John Blackwell to Illinois? Insider Report Says Illini Lead

Big Ten basketball news is heating up in the transfer portal! 247 Sports insider Travis Branham reports Illinois leads the race for Wisconsin star John Blackwell ahead of Duke. John Blackwell Illinois, Illinois basketball transfer portal updates, backcourt upgrade for Brad Underwood's Illini after Final Four run. Could this move make Illinois a preseason top team? JR breaks down the latest on one of the biggest names in the 2026 college basketball transfer portal. John Blackwell averaged 19.1 PPG, 5.1 RPG for Wisconsin and dropped 31 on Illinois in the tournament — now the Illini (with family ties via his...