A Fighting Illini community since 2012
In this episode of ‘Oskee Talk’ I highlight the standouts from the opening of track & field season (4:25), recap men’s basketball’s wins over Washington (7:17) and Nebraska (10:47), examine Keaton Wagler’s epic three-game stretch (20:46) and break down Illinois’ best start in 20 years (25:04). I also review the Big Ten race and discuss […]
about 1 month ago | 6 reads
Another week, another top-five road win, another chapter in the lore of the kid from Shawnee, Kansas. After handling Washington at home without too much fanfare, Illinois went to Nebraska and “Robbed the Bank”. Personally, if I were Brad Underwood, I would have used “Assassinate Lincoln” as my punny motivational catch phrase, but to each […]
about 1 month ago | 3 reads
Brad Underwood has had very good offensive teams throughout his time as a Division I basketball coach, but the 2025–26 Illini are his best yet. Illinois is currently averaging 84.6 points per game and is ranked No. 1 in adjusted offensive efficiency at KenPom and Bart Torvik. This year’s Illini team is not just the […]
about 1 month ago | 3 reads
Keaton Wagler is going to set some records this season. The superstar freshman earned his fifth Big Ten Freshman of the Week award on Monday as the Illini rose to No. 5 in the AP poll after topping Nebraska one day earlier. Wagler averaged 25 points, 6.5 assists and 5 boards in two wins last […]
about 1 month ago | 4 reads
Can’t stop, won’t stop. Illinois — on an 11-game winning streak — keeps moving up the AP Top 25, checking in on Monday at No. 5. The Illini were No. 9 last week when they topped Washington and No. 5 Nebraska. Brad Underwood’s bunch is now the second-highest Big Ten team in the polls behind […]
about 2 months ago | 5 reads
How to Watch Illinois vs. Northwestern Game Time: 8 p.m. Wednesday TV Channel: BTN Online Streaming: FoxSportsGO Odds: N/A (Illinois 90.9% Chance To Win – ESPN Matchup Predictor) Quick Hits: Illinois Fighting Illini (19-3, 10-1 Big Ten) Head Coach: Brad Underwood (9th season) Last Game: Illinois 78, Nebraska 69 Gameday Reading: Northwestern Wildcats (10-12, 2-9 Big Ten) Head Coach: […]
about 2 months ago | 6 reads
SEATTLE — Illinois finally breaks through on the road. After weeks of narrow misses and ranked heartbreaks on the road, Illinois delivered its most complete performance of the season Sunday evening, knocking off No. 25 Washington 75-66 at Alaska Airlines Arena. The Illini controlled the paint, won the rebounding battle and leaned on a freshman […]
about 2 months ago | 7 reads
LINCOLN, Neb. — Revenge! In a crucial conference matchup with potential Big Ten title implications, it was the visiting Illini that came out on top over the gritty Huskers. With the win, Illinois moves into a tie for first place in the Big Ten. For the first time in program history Illinois has beaten top-5 […]
about 2 months ago | 5 reads
Another top-5 road win for the Illini. I can get used to this. Here’s some of the best reactions to Illinois’ big win Sunday afternoon in Lincoln. Next up: Northwestern on Wednesday.
about 2 months ago | 3 reads
Significant developments this weekend on Illinois’ coaching staff. First, special teams coordinator Robby Discher was reported to be heading to Ohio State. And then on Sunday, CBS Sports reported that defensive coordinator Aaron Henry is expected to head to South Bend and join Marcus Freeman’s staff at Notre Dame. Matt Zenitz reports Henry will be […]
about 2 months ago | 7 reads
Illinois special teams coordinator Robby Discher is reportedly heading to Columbus. CBS Sports reported Saturday that Discher will take over the same position for Ryan Day’s staff at Ohio State. Discher’s career has taken him to Tulane, Georgia and Louisiana before Illinois, where he arrived in 2023. Over the last two seasons, Illinois’ special teams […]
about 2 months ago | 7 reads
With roughly two-thirds of the season in the books, Illinois basketball finds itself in rare air. At 18=3, this is the program’s best start since the 2005-06 team, and that record alone demands instant respect from the field and the designation of a title-contender. More importantly, this roster looks like the finished product Brad Underwood […]
about 2 months ago | 6 reads
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — After a disappointing home loss to Nebraska in mid-December, Illinois needed to switch some things up. The Illini had lost three of their last seven games and it felt as if things could go off the rails if not for a sudden mentality switch. “The Nebraska loss started it all,” said Illinois […]
about 2 months ago | 8 reads
How to Watch No. 9 Illinois at No. 5 Nebraska Game Time: 3 p.m. Sunday TV Channel: FS1 Online Streaming: FoxSportsGO Odds: N/A (Illinois 46.4% Chance To Win – ESPN Matchup Predictor) Quick Hits: No. 9 Illinois Fighting Illini (18-3, 9-1 Big Ten) Head Coach: Brad Underwood (9th season) Last Game: Illinois 75, Washington 66 Gameday Reading: No. 5 […]
about 2 months ago | 3 reads
CHAMPAIGN, ll. — Illinois head coach Brad Underwood admitted the team had an emotional letdown on Thursday night against Washington. “We came out flat,” He said. Perhaps a predictable product took the floor on Thursday night after a thrilling and historic Purdue upset at Mackey Arena last weekend. Because of it, Illinois freshman sensation Keaton […]
about 2 months ago | 4 reads
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Even in a loss, Illinois’ freshmen are making headlines. Illinois fell 80-67 to No. 2 UCLA on Wednesday night at State Farm Center, but freshman Cearah Parchment continued her recent strong play with another standout performance. Parchment led all scorers with 26 points on 10-of-13 shooting and grabbed seven rebounds, building on […]
about 2 months ago | 5 reads
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Too big of a hole against one of the two best teams in the country. Despite a valiant effort in the third quarter on Wednesday night at State Farm Center, Illinois didn’t have enough to gather one of the biggest upsets in program history, as the Illini fell to Lauren Betts and […]
about 2 months ago | 6 reads
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The Illini are riding the longest winning streak since head coach Brad Underwood was appointed in 2017, and are searching for their 10th straight win Thursday night at State Farm Center against Washington. But how did they get here? Well, it’s fair to say that Underwood’s son, offensive coordinator Tyler Underwood, has […]
about 2 months ago | 6 reads
Illinois pulled off a huge upset of the Purdue Boilermakers in West Lafayette, 88-82, on Saturday. With the win, the Illini have established themselves as a relevant factor in the Big Ten race. The win demonstrated the next-man-up attitude. Against Maryland, it was Andrej Stojakovic who put up his best game of the year. Saturday, […]
about 2 months ago | 5 reads
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The UCLA Bruins are currently ranked No. 2 in the AP Poll and are coming into State Farm Center on Wednesday looking for their 14th straight win. Illinois head coach Shauna Green knows that this will be a tricky matchup for the Illini, but she isn’t counting her team out just yet. […]
about 2 months ago | 7 reads
The Big Ten released its schedule on Tuesday. The Illini received a favorable draw. Let’s have some fun with a way-too-early preview of the 2026 Illini football schedule. Non-Conference University of Alabama-Birmingham – September 5 Nick Saban disciple Alex Mortensen currently helms UAB. The former offensive coordinator has a sterling track record of producing high-powered […]
about 2 months ago | 5 reads
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — After tonight’s Big Ten Football schedule release, the Illini’s 2026 schedule has officially been set. To kick off the season, there will be three straight non-conference games at Gies Memorial Stadium, with Big Ten games beginning in week four. Illinois’ 2026 season will look like this: SEPT. 5 – v.s. UAB For the […]
about 2 months ago | 5 reads
The Big Ten is nearly halfway through the season, and it’s time to highlight some of the league’s top performers so far. The conference is as strong as it’s been in years, with five teams currently ranked inside the Top 12 of the latest AP Top 25 Poll. Nebraska, Michigan, Illinois, Michigan State, and Purdue […]
about 2 months ago | 7 reads
On this episode of ‘Oskee Talk’ I’m joined by TCR’s Robby Nardini & Brandt Dolce to discuss Illinois’ red-hot three-point shooting and revisit Keaton Wagler’s legendary performance at Purdue. We also break down the Fighting Illini’s historic offensive output and look ahead to a pivotal week in the Big Ten race. We also examine why […]
about 2 months ago | 4 reads
If everyone didn’t know the name Keaton Wagler before, they know it now. The Illinois freshman earned a host of national and Big Ten honors after his record-setting 46-point outburst in the Illini’s upset over then-No. 4 Purdue. Wagler was named National Player of the Week by Naismith Trophy, Lute Olson Award, Field of 68, […]
about 2 months ago | 9 reads