The Champaign Room
A Fighting Illini community since 2012
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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
Why Illinois is showing Air Bud inside Memorial Stadium
I’m not going to lie — I’ve never seen Air Bud. But David Mirkovic apparently has — and it’s one of his all-time favorite films. So to please Illinois’ super sophomore, the FamILLy movie night set for Saturday, Aug. 8 will be Air Bud inside Gies Memorial Stadium. DIA said it will be the public […]
Keaton Wagler struggles in NBA Summer League Debut
LAS VEGAS — It was a highly anticipated evening for both Illini and L.A. Clippers fans alike, as Keaton Wagler, the fifth-overall pick in the NBA Draft, was getting ready to make his Summer League debut. Unfortunately for all parties involved, it was tough sledding for the former All-American guard out of Illinois, as he […]
Morez Johnson Jr. dominates in NBA Summer League debut
Former Illinois big man Morez Johnson Jr. dominated in his NBA Summer League debut on Thursday night. Johnson Jr. finished with 27 points and eight rebounds, shooting an impressive 12-for-17 from the field in 32 minutes. The Mavericks fell to the Warriors, who were led by Johnson’s former Michigan teammate Yaxel Lendeborg. Lendeborg and Johnson […]
Illinois’ non-conference schedule is almost complete
During this episode of Oskee Talk I discuss men’s basketball season tickets selling out (3:56), a new home for Mihailo Petrovic (10:20) and the Illini’s newest non-conference additions (11:52). I also look back on how things have changed since Illinois’ last hoops matchup with Winthrop (15:46) and break down the way too early men’s Top […]
Ranking every Big Ten head basketball coach!
Illini Isaac is joined by Robby Nardini of TCR to break down recent Illini sports news and rank all 18 of the Big Ten head basketball coaches! Check out State Farm Agent Brian Hanson for a home, auto, business, and life insurance needs quote today: https://gtlk.link/5zlx5Emx
Former Illinois star Gabe Jacas remains unsigned with Patriots
When the New England Patriots traded up in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, they were confident in their selection. The team was fresh off a Super Bowl defeat to the Seahawks and was looking to fill a big gap on the defensive edge. So, they selected none other than the Illini’s star […]
Illini Timberwolves with Canis Hoopus!
Illini Isaac is joined by Ryan Eichten of Canis Hoopus (Minnesota Timberwolves’ SB Nation site) to break down Ayo Dosunmu’s new contract with the Timberwolves and Terrence Shannon Jr’s role in his first two NBA seasons with Minnesota. Check out State Farm Agent Brian Hanson for a home, auto, business, and life insurance needs quote […]
Illinois adds non-conference game against Penn
It’s March Madness in November. Illinois will host Penn on Nov. 5 as part of its non-conference schedule. Illinois is a perfect 7-0 against Penn all-time. The two programs most recently squared off in the Round of 64 this past March. The Illini cruised to a comfortable win, 105-70, behind 29 points from David Mirković. […]
Ben Humrichous shows out in Nets’ first two Summer League games
In his two-year stint as an Illini, forward Ben Humrichous was particularly impressive at one thing above all: knocking down the triple. And after upping his physicality last season for Illinois, becoming a weapon on the boards and brick wall on defense, the Brooklyn Nets signed him to an Exhibit-10 contract to give him a […]
Stefan Vaaks continues to impress for Estonia
Current Illini and member of the Estonia Men’s National Team, Stefan Vaaks, had a strong showing against Slovenia in the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers. Check out State Farm Agent Brian Hanson for a home, auto, business, and life insurance needs quote today: https://gtlk.link/5zlx5Emx
How does Illinois stack up with North Carolina?
Illini Isaac, Robby Nardini, and Greg Terry of The Champaign Room break down the recently announced matchup between Illinois and North Carolina that will take place January 30, 2027. Check out State Farm Agent Brian Hanson for a home, auto, business, and life insurance needs quote today: https://gtlk.link/5zlx5Emx
Former Illini Mihailo Petrovic has new home
Nearly three months after hitting the transfer portal, former Illinois guard Mihailo Petrovic has a new home. DraftExpress reported Sunday that Petrovic has committed to Seton Hall for the 2026-27 season. Petrovic played in 19 games for the Illini this past season and ultimately saw his minutes shrink as the season progressed. The 23-year-old Serbian […]
Jakucionis delivers in FIBA debut for Lithuania
KJ is poised for a breakout second season in the NBA. The former Illini guard, who will now be playing with the Bucks in Milwaukee, is spending part of his summer with the Lithuanian national team competing for the FIBA World Cup. In a qualifier this week against Great Britain, Jakucionis scored 16 points, grabbed […]
Who is Illinois’ Biggest Rival? Ranking the Illini’s biggest rivals
There is always plenty of debate among Illinois fans about who the university’s biggest rival is. Isaac, Greg, and I discussed the topic and held an Illinois rivalry draft on The Champaign Room Podcast, and the conversation continued across social media. The nine schools we identified as rivals were Northwestern, Purdue, Iowa, Missouri, Indiana, Wisconsin, […]
Brad Underwood tees off at John Deere Classic Pro-Am
QUAD CITIES, Illinois — At 1:16 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon, Illinois head coach Brad Underwood started his round in the John Deere Classic Pro-Am. Illini fans might notice a familiar face on Underwood’s bag, as his son, and Illinois basketball assistant coach, Tyler Underwood will be caddying for him during the event and helping him […]
Illini focused on the weight room and aggressiveness
It’s clear that Illinois does a good job of bulking up its guys during the summer, as we’ve seen with countless transformations, notably with guys like Ben Humrichous, Kasparas Jakucionis and Will Riley. Big Z continues to bulk up even further after his 27-pound transformation last offseason. Head coach Brad Underwood spoke with the media […]
Illinois season tickets sell out for 3rd straight year
It’s starting to feel like déjà vu. For the third year in a row, Illinois season tickets have sold out. It only makes sense that fans are eager to see the Illini in action after a historic season. Illinois went on a run in the NCAA Tournament and reached the Final Four for the first […]
Drafting Illinois’ biggest rivals!
Illini Isaac, Robby Nardini, and Greg Terry of The Champaign Room draft the biggest rivalries of Illinois Football and Basketball! Who do you think is Illinois’ biggest rival? Check out State Farm Agent Brian Hanson for a home, auto, business, and life insurance needs quote today: https://gtlk.link/5zlx5Emx
Keaton Wagler’s impact on Illinois will extend far beyond 2026
In this episode of Oskee Talk I’m reunited with TCR’s Pleas Honeywood to break down: We also discuss: Click below to listen! How do you think Keaton Wagler will fare in the NBA? Does the road to the B1G title run through Champaign?Join the conversation! Comment below and make sure to subscribe to Oskee Talk […]
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