A Fighting Illini community since 2012
On this episode of “Oskee Talk” I recap the season-opening win for Illini women’s basketball (1:53) and discuss who can fill the leadership void for Shauna Green in 2025 (8:06). I also break down men’s basketball’s blowout of Jackson State (10:39), review the Illini’s perimeter prowess (16:20), and wonder if this year’s roster is Brad […]
With its 35-13 win vs. Rutgers, Illinois improved to 6-3 and bowl-eligible for the second season in a row. The last time that happened was 2010-11, and the Illini have now made three bowl games in four seasons. It’s the first time that has happened since 1991-94. The chance to go 9-3 for the second […]
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — In early January, it was announced that the Illini would be adding a new wide receiver to their ranks via the transfer portal. After spending two seasons and a redshirt year at West Virginia, Hudson Clement made the decision to come to Champaign and suit up for head coach Bret Bielema’s Fighting […]
How to Watch No. 17 Illinois vs. Florida Gulf Coast Game Time: 7:30 p.m. Friday TV Channel: N/A Online Streaming: Peacock Odds: N/A Quick Hits: Illinois Fighting Illini (1-0, 0-0 Big Ten) Head Coach: Brad Underwood (9th season, 166-101) Last Game: Illinois 113, Jackson State 55 Gameday Reading: FGCU Eagles (1-0, 0-0 ASUN) Head Coach: Pat Chambers (4th season) Last […]
The Naismith Player of the Year watch list was released last week, and a pair of Illini were selected. Juniors Tomislav Ivisic and Andrej Stojakovic both earned a spot on this exclusive list, which highlights the projected top 50 players in college basketball this season. This announcement comes just days after Ivisic and Stojakovic were […]
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Tale of two halves. The Illini returned to State Farm Center to host the SEMO Redhawks to begin their regular season campaign on Monday, and did so by taking the right step forward and defeating them 91-67. Although it was a blowout, the score doesn’t always tell the whole story. It was […]
After Thursday’s exhibition win versus Maryville, Illinois women’s basketball officially returns to the court on Tuesday. The Illini will face off against the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks at State Farm Center at 6 p.m. Point guard fixes The injury bug has already struck the Illini with two freshmen, Erica Finney and Manuella Alves suffering season-ending […]
On this episode of “Oskee Talk” I recap the end of the women’s soccer season and a rough stretch for Illini volleyball (3:13). I’m then joined by TCR’s Brandt Dolce to review Illini football’s blowout win over Rutgers (13:32). We reset the program’s expectations as they enter their second bye week (22:12) and discuss what […]
Basketball season is underway, both in Champaign and around the world. This offseason, six former Illini (Jakucionas, Riley, Goode, Hawkins, Curbelo, Melendez) exhausted their college eligibility or declared for the NBA Draft and joined the professional ranks, bringing the total number of Illini currently being paid to play basketball to somewhere between 18-20. Once the […]
CHAMPAIGN — As Illinois churned out a beatdown of Jackson State on Monday night’s season opener, freshman forward David Mirkovic launched a pass from inside Illinois’ paint to the other end of the court intended for forward Jake Davis. Instead, the intended dunk unraveled, and eventually, center Jason Jakstys somehow got his hands on the […]
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois basketball picked up right where it left off. After shooting 45.9% from behind the arc and showcasing their physicality on defense and on the glass, Illinois opened its 2025-26 campaign with an 113-55 thrashing over Jackson State on Monday night at State Farm Center. It marks Illinois’ 10th straight season-opening victory. […]
It’s about that time, folks: Illinois Basketball is officially back. With the new season about to begin, let me get one thing out of the way: It looks like Shauna Green might be facing a familiar problem — injuries — just like last year. However, depth and experience will be crucial for this Illini team […]
Well, here we are. A new season is upon us when Illinois takes on Jackson State on Monday night at State Farm Center. And according to college basketball insider Jon Rothstein — our favorite guy, of course — Illinois will be without at least two players for the game. Rothstein reported Saturday that Mihailo Petrovic […]
With three losses, it’s almost a guarantee that Illinois won’t be competing in its first CFP in 2025-26. But our friends at FanDuel Sportsbook still have odds for the Illini to win it all. Bret Bielema’s squad is tied for the longest odds of any team still in the running at +100000, according to FanDuel. […]
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — As the time on the hourglass dwindled, Rutgers found itself at Illinois’ one. With one second left in the game, Rutgers fancied itself some garbage time points against Illinois’ second team defense. Then, Rutgers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis lofted a ball into the end zone intended for wide receiver Ian Strong. Illinois backup […]
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — As the time on the hourglass dwindled, Rutgers found itself at Illinois’ one. With one second left in the game, Rutgers fancied itself some garbage time points against Illinois’ second team defense. Then, Rutgers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis lofted a ball into the end zone intended for wide receiver Ian Strong. Illinois backup […]
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — There is no secret it was loud following the Illini’s third loss of the season against Washington. Dropping out of the AP Top 25 poll, fans calling for coaches’ jobs and — worst of all — any hope of sneaking into the College Football Playoff suddenly gone. But that didn’t deter Bret […]
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — There is no secret it was loud following the Illini’s third loss of the season against Washington. Dropping out of the AP Top 25 poll, fans calling for coaches’ jobs and worst of all, any hope of sneaking into the college football playoff was gone. But that didn’t deter Bret Bielema’s squad […]
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. has not been afraid to pull out the trick plays all season. From a fullback toss to Hank Beatty for a touchdown against Ohio State, or the Philly Special remake against USC, Lunney Jr. shows he’s willing to think outside the box. Thinking outside the box is […]
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. has not been afraid to pull out the trick plays all season. From a fullback toss to Hank Beatty for a touchdown against Ohio State, or the Philly Special remake against USC, Lunney Jr. has not been afraid to think outside the box. Thinking outside the box […]
Take yourself back to December 2020. Josh Whitman had just dismissed Lovie Smith. Rod Smith was leading the Illini in their final game of the season. And present in the stadium was the new man in charge, Bret Bielema. It was a symbolic and literal changing of the guard in Champaign. Bielema won the gig […]
How to Watch No. 17 Illinois vs. Jackson State (Opening Night) Game Time: 7:30 p.m. Monday TV Channel: BTN Online Streaming: BTN+ Odds: N/A Quick Hits: Illinois Fighting Illini (0-0, 0-0 Big Ten) Head Coach: Brad Underwood (9th season, 165-101) Last Game: Kentucky 84, Illinois 75 (NCAAT Second Round) Gameday Reading: Jackson State Tigers (0-0, 0-0 SWAC) Head coach: Mo […]
For the first time in seven years, Illinois soccer won a Big Ten Tournament match. The Illini topped No. 8 Ohio State 1-0 in the first round of the tournament Thursday night in West Lafayette. According to the program, Illinois hadn’t won a tournament match since they beat Wisconsin in October 2018. The lone goal […]
And we’re off. Illinois women’s basketball played its only public exhibition on Thursday night as the Illini topped DII Maryville 79-60 at State Farm Center. Freshman Cearah Parchment starred for the Illini, scoring a game-high 22 points and adding 13 rebounds. Very Kendall Bostic of her. The game came just two days after head coach […]
Going into this football season, a lot of people — myself included — were looking quite fondly at the Illini defense, with seven starters returning, including the entire secondary, along with linebackers Gabe Jacas, Dylan Rosiek, and Kenenna Odeluga. Other contributors from last season, like Malachi Hood, Joe Barna, Juice Clarke, and Saboor Karriem, and […]