Colleen Kane

Colleen Kane is the college sports reporter for the Chicago Tribune. She has worked at the Tribune since 2007, starting in high school sports before moving to the White Sox and then the Bears. Before the Tribune, Kane was a sports reporter at the Cincinnati Enquirer following her graduation from the University of Illinois.

Illinois coach Brad Underwood, center, celebrates with players after an Elite Eight game against Iowa in the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Illinois AD Josh Whitman’s patience with Brad Underwood pays off in 1st Final Four since 2005

March 30, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

Illinois' journey back to the Final Four required patience from coach Brad Underwood and athletic director Josh Whitman.

Illinois coach Brad Underwood celebrates after cutting down the net following a 71-59 win over Iowa in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament on March 28, 2026, in Houston. (Alex Slitz/Getty)

Illinois earns trip to Final Four for 1st time in 21 years: ‘We knew we had something special’

March 29, 2026 at 1:27 a.m.

Illinois beat Iowa 71-59 in the South Region final of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, earning a spot in the Final Four for the first time since 2005.

Illinois center Tomislav Ivišić and guards Andrej Stojaković and Keaton Wagler celebrate after defeating Houston in the Sweet 16 on March 27, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

The beauty of the Illinois-Iowa Elite Eight matchup is the paths the players and coaches took to get there

March 28, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

The Illinois-Iowa Elite Eight matchup is a contrast in roster building. But the two Big Ten teams also share many similar threads.

Iowa guard Bennett Stirtz (14) drives around Florida guard Urban Klavzar in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday, March 22, 2026, in Tampa, Fla. (Chris O’Meara/AP)

Elite Eight notes: A better Bennett Stirtz, Illinois letdown watch and Iowa’s Cinderella status

March 27, 2026 at 9:28 p.m.

Iowa's Bennett Stirtz said his first meeting with Illinois was the Illini “just destroying me, just pressuring me.” He'll get another shot at the Illini in the Elite Eight on...

Illinois guard Keaton Wagler (23) celebrates a basket alongside Houston guard Milos Uzan during the second half in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday, March 26, 2026, in Houston. (Eric Gay/AP)

Illinois rides defense to 65-55 win over Houston for 2nd Elite Eight berth in 3 years — vs. Big Ten rival Iowa

March 27, 2026 at 2:15 a.m.

Illinois entered the Sweet 16 with one of the top-rated offenses in the country, but it needed to match Houston’s elite defense to pull out a gritty 65-55 win Thursday.

Illinois coach Brad Underwood and his son Tyler react to a play against Purdue on Jan. 5, 2020. (Holly Hart/AP)

Brad Underwood has had son Tyler by his side during Illinois’ revival — now as coordinator of elite offense

March 26, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

For Illinois assistant coach Tyler Underwood, this week in the Sweet 16 is about helping his father, Brad, march toward the goal he has had since 2017: to win a...

Illinois' Keaton Wagler lines up a shot during practice at Toyota Center on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 in Houston. The Illini play Houston in the Sweet 16 on Thursday. (Kenneth Richmond/Getty)

NCAA Tournament notes: Keaton Wagler vs. Kingston Flemings on tap — and Big Ten gauntlet breeds success

March 25, 2026 at 7:12 p.m.

The Illinois-Houston matchup in the Sweet 16 will be a showcase for two of the country's top freshman guards in Illinois' Keaton Wagler and Houston's Kingston Flemings.

Illinois center Tomislav Ivisic, right, goes up to block a shot from VCU guard Jadrian Tracey during the first half in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 21, 2026, in Greenville, S.C. (Chris Carlson/AP)

Illinois big men rediscover their nastiness in advancing to the Sweet 16: ‘That’s a recipe to win for us’

March 23, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

Whether it was their size advantage against the lower-seeded teams or Brad Underwood’s challenge in the days after, Illinois — particularly its big men — showed the nastiness is still...

Illinois guard Andrej Stojaković (2) celebrates after dunking against VCU during the first half in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 21, 2026, in Greenville, S.C. (Brynn Anderson/AP)

NCAA Tournament: Illinois puts on a show in 76-55 win over VCU to advance to Sweet 16

March 22, 2026 at 12:09 a.m.

Andrej Stojaković scored 21 points, helping No. 3 seed Illinois beat No. 11 seed VCU on Saturday night in the NCAA Tournament. The Illini advance to play Houston in the...

Illinois guard Andrej Stojaković shoots over Penn forward Michael Zanoni during the second half of a first-round NCAA Tournament game Thursday, March 19, 2026, in Greenville, S.C. (Chris Carlson/AP)

For Illinois’ Andrej Stojaković, a season of change — and winning — results in his 1st NCAA Tournament

March 21, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

Illinois has asked Andrej Stojaković to be more than just a scorer in his first season on an NCAA Tournament team.

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