The Champaign Room
A Fighting Illini community since 2012
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Top three highest-earning Illini in the NBA
Just last week, former Illinois defensive back Devon Witherspoon inked a four-year, $132 million extension, making him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history. Witherspoon has come a long way from representing the Orange and Blue at Memorial Stadium, and is obviously cashing in the big bucks at the next level. But he’s not the only […]
TCR Daily Brief: Wednesday, Aug. 19
Good morning, Illini fans! Halfway through the week and closer to football! Here’s what you need to know today: 🏈 Ca’Lil Valentine lands on major award watch list Illinois running back Ca’Lil Valentine was named to the preseason watch list for the Doak Walker Award, given annually to the nation’s top running back. Valentine enters […]
Illini trio represents Brazil, Canada on international stage
Three members of Illinois women’s basketball are representing their countries in Guadalajara, Mexico, as Aaliyah Guyton, Lety Vasconcelos and Cearah Parchment compete in the FIBA Women’s Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament. Guyton and Vasconcelos are representing Brazil, while Parchment is suiting up for Canada as the three Illini compete for an opportunity to move their respective countries […]
Why the NBA should bring a game to State Farm Center
The NBA released its 2026-27 schedule, and multiple games will be played inside college arenas. Three games are scheduled to take place on college campuses, bringing NBA basketball to new cities and unique venues. The Utah Jazz and Denver Nuggets will play at Colorado’s CU Events Center, the Minnesota Timberwolves and Indiana Pacers will play […]
TCR Daily Brief: Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026
Good morning, Illini fans. We’re officially in the final two-week stretch before Illinois football returns, and Monday brought plenty of news from Champaign. Here are the things that matter this morning. 🏈 The Big Story: Illinois has something to prove The Illini were left out of the AP Top 25 preseason poll Monday, receiving nine […]
‘What worked last year doesn’t work this year’: A new era begins in Champaign
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — We are less than three weeks away from opening kickoff, and things are starting to get real in Champaign. The feeling going into September is night and day compared to last season. To open up 2025, you had a proven quarterback in Luke Altmyer, as well as Aaron Henry running the defense. […]
Illinois finds itself outside of AP Top 25 preseason poll
The Associated Press have officially released their Top 25 preseason poll for the 2026 season, and the Illini just missed the cut. Illinois is coming off of a solid 9-4 season which was capped off with its second straight bowl game victory. Illinois, however, did secure nine total votes, unofficially ranking it No. 33. This […]
Mirkovic ranked top power forward in college basketball
The hype train keeps on chugging. David Mirkovic was recently ranked as the best power forward in the nation by Kevin Sweeney of Sports Illustrated. The sophomore beat out players like JT Toppin and Alex Condon for the number one spot. In the article, Sweeney says Mirkovic has a unique skill set on offense. He […]
‘He’s the kind of guy that can break a game open’: Xavier Scott’s return will energize Illinois’ secondary
In this episode of Oskee Talk I’m joined by TCR’s Pleas Honeywood to preview the Fighting Illini defensive backs: Click below to listen! Join the conversation! Comment below and make sure to subscribe to Oskee Talk wherever you find your podcasts!
TCR Daily Brief: Monday, Aug. 17, 2026
Good morning, Illini fans. We’re officially in the final stretch before Illinois football returns, and the national conversation around the Big Ten is starting to take shape. Here are the things that matter this morning. 🏈 The Big Story: Where does Illinois fit in the Big Ten? The national preseason predictions are starting to roll […]
Illinois’ path this season to a College Football Playoff berth
After two years of flirting, does the College Football Playoff court Illinois football in 2026? Some may call this a best-case scenario; some may call it a pipe dream. But call it highly possible! Given the history of the CFP, 10 wins is the line of demarcation. In the past couple of years of the […]
TCR Daily Brief: Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026
Good morning, Illini fans. Football camp is in full swing, volleyball gets underway today, and basketball recruiting is giving Illinois fans plenty to watch. Here are the things that matter this morning. 🏈 THE BIG STORY: WITHERSPOON CASHES IN Former Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon is now the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history after agreeing to a $132 million extension […]
ESPN: Witherspoon signs record $132 million extension with Seahawks
According to ESPN, former Illinois star Devon Witherspoon and the Seattle Seahawks have agreed to a four-year, $132 million contract extension with more than $101 million guaranteed. The deal averages $33 million per season and makes Witherspoon the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history. The massive extension comes after Witherspoon established himself as one of Seattle’s […]
Diving in to Illinois Football’s new 3-3-5 defense
Illini Isaac is joined by Ethan Pavey of The Champaign Room to take a deeper look into Bobby Hauck’s new defense that he is bringing to Illinois Football. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4IuCi6W8XzJ8Cl3FgAeMll?si=8L4Su6PSSoCa9Z4PNVllgA 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 […]
Former Illini Skyy Clark transfers to LSU
Skyy Clark, former Illini point guard, announced recently that he’d be transferring to play for the LSU Tigers and head coach Will Wade. Clark began his college career at Illinois, starting 12 games and averaging seven points, before taking an early step away from the team due to personal reasons in January of 2023. The […]
Deon Thomas on why Brad Underwood has thrived in new era of college basketball
Deon Thomas shares his thoughts on why Brad Underwood has been so successful in the ever-changing landscape of college basketball. 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 all-natural dog treats to Illini dogs and […]
Altmyer comes up short in NFL preseason debut
Former Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer and the Detroit Lions were on the losing side of their NFL preseason road opener against the Cincinnati Bengals. After getting picked up as an undrafted free agent (UDFA) back in May, it looked as though Altmyer’s playing time would be limited since the Lions already had two veteran QB’s […]
Illinois unveils the largest video board in college football
Illini fans are in for a treat this season. The new video board at Gies Memorial Stadium is updated and larger than ever. The board, built and installed by Daktronics, measures 70 feet by 250 feet, totaling over 17 thousand square feet and making it the largest in college football. The second largest at Auburn, […]
Deon Thomas joins the show! | The Champaign Room Podcast
Deon Thomas joins Illini Isaac and Ethan Pavey of The Champaign Room to give his thoughts on Brad Underwood’s success, his favorite Illini memories as a player, and the future of Illinois Athletics. Apple: Spotify: 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 […]
Illinois stars abundant in latest mock NBA Draft
Brad Underwood has turned Illinois into an NBA factory. With five draft picks since 2021, Bleacher Report’s latest mock draft has the Illini nearly doubling that total in one draft. The first Illini projected to come off the board is Quentin Coleman at Nol 17. The freshman guard will have all the opportunity in the […]
Illinois locks in official visit from in-state 5-star Brady Pettigrew
The world of college basketball is changing rapidly in the portal era, but that doesn’t mean high school prep recruiting has stopped. One of the top prospects in the country, five-star combo guard Brady Pettigrew, will take an official visit to Champaign on Oct. 2. The 6-foot-3, 185-pound guard from Bolingbrook saw his recruitment explode […]
Illinois soccer is ready to kick off 2026 season
The Illini are back on the pitch. Following a season in which the team went 13-6-2 and made the NCAA tournament, Illinois finds itself with something it has not had in some time: Expectations. Head coach Katie Hultin has quickly instilled a winning culture back into the program, and this season will look to continue […]
Throwback Thursday: Paddock’s magic vs. Indiana
For Throwback Thursday, I had Illinois vs. Indiana in 2023 in my mind. On Nov. 11, 2023, the Illini and the Hoosiers clashed in Champaign in a classic shootout. Without starting quarterback Luke Altmeyer, the Illini were in for a rough game. However, a combined 12 touchdowns for 93 points saw Illinois’ fill in quarterback […]
The most overlooked duo in college basketball plays in Champaign
The only thing better than a 7-foot Ivisic brother? Having two of them. The Illini are now reaping the benefits. On April 15, with a Bud Light in hand, Tomislav Ivisic announced his return to the Illini. It didn’t take much time for his teammate, and twin, Zvonimir to make the same announcement. A team […]
Former Illinois stars set for big NBA season as schedule release nears
The NBA released its opening-week and Christmas Day schedules on Tuesday and will announce the full schedule on Thursday. The season will officially begin on Tuesday, October. 22, with three high-level games. Brad Underwood has helped increase the presence of Illini in the NBA, with Illinois producing a first-round pick every year since 2024. Ayo […]
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