Illinois basketball moved up two spots to No. 9 in the newest USA TODAY Network coaches poll, released Monday, March 9.
Illinois (24-7, 15-5 Big Ten) looks to build on its two-game win streak after winning back-to-back games to close out the regular season. The Illini open Big Ten Conference play with a 1:30 p.m. Friday quarterfinal.
The Illini are one of six Big Ten teams ranked in the poll. Illinois is behind No. 3 Michigan and No. 8 Michigan State, ahead of No. 10 Nebraska, No. 18 Purdue and No. 23 Wisconsin.
Illinois basketball goes 2-0 last week
- Illinois 80, Oregon 54: Illinois held the Ducks to 21 first-half points and 32.8% shooting in picking up the Senior Night victory. Andrej Stojakovic (21 points, 12 rebounds), David Mirkovic (19 points, seven rebounds) and Keaton Wagler (11 points, six rebounds, five assists) scored in double figures in shooting 40.8% and getting 40 bench points. Illinois finished its home slate by going 14-3.
- Illinois 78, Maryland 72: In a game that featured 13 ties and four lead changes, the Illini got a double-double from David Mirkovic (22 points, 11 rebounds) in regular season finale. Keaton Wagler and Kylan Boswell each scored 11 points. The victory helped Illinois lock up the No. 4 seed in the Big Ten Conference Tournament, starting Tuesday. Illinois went 8-2 on the road this season.
Illinois basketball schedule this week
- Friday, March 13: 1:30 p.m. vs. TBD, United Center, Chicago (Big Ten Conference Tournament)
Illinois KenPom rankings: No. 5 | Last week: No. 5
All rankings entering Monday.
- Offensive efficiency: No. 1
- Defensive efficiency: No. 26
Illinois Net rankings: No. 6 | Last week: No. 5
All rankings entering Monday.
- Quad 1 record: 7-7
- Quad 2 record: 7-0
- Quad 3 record: 5-0
- Quad 4 record: 5-0
USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll for March 9
Poll as of March 9, 2026. First-place votes in parentheses.
- Duke (28)
- Arizona (3)
- Michigan
- Florida
- Houston
- UConn
- Iowa State
- Michigan State
- Illinois
- Nebraska
- Virginia
- Gonzaga
- St. John’s
- Texas Tech
- Alabama
- Kansas
- Arkansas
- Purdue
- North Carolina
- Miami (OH)
- Saint Mary’s
- Vanderbilt
- Wisconsin
- Louisville
- Miami (FL)
Others receiving votes
Villanova 27; Tennessee 22; Saint Louis 9; UCLA 6; Georgia 6; Utah State 3; Ohio State 2; BYU 2.
Who votes in the college basketball coaches poll?
The USA TODAY Sports Board of Coaches is made up of 31 head coaches at Division I institutions. All are members of the National Association of Basketball Coaches. The board for the 2025-26 season: Adrian Autry, Syracuse; John Becker, Vermont; Randy Bennett, Saint Mary’s; Jeff Boals, Ohio; Alvin Brooks, Lamar; Pat Chambers, Florida Gulf Coast; Scott Drew, Baylor; Dan Earl, Chattanooga; Jonas Hayes, Georgia State; Donte’ Jackson, Alabama A&M; Ben Jacobson, Northern Iowa; James Jones, Yale; Greg Kampe, Oakland; Eric Konkol, Tulsa; Brad Korn, Southeast Missouri State; Anthony Latina, Sacred Heart; Jim Les, UC Davis; Greg McDermott, Creighton; Nick McDevitt, Middle Tennessee; Mike McGarvey, Lafayette; Dan Monson, Eastern Washington; Chris Mooney, Richmond; Mike Morrell, UNC Asheville; Nate Oats, Alabama; Eric Olen, New Mexico; Matt Painter, Purdue; Paul Sather, North Dakota; Patrick Sellers, Central Connecticut State; Zach Spiker, Drexel; Brett Tanner, Abilene Christian; Stan Waterman, Delaware State.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Illinois basketball rankings in USA Today poll for March 9