A Fighting Illini community since 2012
On this episode of ‘Oskee Talk’ Brandt Dolce joins me to analyze the future outlook of Illini football, including potential staff upheaval and offseason roster needs. We review this historic stretch for Illinois and what it means for program stability as well as look at possible bowl destinations. We also recap men’s basketball’s loss to […]
2 months ago | 0 reads
Illinois won’t open its Big Ten schedule until next Tuesday when they travel to Columbus for a showdown with Ohio State, but the conference officially tips off league play Tuesday night with three matchups. Iowa, Michigan State, Purdue, Rutgers, USC, and Oregon will all begin their chase for a Big Ten regular-season title. The Illini […]
2 months ago | 2 reads
In his ninth season in Champaign, Brad Underwood keeps hitting new milestones. Illinois (6-2) checked in Monday at No. 14 in the AP poll, one spot down from last week after a Black Friday loss to UCONN at Madison Square Garden. According to TCR stats expert Jonathan Koon, it’s the 80th week Illinois has been […]
2 months ago | 1 read
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — It seems like Thanksgiving was relaxing for Illinois women’s basketball, as they destroyed Le Moyne after the holiday. The Illini (6-1) defeated the Le Moyne Dolphins on Sunday, 100-28. The game on Sunday is what most consider an all-around game. The orange and blue had six players record double-digit scoring, with Berry […]
2 months ago | 0 reads
CHAMPAIGN — Mother Nature’s Champaign snowglobe grip fastened on Saturday night, shaking it with all her fury. It made snow pile up on Gies Memorial Stadium, it made the winds howl, and temperatures drop. It culminated in a less-than-picture-perfect Senior Night for the Illinois football program. If this game were to be played, nay, if […]
2 months ago | 0 reads
CHAMPAIGN — Mother Nature’s Champaign snowglobe grip fastened on Saturday night, shaking it with all her fury. It made snow pile up on Gies Memorial Stadium, it made the winds howl, and temperatures drop. It culminated in a less-than-picture-perfect Senior Night for the Illinois football program. If this game were to be played, nay, if […]
2 months ago | 2 reads
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The Battle for the Land of Lincoln trophy had a backdrop filled with the ultimate football weather. Freezing wind and a downpour of snow. It would not be an Illinois game without a little bit of late game drama, and when usually the Orange and Blue lean on their offense to be […]
2 months ago | 1 read
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The Battle for the Land of Lincoln trophy had a backdrop filled with the ultimate football weather. Freezing wind and a downpour of snow. It would not be an Illinois game without a little bit of late game drama, and when usually the Orange and Blue lean on their offense to be […]
2 months ago | 5 reads
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Leading up to Saturday night’s clash between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Northwestern Wildcats, layers and layers of snow blanketed Gies Memorial Stadium. Having ice-cold hands typically complicates things for quarterbacks and wide receivers, eliminating a pretty significant part of virtually every offense in the country. With players slipping and sliding […]
2 months ago | 2 reads
According to the Fox broadcast, with 8 inches of snow Saturday in Champaign, Illinois’ season finale against Northwestern is the snowiest game in Gies Memorial Stadium history. And TCR photographer Craig Pessman is there to capture it all. We’ll keep adding photos throughout the night here.
2 months ago | 2 reads
It’s going to snow across the midwest on Saturday, and we may get snow football in Champaign. A winter storm warning is in effect Saturday in Champaign County, and WCIA-TV is forecasting anywhere from 4 to 9 inches for the region. Illinois on Friday said it is monitoring the weather, but as of now, parking […]
2 months ago | 2 reads
On Thanksgiving Day, the Illini received a verbal pledge from (now) former USC commit Jakwon Morris. The 6-foot corner brings high end speed and the kind of feisty “stick your face in the fan” intensity that Illinois loves in its corners. Morris is currently ranked as the nation’s top JuCo corner according to 247Sports. (His […]
2 months ago | 2 reads
NEW YORK — Under the bright lights at Madison Square Garden, Illinois couldn’t buy a basket. After going cold from deep and letting a late comeback slip away, No. 13 Illinois fell 74-61 to No. 5 UCONN at Madison Square Garden in New York Friday afternoon despite another standout performance from senior guard Kylan Boswell. […]
3 months ago | 0 reads
NEW YORK — Under the bright lights at Madison Square Garden, Illinois couldn’t buy a basket. After going cold from deep and letting a late comeback slip away, No. 13 Illinois fell 74-61 to No. 5 UConn at Madison Square Garden in New York Friday afternoon despite another standout performance from senior guard Kylan Boswell. […]
3 months ago | 1 read
This Illini team has no shortage of firepower, especially offensively. That can be a blessing but also sometimes a curse. It can be very difficult setting a rotation when you have so many players that bring multiple skill sets to the table. This Illini team has no shortage of that, as you could argue 10 […]
3 months ago | 0 reads
The Illini will play their final regular-season game Saturday night against Northwestern in Champaign. Both teams will be looking to enhance their bowl resumes with a win. Illinois is 7-4, 4-4 in conference. Northwestern will also be looking to upgrade its bowl status. The Wildcats are 6-5, 4-4 in conference. The Key Players The game […]
3 months ago | 0 reads
Recruiting season never takes a break, not even for Thanksgiving. Mere hours after Brad Underwood received a verbal commitment from 2027 in-state wing Quinton Kitt, Bret Bielema secured a major addition to the 2026 football class. Jakwon Morris, a 6-foot, 175-pound defensive back from Northwest Mississippi CC, flipped his commitment from USC to Illinois on […]
3 months ago | 1 read
Brad Underwood has a lot to be thankful for on Thursday. In-state prospect Quinton Kitt committed to Illinois on Thanksgiving, according to a report from Joe Tipton. “I’m ready to work and represent my state,” Kitt told Tipton. A three-star recruit out of East Peoria H.S., Kitt is one of the top young prospects in […]
3 months ago | 1 read
How to Watch Illinois vs. Northwestern Game Time: 6:30 p.m. Saturday TV Channel: Fox Online Streaming: FoxSportsGO Odds: ILL -6.5, O/U 44.5 Quick Hits: Illinois Fighting Illini (7-4, 4-4 Big Ten) Head Coach: Bret Bielema (5th season) Last Game: Wisconsin 27, Illinois 10 Gameday Reading: Northwestern Wildcats (6-5, 4-4 Big Ten) Head coach: David Braun (3rd season) Last game: […]
3 months ago | 0 reads
After Saturday’s loss to Wisconsin, it was clear that Illinois lost the game in the trenches, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Badger defenders sacked Luke Altmyer five times and recorded six tackles for loss. On defense, the numbers weren’t as bad, but it was evident the Illini had trouble keeping a weak […]
3 months ago | 0 reads
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — This Saturday isn’t just the last game of the regular season for Illinois. It isn’t just an ordinary game against Northwestern, even if it is for the Land of Lincoln Trophy. No, this game is extra special for some Illini players because it will be the last time they get a chance […]
3 months ago | 0 reads
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — In front of a sparse Thanksgiving Eve crowd, Illinois took down Western Kentucky 70-41 Wednesday night at the State Farm Center. After the team’s biggest win of the season over Florida State on Sunday, the Illini came out sluggish to start the game. It’s hard to blame them either. A 6 p.m. tip-off […]
3 months ago | 1 read
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois football lost all the wind out of its sails at Camp Randall last Saturday. No way around it, it seemed the Illini were dominated in every facet of the 27-10 loss. But the 2025 Illinois football team is no stranger to a disapointing loss in their 7-4 campaign. Whether it was […]
3 months ago | 1 read
Brad’s got a little jokester in him. As Illinois took off Wednesday to head to MSG for a Black Friday battle with UCONN, Brad Underwood was wearing a familiar outfit… Look! It’s Bradimir Underwood! Perfect. No words. Of course, the AI meme came to life in the spring as Underwood began to build his European […]
3 months ago | 1 read
Illinois basketball will head to New York City on Friday for a marquee non-conference showdown against the UConn Huskies inside Madison Square Garden. The Illini have appeared 15 times at “The World’s Most Famous Arena,” holding a 6–9 record. Brad Underwood has made MSG a regular stop on Illinois’ schedule, bringing the Illini to The […]
3 months ago | 0 reads