Illini Ranked Fifth in Final AP Poll

2025-26 Final AP Poll

CHAMPAIGN, Ill.– Illinois has ended the 2025-26 ranked No. 5 in the final AP poll. Illinois earned the final ranking of fifth after advancing to the 2026 Final Four in Indianapolis and compiling a 28-9 record, the fourth-winningest season in school history. The Illini were also Big Ten runner-up at 15-5, equaling the second-most league wins in school history. 

This marks Illinois' fifth top-25 final ranking in the last seven years of the Brad Underwood era, including its third top-10 finish, and second in the top-5.

Underwood becomes just the second coach in school history with at least three top-10 final rankings, joining Harry Combes, who had five. Underwood also joins Combes as the only two Illinois head coaches with multiple top-5 final rankings. 

This is the 31st time in program history that Illinois is ranked in the final AP poll.

Illinois Rank in Final AP Poll (31 times)
1949 – #4 (Coach Harry Combes)
1951 – #5 (Coach Harry Combes)
1952 – #2 (Coach Harry Combes)
1953 – #11 (Coach Harry Combes)
1954 – #19 (Coach Harry Combes)
1955 – #18 (Coach Harry Combes)
1956 – #10 (Coach Harry Combes)
1963 – #8 (Coach Harry Combes)
1969 – #20 (Coach Harv Schmidt)
1981 – #19 (Coach Lou Henson)
1984 – #6 (Coach Lou Henson)
1985 – #12 (Coach Lou Henson)
1986 – #19 (Coach Lou Henson)
1987 – #11 (Coach Lou Henson)
1988 – #16 (Coach Lou Henson)
1989 – #3 (Coach Lou Henson)
1990 – #18 (Coach Lou Henson)
1997 – #19 (Coach Lou Henson)
1998 – #22 (Coach Lou Henson)
2000 – #21 (Coach Lon Kruger)
2001 – #4 (Coach Bill Self)
2002 – #13 (Coach Bill Self)
2003 – #11 (Coach Bill Self)
2004 – #13 (Coach Bruce Weber)
2005 – #1 (Coach Bruce Weber)
2006 – #13 (Coach Bruce Weber)
2020 – #21 (Coach Brad Underwood)
2021 – #2 (Coach Brad Underwood)
2022 – #19 (Coach Brad Underwood)
2024 – #6 (Coach Brad Underwood)
2026 – #5 (Coach Brad Underwood)