Illini Hoops
@illinihoops.bsky.social
*Unofficial* Illinois Men’s Basketball Fan Account — covering all things Fighting Illini Hoops
Definition of “just win” — ugly, and a really odd game all around. Did not love the defensive and rebounding intensity for most of the 2nd half, but you get it done on the road in the Big Ten. 2-1 to start conference play with Rutgers coming to town Thursday. I-L-L
January 4, 2026 at 2:15 AM
Definition of “just win” — ugly, and a really odd game all around. Did not love the defensive and rebounding intensity for most of the 2nd half, but you get it done on the road in the Big Ten. 2-1 to start conference play with Rutgers coming to town Thursday. I-L-L
Alright, let’s just get to the buzzer here. No Rec Hall voodoo crap.
January 4, 2026 at 2:12 AM
Alright, let’s just get to the buzzer here. No Rec Hall voodoo crap.
Reposted by Illini Hoops
Sensational second half for #illini David Mirkovic: 11 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists
On the night, he has 13 points and 10 rebounds, his fifth double-double of the season.
On the night, he has 13 points and 10 rebounds, his fifth double-double of the season.
January 4, 2026 at 2:06 AM
Sensational second half for #illini David Mirkovic: 11 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists
On the night, he has 13 points and 10 rebounds, his fifth double-double of the season.
On the night, he has 13 points and 10 rebounds, his fifth double-double of the season.
LETS GO DAVID MIRKOVIC!!!
January 4, 2026 at 2:05 AM
LETS GO DAVID MIRKOVIC!!!
We are darn lucky Penn St. stinks. They’ve gotten plenty 2nd half looks.
January 4, 2026 at 2:04 AM
We are darn lucky Penn St. stinks. They’ve gotten plenty 2nd half looks.
We need the old Tomislav back…
January 4, 2026 at 1:55 AM
We need the old Tomislav back…
This game just sucks in so many ways
January 4, 2026 at 1:47 AM
This game just sucks in so many ways
Offense goes stagnant — go to Mirk post-ups and let him pass out of doubles. Really like the adjustment.
January 4, 2026 at 1:43 AM
Offense goes stagnant — go to Mirk post-ups and let him pass out of doubles. Really like the adjustment.
2 HUGE possessions there.
— David Mirkovic laser pass to Jake Davis in the corner. 3 ball.
— Aggressive Kylan Boswell defense leads to a turnover and a bucket
Lead back up to 14. #illini
— David Mirkovic laser pass to Jake Davis in the corner. 3 ball.
— Aggressive Kylan Boswell defense leads to a turnover and a bucket
Lead back up to 14. #illini
January 4, 2026 at 1:34 AM
2 HUGE possessions there.
— David Mirkovic laser pass to Jake Davis in the corner. 3 ball.
— Aggressive Kylan Boswell defense leads to a turnover and a bucket
Lead back up to 14. #illini
— David Mirkovic laser pass to Jake Davis in the corner. 3 ball.
— Aggressive Kylan Boswell defense leads to a turnover and a bucket
Lead back up to 14. #illini
Has just been a really weird game with some unfortunate foul calls for Wagler. Feels a bit like KJ at Michigan St. last year where he just couldn’t stay on the floor.
Keaton Wagler picks up his fourth foul at the start of the second half. All ball, should not have been a foul.
College game is tough because only 5 fouls allowed even though starters can play 35-40 minutes more than most NBA starters play per game.
College game is tough because only 5 fouls allowed even though starters can play 35-40 minutes more than most NBA starters play per game.
January 4, 2026 at 1:26 AM
Has just been a really weird game with some unfortunate foul calls for Wagler. Feels a bit like KJ at Michigan St. last year where he just couldn’t stay on the floor.
Ugh, the offense without Keaton Wagler on the floor is… not pretty.
January 4, 2026 at 1:25 AM
Ugh, the offense without Keaton Wagler on the floor is… not pretty.
HALF: #illini 40, Penn St. 26
Pretty ideal when you can feel like you “survived” the first half on the road in the Big Ten and are still up 14. Foul trouble limited Wagler, and the offense stagnated when he wasn’t on the floor. Thought Illinois showed some really good things defensively so far.
Pretty ideal when you can feel like you “survived” the first half on the road in the Big Ten and are still up 14. Foul trouble limited Wagler, and the offense stagnated when he wasn’t on the floor. Thought Illinois showed some really good things defensively so far.
January 4, 2026 at 1:02 AM
HALF: #illini 40, Penn St. 26
Pretty ideal when you can feel like you “survived” the first half on the road in the Big Ten and are still up 14. Foul trouble limited Wagler, and the offense stagnated when he wasn’t on the floor. Thought Illinois showed some really good things defensively so far.
Pretty ideal when you can feel like you “survived” the first half on the road in the Big Ten and are still up 14. Foul trouble limited Wagler, and the offense stagnated when he wasn’t on the floor. Thought Illinois showed some really good things defensively so far.
Inject “Brandon Lee causing a moving screen” into my veins!!!
January 4, 2026 at 12:58 AM
Inject “Brandon Lee causing a moving screen” into my veins!!!
Wagler picks up foul #3 going for an offensive rebound. Can’t fault him for playing aggressive, but it’s the risk you run having him out there with 2. Illinois holding on to a 33-21 lead and has had some looks to blow it open even more. #illini
January 4, 2026 at 12:49 AM
Wagler picks up foul #3 going for an offensive rebound. Can’t fault him for playing aggressive, but it’s the risk you run having him out there with 2. Illinois holding on to a 33-21 lead and has had some looks to blow it open even more. #illini
A LOT of zone looks defensively out of Illinois today. Interesting
January 4, 2026 at 12:44 AM
A LOT of zone looks defensively out of Illinois today. Interesting
Z Block Thread! 🚨🚨🚨
January 4, 2026 at 12:39 AM
Z Block Thread! 🚨🚨🚨
Brad Underwood almost NEVER plays guys with 2 fouls in the first half. Keaton Wagler is way too important offensively, and he clearly has an elevated level of trust in the freshman. Penn St. was clawing back, and Wagler blew the lead back to 14. #illini
January 4, 2026 at 12:38 AM
Brad Underwood almost NEVER plays guys with 2 fouls in the first half. Keaton Wagler is way too important offensively, and he clearly has an elevated level of trust in the freshman. Penn St. was clawing back, and Wagler blew the lead back to 14. #illini
3 blocks already for Zvonimir Ivisic, and at least 1 more shot altered. Such a challenge for opponents to score at the rim when he’s dialed defensively.
January 4, 2026 at 12:29 AM
3 blocks already for Zvonimir Ivisic, and at least 1 more shot altered. Such a challenge for opponents to score at the rim when he’s dialed defensively.
Some of these Z blocks… I keep thinking he’s going to break his hand on the backboard! 😄
January 4, 2026 at 12:23 AM
Some of these Z blocks… I keep thinking he’s going to break his hand on the backboard! 😄
eally cool to get to watch Illinois play a game at the Palestra this season. Definitely not the raucous environment we saw at Rec Hall 2 years ago. I see strong smatterings of Orange throughout the building.
January 4, 2026 at 12:16 AM
eally cool to get to watch Illinois play a game at the Palestra this season. Definitely not the raucous environment we saw at Rec Hall 2 years ago. I see strong smatterings of Orange throughout the building.
IDEAL START! #illini lead 13-3. Penn St. looking outmatched in every facet of the game so far, and Illinois is making them play. No sleepy start at the Palestra for this team.
January 4, 2026 at 12:15 AM
IDEAL START! #illini lead 13-3. Penn St. looking outmatched in every facet of the game so far, and Illinois is making them play. No sleepy start at the Palestra for this team.
January 4, 2026 at 12:06 AM
FINAL: #illini 90, Southern 55
Illinois finishes non-conference play with a solid 9-2 showing including wins over Tennessee and Texas Tech. Now, let’s go win a Big Ten title…
Illinois finishes non-conference play with a solid 9-2 showing including wins over Tennessee and Texas Tech. Now, let’s go win a Big Ten title…
December 29, 2025 at 9:59 PM
FINAL: #illini 90, Southern 55
Illinois finishes non-conference play with a solid 9-2 showing including wins over Tennessee and Texas Tech. Now, let’s go win a Big Ten title…
Illinois finishes non-conference play with a solid 9-2 showing including wins over Tennessee and Texas Tech. Now, let’s go win a Big Ten title…