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CHAMPAIGN — Andrej Stojaković couldn’t help but grin at the podium when teammate Kylan Boswell recalled his role in Stojaković‘s recruitment over the summer. When Boswell found out head coach Brad Underwood and the rest of the Illinois staff were interested in pursuing him in the portal, he immediately started “harassing” him. “That’s not even […]
3 months ago | 0 reads
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois narrowly passed its first major test of the season Tuesday night, outlasting No. 11 Texas Tech in a back-and-forth 81-77 battle at State Farm Center that marked the first-ever meeting between the two programs. Tuesday night’s matchup at State Farm Center in Champaign marked the Illini’s first true test of the […]
3 months ago | 0 reads
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois narrowly passed its first major test of the season Tuesday night, outlasting No. 11 Texas Tech in a back-and-forth battle at State Farm Center that marked the first-ever meeting between the two programs. Tuesday night’s matchup at State Farm Center in Champaign marked the Illini’s first true test of the 2025-26 […]
3 months ago | 0 reads
On this episode of “Oskee Talk” I look back on men’s basketball’s blowout win over Florida Gulf Coast (3:30), including impressive starts from freshmen David Mirkovic and Keaton Wagler (10:37) as well as Zvonimir Ivisic claiming a spot in Illini history (16:52). I also preview the matchup with #11 Texas Tech (21:06), examine the value […]
3 months ago | 0 reads
Illinois will host Texas Tech on Tuesday night for one of the most highly anticipated non-conference games of the season. Both teams remain undefeated and will look to secure a massive win in the second week of play. The matchup to watch Tuesday night will be at the guard position, as Illinois guard Kylan Boswell […]
3 months ago | 0 reads
Tomi won’t be available again when Illinois has its first ranked matchup of the season on Tuesday night against Texas Tech. Head coach Brad Underwood announced Monday that Ivisic will miss his second straight game since suffering a knee injury last week in practice. Underwood, however, didn’t rule out Mihailo Petrovic making his college debut […]
3 months ago | 0 reads
Illinois’ David Mirkovic has been named the inaugural Big Ten Freshman of the Week for the 2025-26 college basketball season. Mirkovic averaged 18.0 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game in his first two collegiate outings. He shot 57% from the field and 91% from the charity stripe. The star freshman recorded a double-double […]
3 months ago | 0 reads
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — In an in-state rivalry matinee where Illinois State hoped to pull off an upset, Illinois was just too much. Despite the Redbirds sticking around for more than three quarters Sunday afternoon at State Farm Center, the Illini knocked off ISU, 75-65. The game was close throughout, especially late into the second half […]
3 months ago | 0 reads
How to Watch Illinois vs. Texas Tech Game Time: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday TV Channel: FS1 Online Streaming: FoxSportsGO Odds: N/A (Illinois 68.7% Chance To Win – ESPN Matchup Predictor) Quick Hits: Illinois Fighting Illini (2-0, 0-0 Big Ten) Head Coach: Brad Underwood (9th season, 167-101) Last Game: Illinois 113, FGCU 70 Gameday Reading: Texas Tech Red Raiders (2-0, 0-0 Big […]
3 months ago | 0 reads
Illinois beat Rutgers by a million, and then Rutgers beat Maryland by a million, so by the transitive property, Illinois will beat Maryland by a billion. At least that’s what FanDuel Sportsbook is saying on Sunday in the opening line for next Saturday’s game (2:30 p.m. on FS1). FanDuel lists the Illini as a 14.5-point […]
3 months ago | 0 reads
Let’s go, One! Illinois great Isaiah Williams returned a punt for a touchdown Sunday afternoon for the Jets. It was the lowly Jets’ second special teams TD of the first quarter against the Browns after they had a 99-yard kickoff return score earlier in the quarter. Williams started his NFL career last year with the […]
3 months ago | 2 reads
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 […]
3 months 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 […]
3 months 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 […]
3 months 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 […]
3 months 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, […]
3 months ago | 1 read
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. […]
3 months ago | 1 read
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 […]
3 months 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 […]
3 months 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 […]
3 months ago | 0 reads
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 […]
3 months 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 […]
3 months 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 […]
3 months 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 […]
3 months 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 […]
3 months ago | 0 reads