Showers early, then partly cloudy overnight. Thunder possible. Low around 50F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..
Showers early, then partly cloudy overnight. Thunder possible. Low around 50F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Updated: September 3, 2025 @ 10:22 pm
Illinois men’s basketball guard Andrej Stojakovic speaks to the crowd at the 101st C-U Kiwanis Club preseason tip-off event Wednesday night at the I Hotel in Champaign. Stojakovic, a transfer from California who is expected to fill a large role this season, is sidelined right now with a knee sprain.
College/Prep Sports Reporter
Illinois men’s basketball guard Andrej Stojakovic speaks to the crowd at the 101st C-U Kiwanis Club preseason tip-off event Wednesday night at the I Hotel in Champaign. Stojakovic, a transfer from California who is expected to fill a large role this season, is sidelined right now with a knee sprain.
CHAMPAIGN — Brad Underwood made an impromptu run as an auctioneer at the end of Wednesday night’s Illinois men’s basketball tip-off event hosted by the C-U Kiwanis Club.
Up for an auction? A signed basketball with the Illini coach’s autograph.
Zvonimir Ivisic was among the first bidders, with the Illini junior raising the stakes to $200. A bid that prompted Underwood to alert the capacity crowd packed into the I Hotel ballroom that name, image and likeness deals meant they’d have some competition for the ball.
Ivisic ultimately bowed out of the bidding even as Underwood jokingly — maybe? — threatened his playing time in the Nov. 3 season opener against Jackson State.
Without the Illinois big man involved, Underwood tried to get Terrence Shannon Jr. to bid. The former Illini guard was back in town again to work out at Ubben Basketball Complex and made a surprise appearance at the tip-off event.
“Terrence, you don’t have one of these, and I know exactly how much you make,” Underwood quipped while continuing to auction off the autographed basketball. Shannon, of course, just completed his first season in the NBA with the Minnesota Timberwolves after being a first-round draft pick in 2024.
The autographed basketball ultimately went for $550. Money that, along with several other silent auction items and more given away through a 50-50 raffle, would go to supporting C-U Kiwanis Club’s efforts in the community.
What used to be a postseason banquet now run as a preseason event brought more than 400 Illinois fans together Wednesday night. It was standing room only for the biggest crowd since the event, now in its 101st year, gained new life following the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I told our team (on Wednesday) that 101 years is the longest in the country,” Underwood said. “Think about that. That’s something we can distinguish and be very, very proud of. It gets bigger — it gets better — every year.”
While Wednesday’s event served as a welcome back for Shannon and fellow former Illini Coleman Hawkins, its primary purpose was introducing the 2025-26 team to the fan base. A group with fewer newcomers than a year prior, but still enough new faces to put front and center alongside key returning players like Kylan Boswell and Tomislav Ivisic.
All 14 players introduced themselves Wednesday night and shared their appreciation for the fans’ support. Boswell went first and got a big pop from the crowd after saying he was from Champaign. The cheer for Ty Rodgers, who is currently sidelined following offseason knee surgery but is the longest-tenured Illini, was even louder.
The only dip in enthusiasm? When Underwood mentioned Andrej Stojakovic was currently out with a knee sprain.
There’s no timetable for the junior guard’s return, as Illinois got back on the court Tuesday when workouts resumed. The official start of practice is Sept. 22. Stojakovic, who projects as a vital piece to Illinois’ success this season, isn’t being rushed back out of an abundance of caution.
Because Underwood has lofty aspirations for the 2025-26 season.
“I think the ceiling is as high as it’s ever been for one of our teams,” the Illinois coach said. “Yes, Coleman and Terrence, that includes your Elite Eight team. We’ve got veteran leadership. We’ve got guys who understand our program. … I think all of our veterans are in position to be much better, much more experienced. I’m excited about that. But the true grit, toughness, character piece is something I’m excited to take to the court as we continue to move forward.”
Underwood also touted his team’s schedule to the crowd Wednesday night, noting the return to the United Center this season against Alabama on Nov. 19 and future games against Connecticut (2026) and Tennessee (2027). The Illini will also host Texas Tech on Nov. 11, tip off against UConn in New York on Nov. 28 and play the Vols in Nashville, Tenn., on Dec. 6.
And that’s all without a finalized slate of 20 Big Ten games that will feature double plays against Maryland, Nebraska and Northwestern and just one game against preseason favorites Purdue (on the road) and Michigan (at home).
“It’s going to be a fun, fun ride,” Underwood said. “I said this in year two. If you didn’t have your tickets, you weren’t going to be able to get them. Guess what? Sorry.”
Scott Richey covers college basketball for The News-Gazette. His email is srichey@news-gazette.com, and you can follow him on Twitter (@srrichey).
College/Prep Sports Reporter
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