CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (Chambana Today) – The Illinois men’s basketball team will begin the 2025-26 season ranked 17th in the Associated Press Top 25 Preseason Poll, marking the program’s fifth appearance in the rankings during head coach Brad Underwood’s tenure. The Fighting Illini previously opened the season in the top 25 in 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24.
This marks the 21st time in Illinois’ storied history that they have earned a spot in the preseason rankings. The Illini are one of six Big Ten teams featured in the Top 25, joining the likes of No. 1 Purdue, No. 7 Michigan, No. 12 UCLA, No. 22 Michigan State, and No. 24 Wisconsin.
As part of their rigorous non-conference schedule, Illinois will take on four preseason top-20 teams: No. 4 UConn, No. 10 Texas Tech, No. 15 Alabama, and No. 18 Tennessee. The Illini will also host Illinois State for an exhibition game at State Farm Center on Sunday at 2 p.m. This game is part of the season ticket package, with a limited number of single-game tickets available for purchase.
Illinois is coming off a 22-win season that saw them advance to the NCAA Tournament’s Second Round, with a final KenPom ranking of 17th. The team returns three starters and continues its dominant performance under Coach Underwood, who has led Illinois to three Big Ten championships in the past five years.
Season tickets for the public have sold out for the second consecutive year, while student tickets sold out in a record 18 minutes. Mini-plan tickets are still available, and single-game tickets will be on sale to I FUND members starting October 20.
