Inside Illini Basketball

Illinois made its 2024-25 debut in the Associated Press Top 25 on Monday at No. 25. Just in time for its biggest game of the season to date. This

week's trip to Birmingham, Ala., to face now No. 8 Alabama will shine a bright light on exactly where this Illinois team stands in mid-November. A

litmus test, if you will, for where the program needs to be headed with a couple early Big Ten games looming. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this week's episode of Inside Illini Basketball.

There was only one real surprise for Illinois in the first week of the 2024-25 college basketball season, and it had nothing to do with the

results on the court. While Ty Rodgers did make the decision to redshirt, Illinois still went 2-0, still blew the doors off teams they should dominate. Just in a different style than a year ago, as Will Riley, Ben Humrichous and Co. went "bombs away" from three-point range. Beat writer

Scott Richey discusses that and more in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

The 2024-25 college basketball season is here! That's a legitimate reason to get excited. Especially if you're an Illinois fan. There's no lacking for talent on this year's roster. How it all comes together — and if the results match up to the expectations and hype — will at least start to

become clear this week. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this week's episode of Inside Illini Basketball.

Illinois did not play well in its charity exhibition game against No. 24 Mississippi. Too many turnovers. Not enough defense. Plenty to work on

before the 2024-25 college basketball seasons starts ... next week. Even so, it's too early to push the panic button. An almost entirely new team

with several freshmen playing key roles was bound to have some struggles (and they did against the Rebels). Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

The 2024-25 Illinois basketball season is just two weeks away, but there's still plenty we don't know about this team. Like who starts or who's in the rotation or who will be the go-to player in tense moments. That's what happens when you turn over essentially the entire roster. Beat writer

Scott Richey discusses all that — plus any potential court storming opportunities in the wake of Illinois football field stormings — in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

The 2024-25 preseason Associated Press Top 25 poll dropped Monday, and Illinois didn't make the cut but was nominally the No. 26 team in the

country. A surprising turn of events? Maybe so. The national perception apparently hasn't changed enough in Champaign for Brad Underwood and Co.to get the benefit of the doubt given past successes with new-look teams.

Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

Big Ten media day was last week. Illinois' on-campus media day is this week. It's talking season in college basketball where everybody is

enamored with roster depth and what could be in 2024-25. Illinois might have an actual claim on a deep, talented roster with lofty expectations.

Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this week's episode of Inside Illini Basketball.

Illinois held its first official practice on Monday. Big Ten media days are also this week in Rosemont. The spin up to the 2024-25 college basketball season is truly here. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses it all

— including his "controversial" preseason Big Ten ballots — in this week's

episode of Inside Illini Basketball.

Illinois heads into the start of official practices for the 2024-25 season with Brad Underwood having to make a change on his coaching staff with Tim

Anderson taking an indefinite leave and Kwa Jones getting elevated to assistant coach. There's also positive momentum on the recruiting trail this month in the Class of 2025. Never a dull day in college basketball. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses it all in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

The University of Illinois Board of Trustees will vote on several raises

for Illinois basketball staffers and an extension for assistant coach

Geoff Alexander this week. The investment in basketball in Champaign

continues. So does building for the future. Beat writer Scott Richey

discusses recruiting (as always) along with the biggest question currently

facing Brad Underwood heading into the 2024-25 season in this week's

episode of Inside Illini Basketball.