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AUSTIN, Texas -- Somewhere lost in all the pomp, circumstance, inspirational montages and endless car commercials of the NCAA tournament is the little secret someone forgot to mention to Colorado and Illinois -- in order to win, you must put ...

The state of Illinois will be represented by 41 players on the 68 teams in the NCAA tournament this year. Here's a look at the players, including their hometowns and high schools: Illinois sophomore guard Tracy Abrams (Chicago, Mount Carmel) West...

CHICAGO -- Quick reaction to Indiana's 80-64 win over Illinois on Friday. Overview: When Indiana's offense is clicking, when it is breaking opponents down with spacing and fluid ball movement, there is no more entertaining and (for opposing defens...

Despite inconsistent play this season, the Illini have proved capable of beating the nation's top teams. Can Brandon Paul and Co. shoot their way into the Sweet 16? ESPN Insider has the answer, along with best- and worst-case scenarios for all 68 teams.

Story | Conversation | March 15, 2013

Illinois 62, Northwestern 41

The last time Brandon Paul played Ohio State at home, he didn't have just a career game -- he had anybody's career game. That night, Jan. 10, 2012, Paul scored 43 points on 15 shots, including 8 of 10 from beyond the arc. More than a few of those ...

Brandon Paul scored 19 points and No. 11 Illinois bounced back from a tough loss in its Big Ten opener to beat No. 8 Ohio State 74-55 on Saturday.

Here are three things we've learned about Illinois during its non-conference schedule: 1. Illinois is an NCAA tournament team: The Illini and first-year coach John Groce have been one of the nation's biggest surprises during the non-conference sea...

CHICAGO -- Something changed in Illinois sophomore point guard Tracy Abrams from the time he went home for Christmas to when he returned to campus this week. In the few days of practice leading up to Saturday's game against Auburn, Illinois coach ...

Tracy Abrams scored a career-high 29 points to help No. 12 Illinois hold off Auburn 81-79....

CHICAGO -- A quick look at No. 12 Illinois' 81-79 win over Auburn at the United Center on Saturday. Overview: Playing in Chicago hadn't been kind to Illinois in recent years. The Illini had been knocked off the last three times they held their ann...

Brandon Paul looks at the rest of the Illinois roster and sees no reason why the Illini can't compete in the Big Ten.

LAHAINA, Hawaii -- For the first two games of the EA Sports Maui Invitational, the Butler Bulldogs looked like giant-killers, circa 2010 and 2011. A buzzer-beater versus Marquette followed by a thumping of North Carolina in the semifinals set them...

Illinois 89, St. Francis (NY) 64

Illinois 75, Colgate 55

I don't put much stock into exhibitions. The goal, for most coaches, is to learn more about their respective programs and shake off the rust from the offseason. Sloppy play is expected. Even for the best. Illinois' struggles in its 75-66 exhibi...