Where Illinois basketball sits in national ranks at start of 2026

Illinois basketball moved up three spots to No. 16 in the first USA TODAY Network coaches poll of 2026, released Monday, Jan. 5. Illinois (11-3, 2-1) closed the nonconference season last Monday with a win over Southern and then opened the 2026 calendar year with a road win over Penn State in Philadelphia. The Illini remain one of six Big Ten teams ranked in the poll. The Illini are fifth in the league behind No. 1 Michigan, No. 5 Purdue, No. 11 Nebraska and No. 13 Michigan State and ahead of No. 19 Iowa. Illinois basketball scores...