The Champaign Room
A Fighting Illini community since 2012
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Two Illinois football games moved to Friday nights
It wouldn’t be an Illinois Football season without a few games under the lights on Friday night. The program announced Friday that two games will be moved to Friday nights on FOX. The first is Friday, Nov. 6 against Nebraska in Champaign. Does everyone remember what happened the last time the Illini and Huskers met […]
Former Illini Ty Rodgers commits to Boise St.
After entering the transfer portal on April 16, Ty Rodgers has found a new home, as he committed to Boise State this morning. The former Illini guard is heading to the Broncos with two seasons of eligibility remaining, as a redshirt junior. Rodgers spent the last four seasons in Champaign, but hasn’t played since 2023, […]
Where do Illini players rank ahead of NBA Draft Combine?
The NBA Draft Combine is approaching, and three Illini players were invited to participate in Chicago. The combine will run from May 10-17 at Wintrust Arena and the Marriott Marquis. Players will compete in five-on-five scrimmages, skill drills, measurements, medical examinations, and interview sessions. A total of 73 players were invited, including Illini standouts Keaton […]
Report: Date set for Illinois’ latest UConn showdown
Maybe the fourth time is the charm. Illinois will get its fourth shot in less than three years at Dan Hurley and the UConn Huskies. CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein reported Tuesday that the Illini and Huskies will face off Friday, Dec. 4 at United Center in Chicago. It’s the return game after the two teams […]
Illinois fires softball head coach Tyra Perry
Josh Whitman hasn’t had to fire many coaches in recent years because it’s been one of the most successful periods in the history of Illini athletics. However, the softball program has definitely gone downhill. And that culminated Monday with Whitman firing Tyra Perry after 11 years at the helm of the Illini. “On behalf of […]
What Illinois’ Brad Underwood shared about Stefan Vaaks signing
Officially official. Illinois announced on Friday that Stefan Vaaks has signed with the Illini. Vaaks, a native of Estonia, spent his freshman year at Providence, where he finished seventh in the Big East in points per game (15.8). Vaaks is the biggest addition in the transfer portal for Illinois this offseason, as the Illini are […]
Illinois men’s tennis heading to first Super Regionals since 2021
May Madness! Illinois men’s tennis is heading to its first NCAA Super Regionals in five years after the Illini topped No. 24 Vanderbilt on Saturday night. It was a 4-0 sweep for Brad Dancer’s team over the Commodores. The Illini opened the NCAA Tournament also with a 4-0 sweep over Yale. Illinois won the doubles […]
Terrence Shannon Jr. leads Timberwolves to series-clinching victory
WE ALWAYS KNEW TSJ WAS THIS GOOD. WHY DID NOBODY LISTEN???? I could’ve told you two years ago that Minnesota was getting a steal when it took Terrence Shannon Jr. late in the first round of the NBA Draft. And for the second year in a row, he’s showing out in the postseason. With Anthony […]
Ranking Brad Underwood’s top recruits ever at Illinois
High-level AAU circuits are underway, and Illinois commits are already making noise across the college basketball landscape. 2027 signees Quinton Kitt and Mason Martin both delivered 30-point performances while leading their teams to wins over the weekend. Kitt plays for Meanstreets on the Nike EYBL circuit and currently ranks among the top 10 in points […]
Three Illini named in latest ESPN mock draft
It’s mock season — and ESPN was out with a new draft predictions on Tuesday, before we even have a lottery order. Three Illini found themselves named in Jeremy Woo’s mock. First, there’s super freshman Keaton Wagler at No. 6 to the Memphis Grizzlies. Here’s what Woo had to say about him: Wagler led Illinois […]
Illinois women’s tennis head coach announces retirement
Josh Whitman has at least one coaching vacancy to fill this summer. Illinois women’s tennis head coach Evan Clark announced on Tuesday his retirement after 11 years leading the program. According to a release, Clark will stay on until a successor is in place. Clark has 160 overall wins and 81 Big Ten wins, both […]
How Katin Houser fits as Illinois’ QB1
This football season, the Illini will have a new face under the center in Katin Houser. The Anaheim, California native comes to Illinois by way of East Carolina via Michigan State. At 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, he has good size for a Big Ten quarterback. He is good in the pocket with a real ability […]
Recapping the destinations of Illinois’ 2026 NFL draftees
On this episode of ‘Oskee Talk’ I spotlight the Fighting Illini’s trio of NFL Draft picks — Gabe Jacas (2:49), J.C. Davis (10:05) and Miles Scott (14:47). I also revisit the numbers & break down the pro prospects of some of Illinois’ top undrafted free agents, Luke Altmyer (20:15) and Hank Beatty (32:04). Click HERE […]
Former Illini Hank Beatty signs deal with Tennessee Titans
Illinois’ old X-Factor is heading to Nashville. Wide receiver and return specialist Hank Beatty is going to get his shot in the NFL, as he signs an undrafted free agent deal with the Tennessee Titans. Beatty played four seasons at Illinois, ending his career as one of the best return men in program history. During […]
ESPN: Stojakovic declares for Draft, maintains eligibility
Less than two weeks after releasing a video proclaiming “I’m back,” Illinois’ Andrej Stojakovic is testing the NBA Draft waters. ESPN reported Sunday that the rising senior declared for the NBA Draft, but is maintaining his collegiate eligibility. Stojakovic joined a long list of Illini announcing their plans to return for the 2026-27 season, including […]
Illinois legend Ayo Dosunmu stars in historic playoff performance
It’s nothing we didn’t already know, but Illinois legend Ayo Dosunmu is a STAR. Dosunmu authored one of the great postseason performances in recent NBA history on Saturday night as his Timberwolves took a 3-1 lead over Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets. We’ve posted a ton of clips on our social media pages, so make […]
Former Illini Josh Gesky signed by Green Bay Packers
PITTSBURGH — Another offensive lineman is making the jump from Illinois to the NFL. Offensive lineman Josh Gesky is moving on to the next level, getting signed as an Undrafted Free Agent by the Green Bay Packers. Gesky joins fellow OL J.C. Davis en route to the NFL, marking the first time two Illini offensive […]
Former Illini QB Luke Altmyer signed by Detroit Lions
PITTSBURGH — Another Illini quarterback is moving on to the NFL. Luke Altmyer has officially been signed by the Detroit Lions, looking to compete for a spot on the roster. The Starkville, Mississippi-native will be joining a QB room comprised of Jared Goff and Teddy Bridgewater, and will likely look to make a name for […]
Former Illini J.C. Davis drafted by New York Giants
PITTSBURGH — From community college to the NFL. Left tackle J.C. Davis has been drafted at pick No. 192 by the New York Giants, making him the second former Illini off the board in the 2026 NFL Draft. The lineman will go from protecting quarterback Luke Altmyer during his time at Illinois to protecting Jaxson […]
Former Illini Gabe Jacas drafted by the New England Patriots in second round
PITTSBURGH — The first Illini is off the board in the 2026 NFL Draft. Former Illini edge rusher Gabe Jacas is officially on the move, getting drafted by the New England Patriots with pick No. 55 in the second round of the NFL Draft. After hearing his name called on Friday, Jacas is now headed […]
Brad Underwood pays special visit to Ayo Dosunmu in NBA playoffs
Brad Underwood is hitting the road this week with two of his staffers. But it’s not a recruiting trip. Illinois’ head coach visited Minnesota on Thursday ahead of Game 3 of the NBA playoffs between the Timberwolves and Nuggets. Underwood posted a photo of him with former Illini star Ayo Dosunmu and two Illini staffers […]
Why Illinois doesn’t need a “point guard”
Nominal positions are worthless in the era of positionless basketball. The Brad Underwood era has aligned perfectly with the rise of social media sports discourse. In other words, the Brad Underwood era has aligned with the volume elevation of the dumbest corners of sports fandom. It’s unfortunate because the Underwood era has been largely a […]
Is Illinois a preseason Top-5 team?
The transfer portal officially closed last night, and the Illini’s roster for the 2026-27 season is mostly set. In what has been a noisy and uncertain month across college basketball, Illinois had one of the quietest Aprils of any program in the sport. The Illini had just four players enter the transfer portal and will […]
The Illini culture is different, but the standard is not
When Ty Rodgers entered the transfer portal, it marked the end of a significant era in Champaign. Rodgers and senior AJ Redd were the ultimate guardians of Illinois culture. They were (along with Jake Davis and Jason Jakstys) the last holdovers of the Chester Frazier/Tim Anderson time at Brad Underwood’s side. That was the rugged […]
Report: Brandon Lee enters transfer portal
Illinois’ Brandon Lee is entering the transfer portal and is now searching for a new home for his sophomore campaign, according to On3. Lee, a former four-star recruit, played in 17 games this past season and averaged 4.2 minutes per game as a Freshman. While he didn’t see much action, his departure more than likely […]
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