College Sports – Page 39

Illinois wing Andrej Stojaković runs onto the court before the Final Four game against UConn on April 4, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

5 Big Ten men’s basketball takeaways, including a ‘completely changed’ Andrej Stojaković at Illinois

By Colleen Kane

October 10, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

Big Ten men's basketball coaches and players from Illinois, Northwestern, Oregon, Iowa and Michigan talked...

Illinois Fighting Illini line up for the national anthem before the start of a game against the UCLA Bruins at State Farm Center on Jan. 28, 2026, in Champaign. (Stacey Wescott/baiduhai)

5 takeaways from Big Ten women’s basketball media day, including Illinois’ retention and Northwestern’s vision

By Colleen Kane

October 7, 2026 at 5:34 p.m.

Illinois women's basketball thinks it can take the next step after major offseason retention.

Northwestern quarterback Aidan Chiles drops back to throw during an NCAA college football game against Ball State in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Melissa Tamez)

Aidan Chiles throws for 3 touchdowns and runs in another as Northwestern rips Ball State 45-14

By Matt Carlson

October 10, 2026 at 3:55 p.m.

Aidan Chiles passed for three touchdowns for the second time this season and ran in...

The Illinois basketball team celebrates after beating Iowa in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Houston. (Ashley Landis/AP)

Final Four in Indianapolis is set: Illinois vs. UConn in the early game — and No. 1 seeds Michigan vs. Arizona

By Eddie Pells

March 30, 2026 at 8:00 a.m.

The Final Four is set. Illinois will face UConn and Michigan will take on Arizona...

Oluwanifemi ‘Neff’ Giwa wears South Carolina ‘Gamecocks” gloves as he takes part in a football workout session at the National Sports Center, Crystal Palace in London, Sunday, March 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

From Tipperary to SEC: Irish rugby player with no football experience commits to South Carolina

By Ken Maguire

March 30, 2026 at 7:00 a.m.

Irish rugby player Neff Giwa has never played American football. That will change soon because...

Illinois coach Brad Underwood, center, celebrates with players after an Elite Eight game against Iowa in the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Illinois AD Josh Whitman’s patience with Brad Underwood pays off in 1st Final Four since 2005

By Colleen Kane

March 30, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

Illinois' journey back to the Final Four required patience from coach Brad Underwood and athletic...

UConn guard Braylon Mullins (24) scores the winning basket during the second half against Duke in the Elite Eight of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Elite Eight: Last-second 3-pointer gives UConn 73-72 win over Duke — and a Final Four spot against Illinois

By Noah Trister

March 29, 2026 at 7:15 p.m.

Braylon Mullins sank a desperation 3-pointer with 0.4 seconds left to give UConn an astonishing...

Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg (23) leaves the court after defeating the Tennessee Volunteers in a NCAA Tournament Elite Eight game at the United Center in Chicago on Sunday, March, 29, 2026. (Josh Boland/baiduhai)

Column: Michigan marches into the Final Four with a familiar swagger

By Paul Sullivan

March 29, 2026 at 7:16 p.m.

Michigan's rebuild is a success story — but no one can call any team from...

Fans celebrate as they watch Illinois tie Iowa for the first time in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight game, at Brothers Bar & Grill on March 28, 2026, in Champaign. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)

Illinois students and fans revel in 1st Final Four spot in over 20 years: ‘We’re in the spotlight right now’

By Aidan Sadovi

March 29, 2026 at 6:38 p.m.

Memories of 2005 Final Four team still top of mind for many Illinois basketball fans.

The Michigan Wolverines celebrate after defeating the Tennessee Volunteers in a NCAA Tournament Elite Eight game at the United Center in Chicago on Sunday, March, 29, 2026. (Josh Boland/baiduhai)

Photos: Michigan 95, Tennessee 62 in the Elite Eight

By Josh Boland

March 29, 2026 at 6:50 p.m.

Top-seeded Michigan defeated No. 6 Tennessee 95-62 in an Elite Eight game at the United...

UCLA center Lauren Betts, right, battles in the paint with Duke center Arianna Roberson (21) during the first half in the Elite Eight of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)

Elite Eight: UCLA storms back from a rare halftime deficit to beat Duke and reach the women’s Final Four

By Doug Feinberg

March 29, 2026 at 4:36 p.m.

Lauren Betts had 23 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks to help UCLA advance Final...

Notre Dame guard Hannah Hidalgo reacts after being fouled by UConn during the second half in the Elite Eight of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Elite Eight: Notre Dame’s season ends with a 70-52 loss to UConn women

By Stephen Hawkins

March 29, 2026 at 2:39 p.m.

Hannah Hidalgo had 22 points and 11 rebounds for Notre Dame, plus three more steals...

Student fans and others celebrate at the University of Illinois Alma Mater statue on the Champaign-Urbana campus after Illinois beats Iowa in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight game March 28, 2026. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)

Photos: Illinois students celebrate Final Four berth on campus

By John J. Kim

March 29, 2026 at 7:44 a.m.

Students celebrate on campus in Champaign after No. 3 seed Illinois beat No. 9 seed...