The Champaign Room
A Fighting Illini community since 2012
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Latest Entries
In Josh We Trust
On this episode of Oskee Talk I examine the newest contract extension for Athletic Director Josh Whitman (4:13) and speak about how continuity breeds success (11:06) and the importance of trusting leadership (17:48). I also discuss the tiers of men’s hoops’ non-conference opponents (20:36), the major questions for the team entering 2026-27 (29:33), and how […]
Illinois offers 2028 5-star power forward
While all the hype is well deserved for the 2026-27 season, Illinois is making moves positioning itself for one of the top players in the class of 2028. 5-star power forward Benjamin Berrouet announced this week that he received an offer from the Illini. (Love the logo choice, Benjamin.) 247 has Berrouet as the top […]
Keaton Wagler takes over against Timberwolves
Keaton Wagler had a slow start to his NBA Summer League career, but has since shown why he was the fifth pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Check out State Farm Agent Brian Hanson for a home, auto, business, and life insurance needs quote today: https://gtlk.link/5zlx5Emx Chief’s Naturals is launching in September and will be providing […]
Ranking Illinois’ non-conference schedule by hype
Brad Underwood has never shied away from loading up on elite non-conference opponents, and 2026 is no exception. Facing one of the most intriguing slates of games in the country, the Illini have a gauntlet ahead of them that’s designed to prepare this team for another deep run in March. It’s been years since a […]
The five most important Illini for the 2026-27 season
Everyone’s favorite time of the year is slowly approaching as we are less than seven weeks away from seeing the Fighting Illini football team don those lovely orange and blue jerseys and storm the field at Gies Memorial Stadium for what is set to be another exciting season. Coming off of back-to-back bowl-winning seasons, head […]
Mirkovic and Stojakovic show off their soccer skills ahead of World Cup final
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Assistant Coach Camryn Crocker’s Instagram story Friday morning was one that couldn’t be skipped past. Illini returners David Mirkovic and Andrej Stojakovic were seen at Ubben playing keep-ups with a soccer ball, and kept the thing up for quite some time. It went back and forth off of their heads (and Mirk’s […]
Illinois AD Josh Whitman’s contract extended through 2036
Josh Whitman is now slated to stay in Champaign through 2036. The University’s Board of Trustees approved the deal on Thursday, which will see Whitman’s contract soar to $2.15 million dollars for the 2026/27 year. The new deal includes a yearly pay raise of $100,000, totaling $26.1 million over the contract. Whitman is the fifth-longest-tenured […]
“Greatest all-time Champaign-Urbana places to eat” draft
Illini Isaac and Robby Nardini of TCR are joined by Evan Stone of ESPN 93.5 for a draft of the best ever places to eat in Champaign-Urbana! Check out State Farm Agent Brian Hanson for a home, auto, business, and life insurance needs quote today: https://gtlk.link/5zlx5Emx Chief’s Naturals is launching in September and will be providing […]
Josh Whitman may be getting another contract extension
He’s already considered among the Big Ten — and country’s — best athletic directors. This week, Illinois Director of Athletics Josh Whitman may be getting another contract extension. An agenda for Illinois’ Board of Trustees on Thursday shows Whitman’s contract is up for debate. The agenda reads: “Amend Multiyear Contract with Director, Division of Intercollegiate […]
Kylan Boswell efficient in first Summer League start
Boswell is starting to ball. After three straight games coming off the bench, Kylan Boswell earned his first start in the NBA Summer League. The former Illini has continued to improve throughout the summer. Boswell finished the game with 11 points on 4-7 shooting and went 3-5 from beyond the arc. He also grabbed 7 rebounds, […]
Illinois’ David Mirkovic third in early John Wooden Award odds
College basketball season doesn’t start for another few months, but some oddsmakers out in Las Vegas are already getting busy. Several sportsbooks have already come out with their odds on which player is most likely to win the John Wooden Award, which is given each year to the top player in college basketball. Towards the […]
Get to know Illini QB Katin Houser
After the calmest stretch of QB play in recent Illinois memory, a new era has started in Champaign. Katin Houser is slated to lead the Illini offense this coming fall; yet many don’t know the interesting route that eventually landed him at Gies Memorial Stadium. Houser will be no stranger to the Big Ten, having […]
It’s time to stop hating Morez Johnson Jr.
Sports hate is fun. Morez Johnson Jr. left us. He left us for… (gulp) Michigan. Given the seasons Michigan and Illinois had, it was always going to be a big game. Adding Morez’s departure into the mix just made it that much more personal. When he came back to State Farm Center as a member […]
Two biggest questions facing Illinois Basketball before 2026-27 season
Illinois basketball summer workouts are underway, and the entire roster is finally together on campus. Stefan Vaaks recently returned to Champaign after representing Estonia in the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers. Andrej Stojakovic, Jake Davis, and Lucas Morillo were all dealing with injuries earlier this offseason but are now back on the court. The Illini are […]
Wagler’s Summer League performances and NBA future with Joey Linn
Illini Isaac is joined by Joey Linn, beat reporter for the LA Clippers, to discuss Keaton Wagler’s NBA Summer League performances so far and future role for the franchise. Check out State Farm Agent Brian Hanson for a home, auto, business, and life insurance needs quote today: https://gtlk.link/5zlx5Emx
Keaton Wagler redeems himself in second Summer League game
LAS VEGAS — After a rough debut in the Clippers’ first Summer League outing, many fans began writing off top-five draft pick Keaton Wagler, prematurely labeling the guard as a bust. He didn’t write back though. The nerves caught up to Wagler during his debut in a loss to the Sacramento Kings, where he tallied […]
Will Riley goes off against Kings
It’s safe to say that Will Riley is feeling confident. The former Illinois and current Wizards forward caught fire in his second NBA Summer League game. Riley had a game-high 32 points in 29 minutes. He also added 6 rebounds and 3 assists. His scoring ability was on full display in the victory, something Illinois […]
Boswell efficient in NBA Summer League vs Pelicans
Kylan Boswell contributed 8 points (3/3 FG), 7 assists, and 4 rebounds in only 15 game minutes for the Hornets in a summer league loss to the Pelicans. Check out State Farm Agent Brian Hanson for a home, auto, business, and life insurance needs quote today: https://gtlk.link/5zlx5Emx
Why Illinois is showing Air Bud inside Memorial Stadium
I’m not going to lie — I’ve never seen Air Bud. But David Mirkovic apparently has — and it’s one of his all-time favorite films. So to please Illinois’ super sophomore, the FamILLy movie night set for Saturday, Aug. 8 will be Air Bud inside Gies Memorial Stadium. DIA said it will be the public […]
Keaton Wagler struggles in NBA Summer League Debut
LAS VEGAS — It was a highly anticipated evening for both Illini and L.A. Clippers fans alike, as Keaton Wagler, the fifth-overall pick in the NBA Draft, was getting ready to make his Summer League debut. Unfortunately for all parties involved, it was tough sledding for the former All-American guard out of Illinois, as he […]
Morez Johnson Jr. dominates in NBA Summer League debut
Former Illinois big man Morez Johnson Jr. dominated in his NBA Summer League debut on Thursday night. Johnson Jr. finished with 27 points and eight rebounds, shooting an impressive 12-for-17 from the field in 32 minutes. The Mavericks fell to the Warriors, who were led by Johnson’s former Michigan teammate Yaxel Lendeborg. Lendeborg and Johnson […]
Illinois’ non-conference schedule is almost complete
During this episode of Oskee Talk I discuss men’s basketball season tickets selling out (3:56), a new home for Mihailo Petrovic (10:20) and the Illini’s newest non-conference additions (11:52). I also look back on how things have changed since Illinois’ last hoops matchup with Winthrop (15:46) and break down the way too early men’s Top […]
Ranking every Big Ten head basketball coach!
Illini Isaac is joined by Robby Nardini of TCR to break down recent Illini sports news and rank all 18 of the Big Ten head basketball coaches! Check out State Farm Agent Brian Hanson for a home, auto, business, and life insurance needs quote today: https://gtlk.link/5zlx5Emx
Former Illinois star Gabe Jacas remains unsigned with Patriots
When the New England Patriots traded up in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, they were confident in their selection. The team was fresh off a Super Bowl defeat to the Seahawks and was looking to fill a big gap on the defensive edge. So, they selected none other than the Illini’s star […]
Illini Timberwolves with Canis Hoopus!
Illini Isaac is joined by Ryan Eichten of Canis Hoopus (Minnesota Timberwolves’ SB Nation site) to break down Ayo Dosunmu’s new contract with the Timberwolves and Terrence Shannon Jr’s role in his first two NBA seasons with Minnesota. Check out State Farm Agent Brian Hanson for a home, auto, business, and life insurance needs quote […]
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