Illinois Basketball Pursues Iowa Rising Star Colin Rice

Illinois basketball, under coach Brad Underwood, has built a strong program with top recruits, including a 2024 first-round NBA Draft pick, and continues to pursue promising talent like 2026 forward Colin Rice, who is drawing recruiting interest from multiple programs including Illinois. The best Underwood-era Illinois team includes All-Americans such as Ayo Dosunmu and Kofi Cockburn, complemented by strong defensive and versatile players like Trent Frazier and Jacob Hawkins. Illinois is actively recruiting in the transfer portal and internationally, aiming to maintain its competitive edge. Meanwhile, Purdue men's basketball is hosting its sixth Alumni Game on August 2 at Mackey Arena, following the football Fan Day, featuring former players and the current team, with both premium ticket sales and free general admission seating. The event promises a celebration of Purdue basketball heritage and fan engagement, with concessions and team store pop-ups enhancing the experience.