Illinois women’s basketball has cracked the AP preseason poll again, and this time the Illini are sitting at No. 23 to begin the 2026-27 season.
That ranking gives Shauna Green her second preseason Top 25 team at Illinois and marks the fifth preseason ranking in program history. It also matches the No. 23 spot Illinois held in 2023-24. The Big Ten, meanwhile, set a record of its own by landing nine teams in the preseason poll, the most of any conference.
Illinois is coming off a 22-12 season and a trip to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The next chapter starts with an exhibition against UIS on Oct. 30 before the regular season opener Nov. 4 against Detroit Mercy at State Farm Center.
On the football side, Illinois heads into Saturday’s game against No. 25 Oregon sitting at 3-3 overall and 1-2 in Big Ten play.
The Illini are back from a bye week after their 38-37 overtime win over Michigan State, and quarterback questions remain central as the team works through injuries in that room. Freshman Michael Clayton could get the start against the Ducks.
Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT Saturday at Gies Memorial Stadium on Big Ten Network.
In soccer, Illinois is back home Thursday for a rivalry meeting with Northwestern at Demirjian Park. The Illini are coming off a 0-0 draw at Nebraska, where goalkeeper Izzy Lee made eight saves and moved into second place on the program’s career saves list.
That match begins at 6 p.m. CT on B1G+.
And in volleyball, Illinois is trying to recover from Sunday’s five-set loss to Michigan as it heads to Maryland on Friday before turning around to play at Rutgers on Saturday. The matchup with Maryland is set for 6 p.m. CT on B1G+.
In Other News...
Illinois Freshman Just Gave Bearcats Fans A Glimpse Of A Problem
Quentin Colemans first notable run in an Illinois jersey came in an exhibition setting, but it offered a clear look at why the freshman guard has already become an intriguing piece for Brad Underwood. In the win over Cincinnati, Coleman put together a versatile outing with 14 points, eight assists and seven rebounds, showing the kind of all-around impact that goes well beyond his reputation as a polished shooter.
What stood out most was how many different ways he affected the game. Coleman was able to get into the paint, create for teammates and help on the glass, which is the sort of complementary play Illinois can use alongside its scorers. Underwood has already pointed to Colemans relentless effort and defensive potential, and if this is the early version of what he can do, the Illini may have found a freshman who can make life difficult for opponents in more ways than one. [Read more 🡒]
Illinois Heads Into Oregon With A Quarterback Challenge Nobody Can Ignore
A bye week gave Bret Bielema and Illinois a little extra time to sort through a quarterback picture that suddenly has plenty of intrigue heading into Oregon. True freshman Michael Clayton is expected to get the start, and the matchup comes with the kind of pressure test that can shape how a young passer is handled moving forward. Bielema has long emphasized quarterback development, and this one arrives with all the usual variables of a road game against a major opponent.
Oregon, meanwhile, brings its own uncertainty after starter Dante Moore was injured, leaving Dylan Raiola and Brock Thomas as possible options under center. It gives this game an unusual layer of unpredictability on both sides, with Illinois trying to support Clayton through the mental and physical demands Bielema talks about so often. For the Illini, it is the kind of week where the quarterback battle is not just about who starts, but who can stay steady once the game starts moving. [Read more 🡒]
Illinois Gets An Extra Challenge As Oregon's QB Call Still Looms
Oregons quarterback picture remains unsettled as the Ducks head into their matchup with Illinois, adding another layer of uncertainty for a Fighting Illini defense that already has plenty to sort through. Head coach Dan Lanning said the competition is still ongoing between senior Brock Thomas and junior Dylan Raiola, with senior starter Dante Moore unavailable for now after suffering a concussion.
Lanning made clear the final call will come from a blend of what the staff sees in games and what it sees in practice, with Moores status set to be updated before Oregon faces Illinois. For the Illini, that means game-planning has to account for multiple possibilities, even as the Ducks continue working through a situation that could shape the way the matchup unfolds. [Read more 🡒]