up a jaw-dropping 46 points against Purdue on January 1, 2026 — arguably the defining individual performance of the Big Ten season — and also showed elite playmaking ability by recording 10 assists against Nebraska. Few players in the conference can do what he does.
Zvonimir Ivisic — Forward/Center
An Arkansas transfer and the twin brother of center Tomislav, Zvonimir gives Illinois a versatile frontcourt option who can score near the basket while also creating spacing with his perimeter shooting range.
Tomislav Ivisic — Center
The Croatian big man serves as the anchor of Illinois’s interior defense. His experience in the Adriatic League (ABA) prepared him well for Underwood’s system, and he has grown into one of the more reliable and impactful centers in the Big Ten.
Kylan Boswell — Guard (#4)
Boswell spent close to a month on the sideline after fracturing his hand in practice, before returning to action in mid-February. His value lies in his versatility — he is a capable off-ball shooter, crafty mid-range scorer, and tenacious on-ball defender who provides Illinois with a dependable second playmaker.
David Mirkovic — Forward
At just 19 years old, the Croatian forward has made a significant impact in his first college season. Mirkovic recorded a season-high 21 rebounds against Colgate in November 2025, and his combination of physical toughness and two-way energy off the bench has proven extremely difficult for opposing teams to match.
Ben Humrichous — Forward
A veteran presence who provides floor spacing and steady leadership. Humrichous logged 62 three-point attempts at 34.3 percent the previous season and has continued to fill that perimeter-stretching role effectively in 2025–26.
Illinois Basketball and Mihailo Petrovic: A Serbian Point Guard Redefining the Offense
Among all the new faces on the Illinois basketball roster this season, few have generated as much conversation as Mihailo Petrovic — a 6-foot-3, 22-year-old point guard from Prokuplje, Serbia.
Before arriving in Champaign, Petrovic spent time playing professionally for KK Mega Basket in the Adriatic League (ABA), where he averaged 14.3 points and 7.3 assists per game. His assist total ranked second in the entire league that season, and his consistent playmaking earned him ABA Round 28 Most Valuable Player honors.
The path to suiting up for the Illini was not without obstacles. NCAA eligibility clearance took longer than expected, and then a hamstring injury sidelined him during the opening weeks of the season. Once he received the green light — registered officially as a sophomore with three years of remaining eligibility — Petrovic stepped into the starting lineup as the primary ball-handler and has not looked back.
Brad Underwood on Petrovic: “Mihailo is the consummate point guard. He has a tremendous understanding of how the game unfolds. He brings exceptional speed and, given his age, a physical edge that fits exactly what we need.”
What makes Petrovic particularly valuable is his ability to run pick-and-roll actions, push the pace in transition, and play comfortably alongside Kylan Boswell in two-guard lineups. His presence has added a dimension to the Illinois offense that was not fully available before his arrival. With multiple years of eligibility still ahead, he is very likely to become one of the cornerstones of this program going forward.
Illinois Basketball Tickets: Your Guide to Getting into State Farm Center
Planning to attend an Illinois basketball game in person? Here is a practical breakdown of how to secure Illinois basketball tickets:
- Official Website: The University of Illinois Athletics website at fightingillini.com is the most reliable source for both season ticket packages and individual game purchases.
- Secondary Market: Platforms such as StubHub, Vivid Seats, and SeatGeek offer a broad range of resale options. Purchasing early in the season often yields lower prices.
- Postseason Games: Tickets for Big Ten Tournament and NCAA Tournament Illinois basketball games are distributed through the NCAA and Big Ten Conference ticketing portals. Availability depends heavily on which round and location are involved.
- Student Access: Current University of Illinois students can take advantage of discounted ticket programs available through the Athletics department’s student portal.
- Season Packages: For committed fans, a full season ticket package delivers the strongest value per game along with priority access to premium seating areas.
One practical tip worth keeping in mind: ticket prices for Illinois basketball games vary considerably depending on the opponent and how late in the season it falls. High-profile matchups against rivals such as Michigan, Indiana, and Iowa, as well as late-season conference games, tend to sell out well in advance — so early planning is always a smart move.
FAQ:
Who is the current Illinois basketball coach?
Brad Underwood currently serves as the head coach of Illinois basketball. He is in his ninth season at the helm of the Fighting Illini and has steered the program to one of its most promising stretches in recent memory.
What is the Illinois basketball score today?
As of March 13, 2026, Illinois is leading Wisconsin 32–27 with 2:03 left in the first half of the Big Ten Tournament. For real-time updates, visit fightingillini.com or tune in through the ESPN app.
Who is Mihailo Petrovic, and what role does he play for Illinois?
Mihailo Petrovic is a Serbian point guard who joined the Illinois basketball program for the 2025–26 season following a professional career in the Adriatic League. He brings elite playmaking ability, strong court vision, and a physical presence that distinguishes him from most college-level guards. He functions as the team’s primary orchestrator in the half-court offense.
Where can I find the full Illinois basketball schedule?
The complete Illinois basketball schedule — with dates, tip-off times, and broadcast information for every remaining game — is posted at fightingillini.com. ESPN and CBS Sports also maintain updated bracket information for the Big Ten Tournament and NCAA Tournament.
Where do the Illinois Fighting Illini play their home basketball games?
The Illini play all of their home games at State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. The arena accommodates more than 16,000 spectators and ranks among the most energetic home environments in the entire Big Ten conference.
Why Illinois Basketball Deserves Your Attention This Season
There is genuine momentum building around this Illinois basketball program. A 22–6 regular-season record, a deeply international roster, an experienced head coach who continues to develop talent at the highest level, and a Serbian point guard with the potential to be one of the conference’s best for years to come — the pieces are all in place for something memorable.
Whether you are following the Illinois basketball score game by game, searching for Illinois basketball tickets to experience State Farm Center in person, or simply trying to learn more about the Illinois basketball roster heading into the postseason — this is a team worth investing your time in.
March has historically been when Illinois basketball programs elevate their performance. This particular group has both the talent and the resolve to make this postseason run one that Illini fans will be talking about for a long time.
Follow all Illinois basketball games and updates at fightingillini.com
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