A Fighting Illini community since 2012
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 […]
about 2 months ago | 1 read
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 […]
about 2 months ago | 2 reads
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 […]
about 2 months ago | 1 read
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 […]
about 2 months ago | 0 reads
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 […]
about 2 months ago | 2 reads
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 […]
about 2 months ago | 0 reads
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 […]
about 2 months ago | 2 reads
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 […]
about 2 months ago | 2 reads
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 […]
about 2 months ago | 2 reads
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 […]
2 months ago | 1 read
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 […]
2 months ago | 0 reads
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 […]
2 months ago | 2 reads
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 […]
2 months ago | 2 reads
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 […]
2 months ago | 1 read
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 […]
2 months ago | 2 reads
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 […]
2 months ago | 0 reads
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 […]
2 months ago | 2 reads
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 […]
2 months ago | 1 read
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 […]
2 months ago | 2 reads
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 […]
2 months ago | 2 reads
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 […]
2 months ago | 1 read
Coming into this season, there was a belief that Illinois has a very talented team but with lots of new players and new roles, there were a lot of question marks. There was the potential for a special season, but if things didn’t gel right, it could look a lot like last year or the […]
2 months ago | 0 reads
Brandt Dolce of The Champaign Room rejoins me to recap Illinois’ men’s basketball win over Tennessee in Nashville (3:42), discuss Brad Underwood’s offensive template (23:02) and the challenging schedule ahead (34:21), and preview this week’s Big Ten matchups versus Ohio State (41:11) and Nebraska (48:39). We also break women’s basketball’s dominant win against Indiana (61:09), […]
2 months ago | 0 reads
Brandt Dolce of The Champaign Room rejoins me to recap Illinois’ men’s basketball win over Tennessee in Nashville (3:42), discuss Brad Underwood’s offensive template (23:02) and the challenging schedule ahead (34:21), and preview this week’s Big Ten matchups versus Ohio State (41:11) and Nebraska (48:39). We also break women’s basketball’s dominant win against Indiana (61:09), […]
2 months ago | 0 reads
CHAMPAIGN — Ben Humrichous had a quiet, relatively unremarkable stat line in Saturday night’s win over Tennessee, ending the night with a meager two points, five rebounds and an assist. But at least one of his rebounds came in the middle of the second half and was instrumental in kick-starting a run for Illinois as […]
2 months ago | 1 read