Illinois basketball fell one spot to No. 11 in the newest USA TODAY Network coaches poll, released Monday, Feb. 23.
Illinois (22-6, 13-4 Big Ten) looks to put together a new win streak after two Big Ten Conference games this past week, on the road versus USC and UCLA. The Illini have a big home game Friday against Michigan.
The Illini are one of five Big Ten teams ranked in the poll. Illinois is behind No. 3 Michigan, No. 8 Purdue and No. 10 Nebraska, while ahead of No. 13 Michigan State.
Illinois basketball goes 1-1 last week
Illinois basketball schedule this week
Illinois KenPom rankings: No. 4 | Last week: No. 6
All rankings entering Monday.
Illinois Net rankings: No. 4 | Last week: No. 5
All rankings entering Monday.
USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll for Feb. 23
Poll as of Feb. 23, 2026. First-place votes in parentheses.
Others receiving votes
Wisconsin 35; Villanova 25; Georgia 18; Utah State 7; Iowa 6; Saint Mary’s 5; Miami (FL) 5; Clemson 1.
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: After collapse in last game, Illinois basketball drops in USA TODAY coaches poll
Reporting by Adam Duvall, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
