The Champaign Room
A Fighting Illini community since 2012
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Top Illini candidates to replace Keaton Wagler’s playmaking
The 2025-26 season for Illini men’s basketball was one of the most successful in program history. All season long, Illinois boasted one of the most efficient offenses both in the entire country and in the history of KenPom. A lot of that was thanks to freshman guard Keaton Wagler, who burst onto the scene midway […]
Reports: Two five-star prospects set visits to Illinois
Brad Underwood is all the way back in on high school prospects. And Illinois has two of the brightest high school players in the country set for visits to Illinois, according to 247. First, there’s 2027 guard NaVorro Bowman Jr. out of California. The son of former NFL All-Pro LB Navorro Bowman, he’s the 10th-best […]
Illinois legend Devon Witherspoon rearing record NFL deal
Illinois legend Devon Witherspoon is reportedly closing in on a record contract extension with the Seattle Seahawks. According to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport, the deal could net Witherspoon $32 million per year. That figure would be enough to make him the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL. Witherspoon, known by most Illinois fans simply as ‘Spoon,’ […]
Report: Illinois adds non-conference matchup with west coast school
The non-conference schedule is almost put together. Illinois reportedly added another game this week: a Dec. 29 matchup with Seattle, according to Rocco Miller. The two programs have never played each other. The Redhawks play in the West Coast Conference and rejoined Division I in 2009. They finished 21-14 last season, including an 8-10 mark […]
Why Illinois doesn’t need a traditional point guard
The Illini roster is likely set for the 2026-27 season, and Illinois will once again have one of the most talented teams in the country. Five rotation players return from last year’s Final Four team with their sights set on winning a national championship. The roster is loaded and talented enough to make another Final […]
Jer’Zhan Newton joins the show!
Illini Isaac is joined by Jer’Zhan Newton, former Illini and current Washington Commander, to discuss his time at Illinois, transition to the NFL, and favorite food spots in Champaign-Urbana! Check out State Farm Agent Brian Hanson for a home, auto, business, and life insurance needs quote today: https://gtlk.link/5zlx5Emx Chief’s Naturals is launching in September and will […]
Former Illini Malcolm Hill back in Champaign
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Another former Illini basketball player in what seems to be a yearly tradition at this point is back in Champaign, working out in the team’s facilities. The latest in this long line of alumni returning to train at the Ubben Basketball Complex, and perhaps get a lift in with Coach Fletch, is […]
In Josh We Trust
On this episode of Oskee Talk I examine the newest contract extension for Athletic Director Josh Whitman (4:13) and speak about how continuity breeds success (11:06) and the importance of trusting leadership (17:48). I also discuss the tiers of men’s hoops’ non-conference opponents (20:36), the major questions for the team entering 2026-27 (29:33), and how […]
Illinois offers 2028 5-star power forward
While all the hype is well deserved for the 2026-27 season, Illinois is making moves positioning itself for one of the top players in the class of 2028. 5-star power forward Benjamin Berrouet announced this week that he received an offer from the Illini. (Love the logo choice, Benjamin.) 247 has Berrouet as the top […]
Keaton Wagler takes over against Timberwolves
Keaton Wagler had a slow start to his NBA Summer League career, but has since shown why he was the fifth pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Check out State Farm Agent Brian Hanson for a home, auto, business, and life insurance needs quote today: https://gtlk.link/5zlx5Emx Chief’s Naturals is launching in September and will be providing […]
Ranking Illinois’ non-conference schedule by hype
Brad Underwood has never shied away from loading up on elite non-conference opponents, and 2026 is no exception. Facing one of the most intriguing slates of games in the country, the Illini have a gauntlet ahead of them that’s designed to prepare this team for another deep run in March. It’s been years since a […]
The five most important Illini for the 2026-27 season
Everyone’s favorite time of the year is slowly approaching as we are less than seven weeks away from seeing the Fighting Illini football team don those lovely orange and blue jerseys and storm the field at Gies Memorial Stadium for what is set to be another exciting season. Coming off of back-to-back bowl-winning seasons, head […]
Mirkovic and Stojakovic show off their soccer skills ahead of World Cup final
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Assistant Coach Camryn Crocker’s Instagram story Friday morning was one that couldn’t be skipped past. Illini returners David Mirkovic and Andrej Stojakovic were seen at Ubben playing keep-ups with a soccer ball, and kept the thing up for quite some time. It went back and forth off of their heads (and Mirk’s […]
Illinois AD Josh Whitman’s contract extended through 2036
Josh Whitman is now slated to stay in Champaign through 2036. The University’s Board of Trustees approved the deal on Thursday, which will see Whitman’s contract soar to $2.15 million dollars for the 2026/27 year. The new deal includes a yearly pay raise of $100,000, totaling $26.1 million over the contract. Whitman is the fifth-longest-tenured […]
“Greatest all-time Champaign-Urbana places to eat” draft
Illini Isaac and Robby Nardini of TCR are joined by Evan Stone of ESPN 93.5 for a draft of the best ever places to eat in Champaign-Urbana! Check out State Farm Agent Brian Hanson for a home, auto, business, and life insurance needs quote today: https://gtlk.link/5zlx5Emx Chief’s Naturals is launching in September and will be providing […]
Josh Whitman may be getting another contract extension
He’s already considered among the Big Ten — and country’s — best athletic directors. This week, Illinois Director of Athletics Josh Whitman may be getting another contract extension. An agenda for Illinois’ Board of Trustees on Thursday shows Whitman’s contract is up for debate. The agenda reads: “Amend Multiyear Contract with Director, Division of Intercollegiate […]
Kylan Boswell efficient in first Summer League start
Boswell is starting to ball. After three straight games coming off the bench, Kylan Boswell earned his first start in the NBA Summer League. The former Illini has continued to improve throughout the summer. Boswell finished the game with 11 points on 4-7 shooting and went 3-5 from beyond the arc. He also grabbed 7 rebounds, […]
Illinois’ David Mirkovic third in early John Wooden Award odds
College basketball season doesn’t start for another few months, but some oddsmakers out in Las Vegas are already getting busy. Several sportsbooks have already come out with their odds on which player is most likely to win the John Wooden Award, which is given each year to the top player in college basketball. Towards the […]
Get to know Illini QB Katin Houser
After the calmest stretch of QB play in recent Illinois memory, a new era has started in Champaign. Katin Houser is slated to lead the Illini offense this coming fall; yet many don’t know the interesting route that eventually landed him at Gies Memorial Stadium. Houser will be no stranger to the Big Ten, having […]
It’s time to stop hating Morez Johnson Jr.
Sports hate is fun. Morez Johnson Jr. left us. He left us for… (gulp) Michigan. Given the seasons Michigan and Illinois had, it was always going to be a big game. Adding Morez’s departure into the mix just made it that much more personal. When he came back to State Farm Center as a member […]
Two biggest questions facing Illinois Basketball before 2026-27 season
Illinois basketball summer workouts are underway, and the entire roster is finally together on campus. Stefan Vaaks recently returned to Champaign after representing Estonia in the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers. Andrej Stojakovic, Jake Davis, and Lucas Morillo were all dealing with injuries earlier this offseason but are now back on the court. The Illini are […]
Wagler’s Summer League performances and NBA future with Joey Linn
Illini Isaac is joined by Joey Linn, beat reporter for the LA Clippers, to discuss Keaton Wagler’s NBA Summer League performances so far and future role for the franchise. Check out State Farm Agent Brian Hanson for a home, auto, business, and life insurance needs quote today: https://gtlk.link/5zlx5Emx
Keaton Wagler redeems himself in second Summer League game
LAS VEGAS — After a rough debut in the Clippers’ first Summer League outing, many fans began writing off top-five draft pick Keaton Wagler, prematurely labeling the guard as a bust. He didn’t write back though. The nerves caught up to Wagler during his debut in a loss to the Sacramento Kings, where he tallied […]
Will Riley goes off against Kings
It’s safe to say that Will Riley is feeling confident. The former Illinois and current Wizards forward caught fire in his second NBA Summer League game. Riley had a game-high 32 points in 29 minutes. He also added 6 rebounds and 3 assists. His scoring ability was on full display in the victory, something Illinois […]
Boswell efficient in NBA Summer League vs Pelicans
Kylan Boswell contributed 8 points (3/3 FG), 7 assists, and 4 rebounds in only 15 game minutes for the Hornets in a summer league loss to the Pelicans. Check out State Farm Agent Brian Hanson for a home, auto, business, and life insurance needs quote today: https://gtlk.link/5zlx5Emx
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