Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball
Illinois 's Kofi Cockburn, center, is pressured by Drexel's Camren Wynter (11) and Tim Perry Jr., during the first half of a first round NCAA college basketball tournament game Friday, March 19, 2021, at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum in Indianapolis .(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Top-seeded Illinois cruises past Drexel 78-49 to open NCAAs

By Ralph D. Russo Mar. 19, 2021 04:18 PM EDT

Michigan State coach Tom Izzo yells to players during the second half of a First Four game against UCLA in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, Friday, March 19, 2021, at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Ind. UCLA won 86-80. (AP Photo/Robert Franklin)
The Latest: 12th-seeded Oregon State upsets No. 5 Tennessee

By The Associated Press Mar. 19, 2021 01:56 PM EDT

Illinois residents must travel to bet on Illini, Loyola

Mar. 18, 2021 01:26 PM EDT
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — A state law on sports gambling law is making it difficult — but not impossible — for Illinois residents to bet on...

Colgate players celebrate beating Loyola (Md.), in an NCAA college basketball game in the finals of the Patriot League tournament, Sunday, March 14, 2021, in Hamilton, N.Y. (AP Photo/John Munson)
The Latest on Selection Sunday: NCAAs start with SWAC vs NEC

By The Associated Press Mar. 14, 2021 10:16 PM EDT

Wisconsin's Tyler Wahl blocks the shot of Illinois's Giorgi Bezhanishvili during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
No. 2 Michigan begins tough finish with trip to No. 4 Illini

By Dave Skretta Mar. 02, 2021 01:59 AM EST

Ohio State guard CJ Walker, left, dives for a loose ball against Indiana guard Armaan Franklin during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Columbus, Ohio, Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)
Gonzaga, Baylor top NCAA committee's initial rankings

By Aaron Beard Feb. 13, 2021 03:44 PM EST

Louisville forward Ramani Parker (0) grabs an offensive rebound against Boston College guards Jaelyn Batts (3) and Cameron Swartz (1) in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
The Latest: Michigan-Illinois men's hoops postponed

By The Associated Press Feb. 06, 2021 09:19 AM EST

FILE - Iowa center Luka Garza sits on the bench before an NCAA college basketball game against Northwestern in Iowa City, Iowa, in this Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020, file photo. For all the success Luka Garza has experienced at Iowa, he can't forget one moment of failure. With 1.6 seconds left against Illinois last March, Garza had a chance to tie the game when he took an inbound pass near the basket. Kofi Cockburn blocked his shot, and the Illini won 78-76. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
Iowa star Garza still stews over blocked shot as Illini loom

By John Bohnenkamp Jan. 28, 2021 02:14 PM EST

Indiana forward Race Thompson fights for a rebound with Iowa center Luka Garza (55) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021, in Iowa City, Iowa. Indiana won 81-69. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
No. 7 Iowa, No. 19 Illinois to end long layoffs with faceoff

By Steve Megargee Jan. 28, 2021 01:36 AM EST

Illinois guard Andre Curbelo, right, battles for a rebound with Penn State's guard Sam Sessoms (3) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Holly Hart)
Cockburn leads No. 22 Illinois to 79-65 win over Penn State

By Terry Towery Jan. 19, 2021 11:29 PM EST

Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell shout instructions during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Illinois, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
No. 19 Rutgers beats No. 13 Illinois to remain unbeaten

By Matt Sugam Dec. 20, 2020 05:38 PM EST

Dosunmu, balance help No. 6 Illinois beat No. 10 Duke 83-68

Dec. 09, 2020 12:07 AM EST
DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Ayo Dosunmu had 18 points and a career-high 12 rebounds while sixth-ranked Illinois shot 58% to beat No. 10 Duke 83-68 on Tuesday night in...

FILE - Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury removes his mask to yell before an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020, in Seattle. The New England Patriots host the Cardinals on Sunday Nov. 29. With a win, Arizona can also add yet another blow to the New England’s fading playoff hopes. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
The Latest: No. 3 Ohio State cancels game at Illinois

By The Associated Press Nov. 27, 2020 10:36 AM EST

Big Ten Freshman of Year Cockburn returning to Illinois

Aug. 01, 2020 05:24 PM EDT
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Big Ten Freshman of the Year Kofi Cockburn is returning to Illinois for his sophomore season. The 7-foot, 290-pound...

Illinois star Ayo Dosunmu to return for junior season

Aug. 01, 2020 12:11 AM EDT
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Illinois basketball star Ayo Dosunmu plans to return for his junior season rather than turn pro. The first-team, all...