Illinois began its summer workouts Monday without its full complement of players and was notably without veteran wing Ty Rodgers, who suffered a knee injury that will require surgery. Not an ideal start to the summer. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

Illinois has operated in a peculiar space for a few weeks, with its roster set for the 2025-26 season but still waiting on summer workouts to begin.

But there's always something happening like scheduling news (home-and-home with Texas Tech) and on the recruiting trail (some new 2026 offers). Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

Illinois coach Brad Underwood has expressed a desire to play in New York as often as possible. The 2025-26 season will be the fourth straight the

Illini get a game at Madison Square Garden, with news breaking Monday of a one-off, Black Friday game against Connecticut. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that, having Illinois in his top preseason 10 and recruiting in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

The Illinois coaching staff was on the road recruiting this past weekend... in the U.S. While international recruiting has become a point of

emphasis for Brad Underwood and Co., they haven't given up on finding talent closer to home. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

Kasparas Jakucionis and Will Riley will be in Chicago this week for the NBA draft combine. That both are projected first round picks means the Illinois duo won't be involved in every facet of the pre-draft process in the Windy City, but it's still another opportunity to impress NBA decision

makers. Beat writer Scott Richey, who will also be in Chicago, discusses that and more in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

Brad Underwood could add to his roster for the 2025-26 season if he wanted. There are spots available. But the Illinois coach is content with

the group he has — at least for now — with no rush to make any moves. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses the roster being set (or mostly so), key NBA dates and more in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

Monday came with good news for Illinois in the form of another addition to the 2025-26 roster. Not just any addition either. The one Brad Underwood

and Co. have been waiting for in California transfer Andrej Stojakovic. The scorer on the wing that will fit nicely with the rest of the roster

both from a fit perspective and in his Greek-Serbian heritage. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this week's Inside Illini

Basketball.

This week might mark the closure of the transfer portal, but it won't slow down the madness that is the college basketball offseason. Illinois is right in the thick of it with spots to fill in its roster/rotation and, to date, not all that much to show for it. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

Kasparas Jakucionis, as expected, declared for the 2025 NBA Draft on Monday. Notable news to start the week for Illinois — both in the fact it

just produced a likely one-and-done lottery pick and for the necessity to replace him. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses Jakucionis, the Nike Hoop

Summit and recruiting in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

Illinois has made a serious investment in recruiting Europe. It's not a new concept — international stars have made stops in college basketball before — but Illinois appears to be recruiting Europe harder than any other program at the moment. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.