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The Champaign Room

https://www.thechampaignroom.com/ | 189 entries published

A Fighting Illini community since 2012

Latest Entries

Illinois’ star-studded freshmen showcased potential in exhibition

Illinois cruised to a 92-65 win over Illinois State in their exhibition game at State Farm Center on Sunday. Tomislav Ivisic, Andrej Stojakovic, and Mihailo Petrovic did not play due to injury, but the Illini freshmen stepped up in a big way. “I was very pleased with our freshmen,” said head coach Brad Underwood. Montenegrin […]

about 2 months ago | 0 reads

Illinois’ Ben Humrichous engaged to former Illini basketball star

An Illini love story. Hours after Illinois’ exhibition win over Illinois State, forward Ben Humrichous made headlines on Instagram, announcing his engagement to former Illini women’s basketball star Adalia McKenzie. “All I can say is… Praise God!!” Humrichous wrote in the post. It’s not clear to me when they started dating, but I’d be led […]

about 2 months ago | 1 read

Big Ten Basketball Season Preview Part 2: Bubble Teams

14. Nebraska Predicted Starting Lineup Kendall Blue, Senior, 12.3 ppg/4.4 rpg/2.4 apg at Saint Thomas Blue was an efficient scorer in the Summit League last year, shooting 51% from the field and 42% from three. He has some secondary creation ability, but isn’t really a natural point guard. Connor Essegian, Senior, 10.7 ppg/2.8 rpg/1.1 apg […]

about 2 months ago | 0 reads

Mirkovic and Ivisic with stellar debuts in Illinois’ exhibition win

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois’ newcomers look pretty good. International additions David Mirkovic and Zvonimir Ivisic delivered a promising performance to Illinois fans in the Illini’s 92-65 exhibition win over Illinois State on Sunday afternoon at State Farm Center. With the Illini missing three key players in Andrej Stojakovic, Mihailo Petrovic and Tomislav Ivisic, fans were […]

about 2 months ago | 0 reads

Illinois re-enters AP poll after bye week

Well, well, well. A week off from football did the Illini well in the eyes of the voters. After being dropped from No. 17 to unranked after a 34-16 loss to Ohio State, Bret Bielema’s crew found itself back in the top 25 on Sunday after a bunch of losses by teams at the bottom […]

about 2 months ago | 0 reads

FanDuel: Illinois opens as underdog at Washington

Illinois has only traveled to the west coast once since the Pac-12 schools joined the Big Ten, and we don’t need to relive that tragedy in Eugene. The Illini find themselves in Seattle next week, and the fine people at FanDuel don’t like their chances. Illinois (5-2, 2-2 Big Ten) opened on Sunday as a […]

about 2 months ago | 0 reads

How Illinois can still make the College Football Playoff

As the Fighting Illini enter the bye week at 5-2, and one win away from being bowl eligible, you can not help but think, is there really any chance the Illini have to make the College Football Playoff? Well I am here to tell you there is a path, and it is not one that […]

about 2 months ago | 0 reads

How Illinois can make the most out of its bye week

After the 34-16 loss to Ohio State, the Illini have the week off. Now, of course, they will use the time to get some players fully healthy, such as Kaden Feagin and Ca’Lil Valentine, to name a couple. but some glaring questions will have to be answered before next weekend’s trip to Seattle to take […]

about 2 months ago | 0 reads

Three Illini who can break out after the bye

We are beyond the halfway point in the 2025 college football season. The 5-2 Fighting Illini are in a prime position to have back-to-back 9+ win seasons.  There is a lot for the Illini to build on during the bye week. The offensive line has improved. Dylan Rosiek has reclaimed his excellence. Matthew Bailey and […]

about 2 months ago | 0 reads

Keaton Wagler turning heads as Illinois staff sings his praises

The newcomer could be a bigger addition than many of us expected. We’ve all heard it before, preseason hype about a player we haven’t even seen play a single second for our favorite team. The Illini especially have had no shortage of talented freshmen over the past five or so seasons. There was plenty of […]

about 2 months ago | 0 reads

How to Watch Illinois’ Exhibition vs. ISU: Game Time, TV Channel, Online Streaming and Odds

How to Watch Illinois vs. Illinois State (EXHIBITION) Game Time: 2 p.m. Sunday TV Channel: N/A Online Streaming: BTN+ Odds: You’re a sicko. 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: Illinois State Redbirds (0-0, 0-0 MVC) Head coach: Ryan Pedon […]

about 2 months ago | 0 reads

Former Illini making noise in NBA preseason

The NBA season gets underway in one week, and so far the NBA Illini are feeling very comfortable. With Kasparas Jakucionis and Will Riley being the two newest Illinois players to join the NBA, Coleman Hawkins signing an exhibit-10 contract with the Denver Nuggets, and Terrence Shannon Jr. continuing to shine for the Minnesota Timberwolves, […]

about 2 months ago | 0 reads

Illinois football is still right where it should be

On this episode of “Oskee Talk” I offer final thoughts on the Illini’s loss to #1 Ohio State, spotlight Illinois’ top performers, and explain how they can still gain ground in an unpredictable Big Ten.  I also break down the preseason rankings for men’s hoops and discuss the lack of Illini on the All-Big Ten […]

about 2 months ago | 0 reads