Illinois basketball jumped three spots to No. 13 in the newest USA TODAY Network coaches poll, released Monday, Jan. 12.
Illinois (13-3, 4-1) won its two Big Ten Conference games this week, at home against Rutgers and a big ranked road win Sunday at Iowa to extend its win streak to five games.
The Illini remain one of six Big Ten teams ranked in the poll. The Illini are fifth in the league behind No. 3 Michigan, No. 5 Purdue, No. 10 Nebraska and No. 12 Michigan State and ahead of No. 23 Iowa.
Illinois basketball scores last week
Illinois basketball schedule this week
Illinois KenPom rankings: No. 7 | Last week: No. 8
All rankings entering Monday.
Illinois Net rankings: No. 10 | Last week: No. 10
All rankings entering Monday.
USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll for Jan. 12
Poll as of Jan. 12, 2026. First-place votes in parentheses.
Others receiving votes
Tennessee 45; Saint Louis 39; Villanova 34; Saint Mary’s 34; Seton Hall 29; St. John’s 21; SMU 15; Miami (Florida) 14; Texas A&M 13; Miami (Ohio) 8; UCF 6; Wisconsin 5; Ohio State 3; USC 1; Indiana 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: Where Illinois basketball ranks nationally amid ongoing win streak
Reporting by Wes Huett, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
