Illinois - AP Rankings

Ranked in 74 AP polls of 905 across 12 seasons, first on November 29, 1981 (No. 19) and most recently on January 12, 2026 (No. 25). Best ranking No. 5.

Rank in every AP poll, 1976–2026 (top of the chart is No. 1, bottom is No. 25).

Illinois in the NCAA Tournament

Seasons ranked

1981-1982 1986-1987 1987-1988 1996-1997 1997-1998 1998-1999 1999-2000 2000-2001 2022-2023 2023-2024 2024-2025 2025-2026

Statistics

Illinois statistics summary
StatisticValueDetails
Best ranking5
# Polls Ranked74
First: November 29, 1981 (19)
Most recent: January 12, 2026 (25)
# Polls Ranked No. 1--
# Polls Ranked Top 51
First: December 8, 1997 (5)
# Polls Ranked Top 1011
First: November 7, 1997 (7)
Most recent: November 29, 1999 (10)
# Polls Ranked Top 1529
First: December 13, 1981 (15)
Most recent: January 17, 2000 (13)
# Polls Ranked Top 2055
First: November 29, 1981 (19)
Most recent: November 25, 2024 (19)
Most Consecutive Polls Ranked28January 27, 1997 - November 23, 1998
Most Consecutive Polls Ranked No. 1--
Most Consecutive Polls Ranked Top 51December 8, 1997 - December 8, 1997
Most Consecutive Polls Ranked Top 105November 7, 1997 - December 8, 1997
Most Consecutive Polls Ranked Top 1516November 7, 1997 - February 23, 1998
Most Consecutive Polls Ranked Top 2024February 3, 1997 - March 9, 1998
# Seasons Ranked12
First: 1981-1982
Most recent: 2025-2026
# Seasons Ranked No. 1--
# Seasons Ranked Top 51
First: 1997-1998
# Seasons Ranked Top 102
First: 1997-1998
Most recent: 1999-2000
# Seasons Ranked Top 155
First: 1981-1982
Most recent: 1999-2000
# Seasons Ranked Top 207
First: 1981-1982
Most recent: 2024-2025
# Seasons Preseason Ranked4
First: 1997-1998
Most recent: 2023-2024
# Seasons Preseason Ranked No. 1--
# Seasons Preseason Ranked Top 5--
# Seasons Preseason Ranked Top 101
First: 1997-1998
# Seasons Preseason Ranked Top 152
First: 1997-1998
Most recent: 1999-2000
# Seasons Preseason Ranked Top 202
First: 1997-1998
Most recent: 1999-2000
Largest Poll-to-Poll Rise14Unranked (March 8, 1999) → No. 12 (November 9, 1999)
Largest In-Season Poll-to-Poll Rise7No. 25 (January 27, 1997) → No. 18 (February 3, 1997)
Largest Poll-to-Poll Fall9No. 16 (March 9, 1998) → No. 25 (November 6, 1998)
Largest In-Season Poll-to-Poll Fall8
2 times
First: No. 5 (December 8, 1997) → No. 13 (December 15, 1997)
Most recent: No. 13 (January 17, 2000) → No. 21 (January 24, 2000)

Details

Best ranking (5)
Best ranking
PollRanking
Nov 29, 198119
Dec 6, 198118
Dec 13, 198115
Dec 20, 198114
Dec 27, 198112
Nov 7, 19977
Dec 1, 19976
Dec 8, 19975
# Polls Ranked (74)
# Polls Ranked
PollRanking
Nov 29, 198119
Dec 6, 198118
Dec 13, 198115
Dec 20, 198114
Dec 27, 198112
Jan 3, 198215
Jan 31, 198220
Dec 9, 198618
Dec 16, 198615
Dec 23, 198618
Dec 30, 198617
Jan 6, 198719
Jan 13, 198719
Jan 20, 198720
Jan 27, 198719
Feb 3, 198719
Dec 14, 198719
Dec 21, 198720
Dec 28, 198720
Jan 27, 199725
Feb 3, 199718
Feb 10, 199715
Feb 17, 199717
Feb 24, 199718
Mar 3, 199716
Mar 10, 199716
Nov 7, 19977
Nov 17, 19977
Nov 24, 19978
Dec 1, 19976
Dec 8, 19975
Dec 15, 199713
Dec 22, 199713
Dec 29, 199713
Jan 5, 199811
Jan 12, 19988
Jan 19, 19986
Jan 26, 19988
Feb 2, 199812
Feb 9, 19989
Feb 16, 19989
Feb 23, 199813
Mar 2, 199817
Mar 9, 199816
Nov 6, 199825
Nov 16, 199824
Nov 23, 199825
Nov 9, 199912
Nov 15, 199913
Nov 22, 199915
Nov 29, 199910
Dec 6, 199917
Dec 13, 199919
Dec 20, 199918
Dec 27, 199917
Jan 3, 200015
Jan 10, 200012
Jan 17, 200013
Jan 24, 200021
Jan 31, 200023
Nov 13, 200025
Nov 20, 200021
Nov 27, 200024
Jan 9, 202324
Jan 16, 202321
Jan 23, 202322
Feb 20, 202325
Oct 17, 202323
Nov 11, 202423
Nov 18, 202422
Nov 25, 202419
Dec 2, 202421
Feb 17, 202525
Jan 12, 202625
# Polls Ranked No. 1 (-)
# Polls Ranked No. 1
PollRanking
None
# Polls Ranked Top 5 (1)
# Polls Ranked Top 5
PollRanking
Dec 8, 19975
# Polls Ranked Top 10 (11)
# Polls Ranked Top 10
PollRanking
Nov 7, 19977
Nov 17, 19977
Nov 24, 19978
Dec 1, 19976
Dec 8, 19975
Jan 12, 19988
Jan 19, 19986
Jan 26, 19988
Feb 9, 19989
Feb 16, 19989
Nov 29, 199910
# Polls Ranked Top 15 (29)
# Polls Ranked Top 15
PollRanking
Dec 13, 198115
Dec 20, 198114
Dec 27, 198112
Jan 3, 198215
Dec 16, 198615
Feb 10, 199715
Nov 7, 19977
Nov 17, 19977
Nov 24, 19978
Dec 1, 19976
Dec 8, 19975
Dec 15, 199713
Dec 22, 199713
Dec 29, 199713
Jan 5, 199811
Jan 12, 19988
Jan 19, 19986
Jan 26, 19988
Feb 2, 199812
Feb 9, 19989
Feb 16, 19989
Feb 23, 199813
Nov 9, 199912
Nov 15, 199913
Nov 22, 199915
Nov 29, 199910
Jan 3, 200015
Jan 10, 200012
Jan 17, 200013
# Polls Ranked Top 20 (55)
# Polls Ranked Top 20
PollRanking
Nov 29, 198119
Dec 6, 198118
Dec 13, 198115
Dec 20, 198114
Dec 27, 198112
Jan 3, 198215
Jan 31, 198220
Dec 9, 198618
Dec 16, 198615
Dec 23, 198618
Dec 30, 198617
Jan 6, 198719
Jan 13, 198719
Jan 20, 198720
Jan 27, 198719
Feb 3, 198719
Dec 14, 198719
Dec 21, 198720
Dec 28, 198720
Feb 3, 199718
Feb 10, 199715
Feb 17, 199717
Feb 24, 199718
Mar 3, 199716
Mar 10, 199716
Nov 7, 19977
Nov 17, 19977
Nov 24, 19978
Dec 1, 19976
Dec 8, 19975
Dec 15, 199713
Dec 22, 199713
Dec 29, 199713
Jan 5, 199811
Jan 12, 19988
Jan 19, 19986
Jan 26, 19988
Feb 2, 199812
Feb 9, 19989
Feb 16, 19989
Feb 23, 199813
Mar 2, 199817
Mar 9, 199816
Nov 9, 199912
Nov 15, 199913
Nov 22, 199915
Nov 29, 199910
Dec 6, 199917
Dec 13, 199919
Dec 20, 199918
Dec 27, 199917
Jan 3, 200015
Jan 10, 200012
Jan 17, 200013
Nov 25, 202419
Most Consecutive Polls Ranked (28)
Most Consecutive Polls Ranked
PlaceFromToPolls
1.Jan 27, 1997Nov 23, 199828
2.Nov 9, 1999Jan 31, 200013
3.Dec 9, 1986Feb 3, 19879
4.Nov 29, 1981Jan 3, 19826
5.Nov 11, 2024Dec 2, 20244
6.Dec 14, 1987Dec 28, 19873
Nov 13, 2000Nov 27, 20003
Jan 9, 2023Jan 23, 20233
9.Jan 31, 1982Jan 31, 19821
Feb 20, 2023Feb 20, 20231
Oct 17, 2023Oct 17, 20231
Feb 17, 2025Feb 17, 20251
Jan 12, 2026Jan 12, 20261
Most Consecutive Polls Ranked No. 1 (-)
Most Consecutive Polls Ranked No. 1
PlaceFromToPolls
None
Most Consecutive Polls Ranked Top 5 (1)
Most Consecutive Polls Ranked Top 5
PlaceFromToPolls
1.Dec 8, 1997Dec 8, 19971
Most Consecutive Polls Ranked Top 10 (5)
Most Consecutive Polls Ranked Top 10
PlaceFromToPolls
1.Nov 7, 1997Dec 8, 19975
2.Jan 12, 1998Jan 26, 19983
3.Feb 9, 1998Feb 16, 19982
4.Nov 29, 1999Nov 29, 19991
Most Consecutive Polls Ranked Top 15 (16)
Most Consecutive Polls Ranked Top 15
PlaceFromToPolls
1.Nov 7, 1997Feb 23, 199816
2.Dec 13, 1981Jan 3, 19824
Nov 9, 1999Nov 29, 19994
4.Jan 3, 2000Jan 17, 20003
5.Dec 16, 1986Dec 16, 19861
Feb 10, 1997Feb 10, 19971
Most Consecutive Polls Ranked Top 20 (24)
Most Consecutive Polls Ranked Top 20
PlaceFromToPolls
1.Feb 3, 1997Mar 9, 199824
2.Nov 9, 1999Jan 17, 200011
3.Dec 9, 1986Feb 3, 19879
4.Nov 29, 1981Jan 3, 19826
5.Dec 14, 1987Dec 28, 19873
6.Jan 31, 1982Jan 31, 19821
Nov 25, 2024Nov 25, 20241
# Seasons Ranked (12)
# Seasons Ranked
SeasonBest ranking
1981-198212
1986-198715
1987-198819
1996-199715
1997-19985
1998-199924
1999-200010
2000-200121
2022-202321
2023-202423
2024-202519
2025-202625
# Seasons Ranked No. 1 (-)
# Seasons Ranked No. 1
SeasonBest ranking
None
# Seasons Ranked Top 5 (1)
# Seasons Ranked Top 5
SeasonBest ranking
1997-19985
# Seasons Ranked Top 10 (2)
# Seasons Ranked Top 10
SeasonBest ranking
1997-19985
1999-200010
# Seasons Ranked Top 15 (5)
# Seasons Ranked Top 15
SeasonBest ranking
1981-198212
1986-198715
1996-199715
1997-19985
1999-200010
# Seasons Ranked Top 20 (7)
# Seasons Ranked Top 20
SeasonBest ranking
1981-198212
1986-198715
1987-198819
1996-199715
1997-19985
1999-200010
2024-202519
# Seasons Preseason Ranked (4)
# Seasons Preseason Ranked
SeasonPreseason ranking
1997-19987
1998-199925
1999-200012
2023-202423
# Seasons Preseason Ranked No. 1 (-)
# Seasons Preseason Ranked No. 1
SeasonPreseason ranking
None
# Seasons Preseason Ranked Top 5 (-)
# Seasons Preseason Ranked Top 5
SeasonPreseason ranking
None
# Seasons Preseason Ranked Top 10 (1)
# Seasons Preseason Ranked Top 10
SeasonPreseason ranking
1997-19987
# Seasons Preseason Ranked Top 15 (2)
# Seasons Preseason Ranked Top 15
SeasonPreseason ranking
1997-19987
1999-200012
# Seasons Preseason Ranked Top 20 (2)
# Seasons Preseason Ranked Top 20
SeasonPreseason ranking
1997-19987
1999-200012
Largest Poll-to-Poll Rise (14)
Largest Poll-to-Poll Rise
PlaceFromToRise
1.Unranked (Mar 8, 1999)No. 12 (Nov 9, 1999)14
2.No. 16 (Mar 10, 1997)No. 7 (Nov 7, 1997)9
3.No. 25 (Jan 27, 1997)No. 18 (Feb 3, 1997)7
4.No. 15 (Nov 22, 1999)No. 10 (Nov 29, 1999)5
5.No. 25 (Nov 13, 2000)No. 21 (Nov 20, 2000)4
6.No. 18 (Dec 6, 1981)No. 15 (Dec 13, 1981)3
Unranked (Dec 2, 1986)No. 18 (Dec 9, 1986)3
No. 18 (Dec 9, 1986)No. 15 (Dec 16, 1986)3
No. 18 (Feb 3, 1997)No. 15 (Feb 10, 1997)3
No. 11 (Jan 5, 1998)No. 8 (Jan 12, 1998)3
No. 12 (Feb 2, 1998)No. 9 (Feb 9, 1998)3
No. 15 (Jan 3, 2000)No. 12 (Jan 10, 2000)3
No. 24 (Jan 9, 2023)No. 21 (Jan 16, 2023)3
Unranked (Mar 13, 2023)No. 23 (Oct 17, 2023)3
Unranked (Oct 15, 2024)No. 23 (Nov 11, 2024)3
No. 22 (Nov 18, 2024)No. 19 (Nov 25, 2024)3
17.Unranked (Nov 18, 1981)No. 19 (Nov 29, 1981)2
No. 14 (Dec 20, 1981)No. 12 (Dec 27, 1981)2
Unranked (Dec 7, 1987)No. 19 (Dec 14, 1987)2
No. 18 (Feb 24, 1997)No. 16 (Mar 3, 1997)2
No. 8 (Nov 24, 1997)No. 6 (Dec 1, 1997)2
No. 13 (Dec 29, 1997)No. 11 (Jan 5, 1998)2
No. 8 (Jan 12, 1998)No. 6 (Jan 19, 1998)2
No. 17 (Dec 27, 1999)No. 15 (Jan 3, 2000)2
Unranked (Jan 2, 2023)No. 24 (Jan 9, 2023)2
Largest In-Season Poll-to-Poll Rise (7)
Largest In-Season Poll-to-Poll Rise
PlaceFromToRise
1.No. 25 (Jan 27, 1997)No. 18 (Feb 3, 1997)7
2.No. 15 (Nov 22, 1999)No. 10 (Nov 29, 1999)5
3.No. 25 (Nov 13, 2000)No. 21 (Nov 20, 2000)4
4.No. 18 (Dec 6, 1981)No. 15 (Dec 13, 1981)3
Unranked (Dec 2, 1986)No. 18 (Dec 9, 1986)3
No. 18 (Dec 9, 1986)No. 15 (Dec 16, 1986)3
No. 18 (Feb 3, 1997)No. 15 (Feb 10, 1997)3
No. 11 (Jan 5, 1998)No. 8 (Jan 12, 1998)3
No. 12 (Feb 2, 1998)No. 9 (Feb 9, 1998)3
No. 15 (Jan 3, 2000)No. 12 (Jan 10, 2000)3
No. 24 (Jan 9, 2023)No. 21 (Jan 16, 2023)3
Unranked (Oct 15, 2024)No. 23 (Nov 11, 2024)3
No. 22 (Nov 18, 2024)No. 19 (Nov 25, 2024)3
14.Unranked (Nov 18, 1981)No. 19 (Nov 29, 1981)2
No. 14 (Dec 20, 1981)No. 12 (Dec 27, 1981)2
Unranked (Dec 7, 1987)No. 19 (Dec 14, 1987)2
No. 18 (Feb 24, 1997)No. 16 (Mar 3, 1997)2
No. 8 (Nov 24, 1997)No. 6 (Dec 1, 1997)2
No. 13 (Dec 29, 1997)No. 11 (Jan 5, 1998)2
No. 8 (Jan 12, 1998)No. 6 (Jan 19, 1998)2
No. 17 (Dec 27, 1999)No. 15 (Jan 3, 2000)2
Unranked (Jan 2, 2023)No. 24 (Jan 9, 2023)2
Largest Poll-to-Poll Fall (9)
Largest Poll-to-Poll Fall
PlaceFromToFall
1.No. 16 (Mar 9, 1998)No. 25 (Nov 6, 1998)9
2.No. 5 (Dec 8, 1997)No. 13 (Dec 15, 1997)8
No. 13 (Jan 17, 2000)No. 21 (Jan 24, 2000)8
4.No. 10 (Nov 29, 1999)No. 17 (Dec 6, 1999)7
5.No. 15 (Jan 3, 1982)Unranked (Jan 10, 1982)6
6.No. 21 (Dec 2, 2024)Unranked (Dec 9, 2024)5
7.No. 8 (Jan 26, 1998)No. 12 (Feb 2, 1998)4
No. 9 (Feb 16, 1998)No. 13 (Feb 23, 1998)4
No. 13 (Feb 23, 1998)No. 17 (Mar 2, 1998)4
No. 22 (Jan 23, 2023)Unranked (Jan 30, 2023)4
11.No. 12 (Dec 27, 1981)No. 15 (Jan 3, 1982)3
No. 15 (Dec 16, 1986)No. 18 (Dec 23, 1986)3
No. 23 (Jan 31, 2000)Unranked (Feb 7, 2000)3
No. 21 (Nov 20, 2000)No. 24 (Nov 27, 2000)3
No. 23 (Oct 17, 2023)Unranked (Nov 13, 2023)3
16.No. 17 (Dec 30, 1986)No. 19 (Jan 6, 1987)2
No. 19 (Feb 3, 1987)Unranked (Feb 10, 1987)2
No. 15 (Feb 10, 1997)No. 17 (Feb 17, 1997)2
No. 6 (Jan 19, 1998)No. 8 (Jan 26, 1998)2
No. 13 (Nov 15, 1999)No. 15 (Nov 22, 1999)2
No. 17 (Dec 6, 1999)No. 19 (Dec 13, 1999)2
No. 21 (Jan 24, 2000)No. 23 (Jan 31, 2000)2
No. 24 (Nov 27, 2000)Unranked (Dec 4, 2000)2
No. 19 (Nov 25, 2024)No. 21 (Dec 2, 2024)2
Largest In-Season Poll-to-Poll Fall (8)
Largest In-Season Poll-to-Poll Fall
PlaceFromToFall
1.No. 5 (Dec 8, 1997)No. 13 (Dec 15, 1997)8
No. 13 (Jan 17, 2000)No. 21 (Jan 24, 2000)8
3.No. 10 (Nov 29, 1999)No. 17 (Dec 6, 1999)7
4.No. 15 (Jan 3, 1982)Unranked (Jan 10, 1982)6
5.No. 21 (Dec 2, 2024)Unranked (Dec 9, 2024)5
6.No. 8 (Jan 26, 1998)No. 12 (Feb 2, 1998)4
No. 9 (Feb 16, 1998)No. 13 (Feb 23, 1998)4
No. 13 (Feb 23, 1998)No. 17 (Mar 2, 1998)4
No. 22 (Jan 23, 2023)Unranked (Jan 30, 2023)4
10.No. 12 (Dec 27, 1981)No. 15 (Jan 3, 1982)3
No. 15 (Dec 16, 1986)No. 18 (Dec 23, 1986)3
No. 23 (Jan 31, 2000)Unranked (Feb 7, 2000)3
No. 21 (Nov 20, 2000)No. 24 (Nov 27, 2000)3
No. 23 (Oct 17, 2023)Unranked (Nov 13, 2023)3
15.No. 17 (Dec 30, 1986)No. 19 (Jan 6, 1987)2
No. 19 (Feb 3, 1987)Unranked (Feb 10, 1987)2
No. 15 (Feb 10, 1997)No. 17 (Feb 17, 1997)2
No. 6 (Jan 19, 1998)No. 8 (Jan 26, 1998)2
No. 13 (Nov 15, 1999)No. 15 (Nov 22, 1999)2
No. 17 (Dec 6, 1999)No. 19 (Dec 13, 1999)2
No. 21 (Jan 24, 2000)No. 23 (Jan 31, 2000)2
No. 24 (Nov 27, 2000)Unranked (Dec 4, 2000)2
No. 19 (Nov 25, 2024)No. 21 (Dec 2, 2024)2