The Champaign Room
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How Brad Underwood’s winning culture formula has led to a Final Four run
INDIANAPOLIS – The Illini have finally reached a high that fans have been starving for since 2005. Under the bright lights at Lucas Oil Stadium, Illinois prepares for the moment that the entire season has led up to: the Final Four. “There’s a reason that we got here, and you don’t wanna get here and […]
The 2025-26 Illini are raising a golden middle finger
When the 2025-26 season kicked off, I made two predictions on the Oskee Talk Podcast. It’s easy to remember the losses. The gag at Breslin, the choke job at Pauley, and letting an Illini-lite, diet Illinois Wisconsin squad get two wins were all perplexing defeats. It was as if Jeremy Fears had cloned himself and […]
Editorial: 2026 Illini deserve better than dummy punditry
Sometimes, the most intense rhetorical battles you fight are the ones you fight at home. Before I dive into this screed against the commentariat segment that inspired it, let’s be clear: I am not declaring a fatwa on a generation of sports thinkers. I’m here to empty multiple clips into a speculative school of thought […]
Re-visiting Illinois’ unlikely journey to the Final Four
On this ‘Oskee Talk’ extra, I remind Illini fans to embrace the moment (3:17). I revisit Illinois’ path to Indianapolis (4:22) and spotlight the Illini’s standout March Madness performers (11:03). I also look back at UConn’s road to the Final Four (15:42), including their unlikely Elite Eight victory versus Duke (17:32). I recap the season’s […]
Illinois’ coaching staff deserves credit for a historic season
Before the season began, I wrote about how this could be a potential make it or break it year for Brad Underwood. Not necessarily for his job security, but more so for the fanbase. Much of Illini nation began to grow impatient after multiple early tournament exits, especially considering the level of talent those teams […]
Illinois’ massive shift since UConn loss at Madison Square Garden
INDIANAPOLIS — A key factor in the recruiting process for Illinois head coach Brad Underwood is whether a player can pass the “personality test.” “I hope I’m not known for wins and losses,” Underwood said. “I hope I’m known for impacting people’s lives and creating memories.” In making that impact, Underwood instilled a level of […]
Illinois baseball loses midweek contest at Illinois State
After locking down two Big Ten wins at Penn State, the Illini made their way up to Illinois State for their midweek matchup. The odds were in favor of Illinois walking away with a victory, but instead the night ended with a 4-1 upset for the Redbirds, leaving the Fighting Illini with a 14-13 record. […]
Davis, Humrichous return home as crucial role players on Final Four team
Amidst the hype of the beloved “Balkan Five”, Kylan Boswell’s special senior season in his hometown, and Keaton Wagler’s rapid rise to stardom, Jake Davis and Ben Humrichous have been the unsung heroes of Illinois’ historic season. Davis and Humrichous are two of Illinois’ eight rotational players, combining to play 42.1 minutes per game for […]
Illinois announces Final Four fan events in Indy
It’s going to be a big weekend for the Orange and Blue in Indy, and Illinois is hoping fans will partake in events all around the city leading up to the Final Four. In a press release Wednesday night, the Illini’s free Final Four open practice will be at 11 a.m. ET on Friday. Doors […]
Illini fans, it’s time to paint Indy orange
If I may speak for all of Illini Nation, we’re still on Cloud 9 after Saturday’s Elite 8 win against Iowa. It’s all we have been thinking about, making it hard to get any type of productive work done. Brad Underwood said it best in an interview with Jon Rothstein: “I went to bed, and […]
Everything you need to know about Illinois’ Andrej Stojaković
Andrej Stojakovic was the golden goose of Illinois’ 2025-26 transfer class. The big-name transfer was expected to be the Illini’s superstar for Brad Underwood’s new-look team. It appeared he was going to play a Terrence Shannon Jr.-like role as a slasher and go-to guy when you need someone to create their own shot. For the […]
The Final Four silences the Brad Underwood doubters
Illinois clinched its spot in Indianapolis on Saturday night, defeating Iowa 71-59 in Houston. This marks the program’s first Final Four appearance since 2005 and the first of Brad Underwood’s career. Is it FINALLY time to put the “Fire Brad” statements to rest? Despite consistent success, some fans still wanted more NCAA Tournament success from […]
UConn Scouting Report: What to know and how Illinois can win
In the afterglow of super soakers, cowboy hats, and Kylan Boswell teaching David Mirkovic how to cut down a net, the conquering Illini are back in Champaign and preparing for a revenge game against UConn. On Sunday, I was already thinking about what to write about how Illinois can poke holes in Duke’s long, fierce […]
‘Go win two more games one more time’: Illinois basketball is approaching history
On this episode of Oskee Talk, TCR’s Brandt Dolce checks in following Illinois’ thrilling run to the Final Four (2:59). We discuss how the narrative surrounding Illini basketball has been forever changed (9:07) and Illinois’ defensive turnaround (21:58). We also compliment Iowa’s March Madness run (31:43), examine how the Illini’s narrow regular-season losses may have […]
Bielema: ‘So pumped’ for Illini’s Final Four run
Illinois basketball’s first appearance in the Final Four in 21 years… has Illinois’ football coach hyped. “So pumped for Coach Underwood and his staff, and the players and the fans,” said football head coach Bret Bielema on Monday. “Hopefully take care of business on Saturday night and Monday as well.” Bielema said he and his […]
Why (and why not) Illinois could win the national championship in 2026
For the first time in 21 years, Illinois has made it to the promised land: the Final Four. And it’s not just any Final Four — it’s the Final Four in Indianapolis. And it’s not just the Final Four in Indianapolis — Michigan will be there too. As will our friends from 2005 in Arizona, […]
Three keys for Illinois to beat Connecticut and advance to title game
Well, well, well. We meet again. Two years after one of the most soul-crushing losses in recent Illini memory — and just four months after a Black Friday crumbling at Madison Square Garden — Illinois will get another shot at Dan Hurley’s UCONN Huskies. And, if the third time’s the charm, Illinois will advance to […]
Opening odds for Illinois’ Final Four showdown with UCONN — and how to watch
How to Watch No. 3 Illinois vs. No. 2 UCONN (NCAA Tournament Final Four) Game Time: 5:09 p.m. Saturday TV Channel: TBS/TruTV Online Streaming: HBO Max Odds: Illinois -2.5, O/U 139.5 (FanDuel Sportsbook) Quick Hits: Illinois Fighting Illini (28-8, 15-5 Big Ten) Head Coach: Brad Underwood (9th season) Last Game: Illinois 71, Iowa 59 (Elite Eight) UCONN Huskies […]
Illinois’ second-half shift overwhelms No. 9 Iowa to advance to Final Four
HOUSTON — Forget the narratives, forget the drought. Brad Underwood’s Fighting Illini just kicked the door down and cemented their names in Orange and Blue history. “It’s not just me,” said Illinois head coach Brad Underwood. “It’s so many people that’ve helped along the way.” On a historic Saturday afternoon at the Toyota Center, No. […]
The day has come
Monday, March 20, 2017. I was on spring break during my sophomore year at the University of Illinois. No big vacations planned that year with my parents. Second-year athletic director Josh Whitman fired John Groce the prior week, but Illinois is still competing in the NIT under the leadership of Jamall Walker. Illinois is set […]
Incredible scene outside Alma Mater after Illinois punches Final Four ticket
It’s beautiful. Hoards of people took to Green Street and Alma Mater Saturday night after Illinois punched its first ticket to the Final Four in 21 years. In a video posted by the University, you can hear the loud chants of “Final Four.” And the images on the ground show a crazy scene on Green […]
Keaton Wagler named South Region’s Most Outstanding Player
Who else would it be? Keaton Wagler was named the South Region’s Most Outstanding Player after Illinois’ 71-59 win over Iowa in the Elite Eight on Saturday in Houston. In four NCAA Tournament games, the star freshman from Kansas averaged 17.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists. And somehow his three-point percentage was 44%??? Doesn’t […]
All of the celebrations from Illinois’ Elite Eight win
Nothing better than a water gun celebration after a win. Especially when that win sends the Illini to their first Final Four in 21 years. Here’s a look at the best locker room celebration shots from Illinois’ 71-59 win over Iowa in the Elite Eight on Saturday in Houston.
Illinois really did it. The Illini are Final Four bound.
One more win against a Big Ten team. More specifically, one more win against a Big Ten team they already defeated this season. That was the barrier between the Fighting Illini and their first trip to the Final Four since two months into the second term of the 43rd POTUS. The draw fell ideally in […]
Illinois advances to first Final Four since 2005
HOUSTON — Indy, here we come. For the first time since the legendary Fighting Illini team of 2004-05, Illinois is heading to the NCAA Tournament’s Final Four. Illinois punched its ticket to Indianapolis with a 71-59 win over Big Ten rival No. 9 Iowa in the South Region Final on Saturday night in Houston. The […]
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