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While Keaton Wagler was getting all the praise and attention in the preseason (and he had a strong showing himself in his Orange and Blue debut), we’re a couple games into the 2025-26 season, and David Mirkovic has the Illini fanbase, as well as the national media, absolutely buzzing. Against the Jackson State Tigers and […]
about 1 month ago | 0 reads
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — With Illinois sitting firm at 6-3, bowl eligible for the second year in a row and controlling their own destiny for the remainder of the 2025 season, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema can not help but preparing for the future. During the second bye week of the season, Bielema has pushed the […]
about 1 month ago | 0 reads
During their bye week, Illinois football is sending its coaches (including the head ball coach) on the trail. They have been recruiting offensive line talent from the JuCo ranks and are reportedly looking to flip late prep finds from their current commitments. Over recent weeks, multiple JuCo prospects have been offered/visited. The focus on offensive […]
about 1 month ago | 0 reads
CHAMPAIGN — State Farm Center, during these kinds of games, given the expectations for a No. 17 Illinois program, tends to be in a less-than-full-capacity formation and temper. But on Friday night’s beatdown of Florida Gulf Coast, 113-70, it was the blocks by Zvonimir Ivisic, frenetic flashes from freshman Keaton Wagler, and the occasional energizing […]
about 1 month ago | 0 reads
CHAMPAIGN — State Farm Center, during these kinds of games, given the expectations for a No. 17 Illinois program, tends to be in a less-than-full-capacity formation and temper. But on Friday night’s 113-70 beatdown of Florida Gulf Coast at State Farm Center, it was the blocks by Zvonimir Ivisic, frenetic flashes from freshman Keaton Wagler, […]
about 1 month ago | 0 reads
Illinois center Tomislav Ivisic has been ruled out with a knee injury for tonight’s game against Florida Gulf Coast. Ivisic suffered the knee injury in Wednesday’s practice and has been unavailable since. The star junior scored 21 points on 9-for-12 shooting and added 4 rebounds in the team’s win over Jackson State on Monday night. […]
about 1 month ago | 0 reads
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Brad Underwood met with local media ahead of Illinois’ home game against Florida Gulf Coast University on Friday night. The health of several key players, including Andrej Stojakovic, Mihailo Petrovic, and Brandon Lee, was touched upon briefly by the Illini head coach. Stojakovic will be a game-time decision in Friday’s contest, while […]
about 1 month ago | 0 reads
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 […]
about 1 month ago | 0 reads
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 […]
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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 […]
about 1 month ago | 0 reads
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 […]
about 1 month ago | 0 reads
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 […]
about 1 month ago | 0 reads
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 […]
about 1 month ago | 0 reads
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 […]
about 1 month ago | 0 reads
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 […]
about 1 month ago | 0 reads
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 […]
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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 […]
about 1 month ago | 1 read
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. […]
about 1 month ago | 0 reads
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 […]
about 1 month ago | 0 reads
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 […]
about 1 month ago | 0 reads
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. […]
about 1 month ago | 0 reads
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 […]
about 1 month ago | 0 reads
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 […]
about 1 month ago | 0 reads
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 […]
about 1 month ago | 0 reads
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 […]
about 1 month ago | 0 reads