The Champaign Room
A Fighting Illini community since 2012
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Midseason addition Toni Bilic won’t play for Illinois this season
Midseason reinforcements are here. Illinois officially announced Tuesday night that Toni Bilic is joining the Illini effective immediately, but he will not play in any games. The 6-foot-8 inch, 210-pound forward/wing from Croatia will participate in practice and “focus on strength training and development,” the program announced in a statement. “Toni is a multi-positional, skilled […]
‘An unprecedented world’: Bielema on navigating transfer portal
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — It is an unprecedented time in college football. The college football transfer portal opens up Jan. 2, meaning coaches have to prepare for their biggest games of the season, work on keeping their current players in their building and all while looking at new players to bring onto campus. For Illinois head […]
Illinois in Music City Bowl: Who to watch
On Dec. 30, the Illinois Fighting Illini will face the Tennessee Volunteers at Nissan Stadium in Nashville in the Music City Bowl. In the preseason both were thought to compete for the College Football Playoff. Both teams are 8-4 overall. The Illini were 5-4 in the Big Ten, and the Vols were 4-4 in the […]
Illinois in Music City Bowl: Who’s In and Who’s Out
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The stage has been set for the Illini’s matchup against the Tennessee Volunteers in this year’s Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl, but up until this weekend, uncertainties remained. Questions had been hovering across message boards and social media alike over who would be suiting up and who would be sitting out for […]
The one defensive stat Illinois basketball must fix
On this episode of “Oskee Talk” Brandt Dolce joins me to recap men’s basketball’s performances against Ohio State (8:56) and Nebraska (12:12), examine Illinois’ most concerning defensive stat (19:50), and discuss Illini fan overreactions (28:21). We scrutinize Brad Underwood’s stubbornness (30:58) and more officiating nonsense (38:29) before previewing next week’s matchup with Mizzou (50:09). We […]
Illinois’ Wagler named Big Ten Freshman of the Week
The kid looks good. Keaton Wagler was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week on Monday. In his first two league games last week, Wagler averaged 21 points and 7.5 assists. He scored a career-high 23 points in the win over Ohio State, and followed that up with a double-double in the three-point loss to […]
REPORT: Croatian forward Toni Bilic commits to Illinois
Illinois may never stop adding Balkan-born players to their roster. Jonathan Givony is reporting that Illinois has earned a commitment from Croatian forward Toni Bilic. The 6’9, 20-year-old is arriving during the semester break and is eligible to play immediately. Bilic was a member of Croatia’s FIBA U18 team in 2023 and was a part […]
Croatian forward Toni Bilic commits to Illinois
Illinois may never stop adding Balkan-born players to their roster. Jonathan Givony is reporting that Illinois has earned a commitment from Croatian forward Toni Bilic. The 6’9, 20-year-old is arriving during the semester break and is eligible to play immediately. Bilic was a member of Croatia’s FIBA U18 team in 2023 and was a part […]
Three-point charge leads Illinois over North Texas
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — A lot of emotions from both head coaches, good shooting, and a fourth quarter run weren’t enough for the Mean Green in Champaign on Sunday. Behind Berry Wallace’s 28 points, Illinois continued its hot stretch to start the season with a 81-69 win over North Texas at State Farm Center. “It’s a […]
Former Illinois head coach Mike White dies at 89
Former Illinois football head coach Mike White died Sunday at age 89, according to the program. White coached the Illini from 1980-87, leading them to a 47-41-3 record. He led Illinois to three bowl games, including the 1984 Rose Bowl. The Illini won the Big Ten title in 1983, becoming the only team ever to […]
Berry Wallace explodes in Illinois’ win over North Texas
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — After a red-hot start to the season, sophomore Berry Wallace has had a slower start than expected in December. However, many at the Ubben basketball center weren’t worried that Wallace wouldn’t find her shot. On Wednesday, head coach Shauna Green had some blunt words about it. “I have no concerns about Barry […]
Underwood on Mirkovic benching: ‘David was in Serbia today’
We all know at this point that it was disappointing how Illinois lost to Nebraska on Saturday at the buzzer. But Brad Underwood went viral after the loss when he explained why he sent freshman David Mirkovic to the bench. “David was in Serbia today,” Underwood said. “He wasn’t in this building… I couldn’t play […]
Illinois falls to unbeaten Nebraska in heartbreaker
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Against an unbeaten Nebraska team built on experience, the Illini couldn’t quite complete the comeback in their first Big Ten test at State Farm Center. No. 13 Illinois dropped its first home game of the season Saturday, falling to No. 23 Nebraska 83-80 as the Cornhuskers stay unbeaten at 11-0. Despite a […]
How defense propelled Shauna Green & Illinois to a historic start
CHAMPAIGN Ill. —The Illinois women’s basketball team is coming off a strong 70-62 wire-to-wire win over Missouri on Wednesday, and are now 9-1 through their first ten games of the season. This is their best start to a season since 1981-82 and a real testament to what head coach Shauna Green has done to the […]
‘She trusts me’: Transfer Maddie Webber tasked with big Illini role
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Fresh off its best start since 1981-82, Illinois women’s basketball (9-1) is looking to stay hot. The Orange and Blue have two more non-conference games left on the slate, and then it’s going to start to get real come New Year’s. But the increase in competition doesn’t seem to be a factor […]
Luke Altmyer to play in Music City Bowl
Luke Altmyer will finish his college career as Illinois looks for back-to-back nine-plus win seasons. The Illini QB announced Friday afternoon he will be active for the Music City Bowl on Dec. 30 vs. Tennessee in Nashville. Altmyer famously returned to Illinois for his senior season, despite the overtures of big money from big-name SEC […]
Gabe Jacas to opt out of Illinois bowl game
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois star senior outside linebacker Gabe Jacas will not be playing in the Music City Bowl, ending his college football career. In a personal statement, he stated that he will be opting out of the bowl game. A four-year player for the Illini, Jacas tallied 27 sacks, seven forced fumbles and 184 […]
Illinois is proving this season it CAN bounce back
The Illini may have eased some worries with their play this past week. After a disappointing performance in Madison Square Garden on Black Friday, there was good reason for some concern surrounding this Illini team. The UCONN Huskies were in control the entire game, and the Illini offense looked stagnant at times. It even began […]
What to expect from Illinois & Tennessee in the Music City Bowl
It is official: Illinois accepted an invitation to the Music City Bowl in Nashville on Dec. 30 at Nissan Stadium. The opponent will be the Tennessee Volunteers out of the SEC. This will be the first time the Illini and the Vols have met on the gridiron, and the Illini’s first time in the Music […]
Illinois women off to best start since 1981-82 season
COLUMBIA, Mis. — What a game. What a finish. And what a team. The Illini have the Braggin’ Rights. Illinois won its annual rivalry game over Missouri 70-62 Wednesday night in Columbia. After some early foul trouble from star sophomore Berry Wallace, a senior and a freshman took over the game for the Illini. With […]
How to Watch Illinois vs. Nebraska: Game Time, TV Channel, Online Streaming and Odds
How to Watch Illinois vs. Nebraska Game Time: 3 p.m. Saturday TV Channel: N/A Online Streaming: Peacock Odds: N/A (Illinois 80.2% Chance To Win – ESPN Matchup Predictor) Quick Hits: Illinois Fighting Illini (8-2, 1-0 Big Ten) Head Coach: Brad Underwood (9th season) Last Game: Illinois 88, Ohio State 80 Gameday Reading: Nebraska Cornhuskers (9-0, 0-0 Big Ten) Head […]
Wagler and Mirkovic don’t look like freshmen for Illinois
Illinois picked up its first Big Ten win by beating Ohio State on the road Tuesday 88-80. This victory gives the Illini their second Quad 1 win of the year and an essential 1-0 start to conference play. The Illini freshmen came ready in their first true road game, leading Illinois throughout. David Mirkovic opened […]
FanDuel: Big Ten bowl game picks and predictions
Bowl season is here, and while the Big Ten has three teams competing in the CFP, some of the league’s teams play their final game of the season as soon as this weekend. Here you’ll find a full schedule of Big Ten bowl games (non-CFP) with their odds from FanDuel Sportsbook, and a few of […]
Wagler shines as Illinois wins Big Ten opener at OSU
COLUMBUS, OH. — A roadkill to start off conference play? You bet. Illinois’ true freshmen took care of business at Value City Arena in Columbus on Tuesday night as the Illini opened Big Ten play with an 88-80 win over Ohio State. Brad Underwood’s crew (8-2, 1-0 Big Ten) is headed back to Champaign with […]
Illini come away with tough road win in Big Ten opener
COLUMBUS, OH. — A roadkill to start off conference play? You bet. Illinois (8-2, 1-0 B1G) took care of business at Value City Arena in Columbus on Tuesday night, beating Ohio State (7-2, 1-1 B1G) by a score of 88-80. Brad Underwood’s crew is headed back to Champaign with its third Quad 1 victory thanks […]
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