Illini Inquirer Podcast: An Illinois Fighting Illini athletics podcast

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Derek Piper discuss No. 24 Illinois basketball's 59-56 win at Northwestern. The guys discuss Kofi Cockburn's big return, Da'Monte Williams' heroics and true freshmen Brandin Podziemski and RJ Melendez stepping up in relief of struggling veterans. The guys then discuss the much more difficult stretch ahead for an Illini team that sits atop the Big Ten standings a...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with former Illini basketball player Mike LaTulip about short-handed Illinois basketball's 56-55 win over No. 10 Michigan State. The guys discuss the importance of Trent Frazier, the backup big men stepping up in relief of Kofi Cockburn and Luke Goode's big game. LaTulip also breaks down why the defense was so good during the first half and why the offense fai...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Derek Piper react to Illinois basketball's 56-55 nail-biting win over No. 10 Michigan State without Kofi Cockburn and Andre Curbelo. The guys discuss how Illinois was in position to win and how they (barely) held on for its first true marquee win of the season so short-handed. The guys discuss big contributions from Trent Frazier, Luke Goode, Omar Payne and Benj...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats Illini football to start the episode, including transfers out and Bret Bielema following through on his in-state recruiting pledge. Then Jeremy previews No. 24 Illinois vs. No. 10 Michigan State with Graham Couch of the Lansing State Journal, who breaks down the Spartans and the matchup against the Illini, with or without Kofi Cockburn.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner react to Illinois basketball's 81-65 loss at Maryland and why Illinois struggled so much without star center Kofi Cockburn, the frontcourt issues, the defensive issues and what it means moving forward after back-to-back Big Ten losses.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner starts the podcast discussing the comings and goings for Illinois football so far this offseason. Then he chats with Mike LaTulip about Illinois basketball's loss to Purdue. The guys discuss the Boilermakers and Kofi Cockburn's relative struggles against marquee/B1G opponents. Then the guys discuss what Andre Curbelo's fantastic return to the court means for the tea...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner discuss No. 17-ranked Illinois basketball's 96-88 double-overtime loss to No. 4 Purdue. The guys discuss whether they are encouraged or discouraged in the showing, especially given Kofi Cockburn's struggled. The guys discuss surprise performances from Andre Curbelo (welcome back!) and Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk and what they mean for the team moving fo...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Derek Piper discuss Illinois basketball's 68-53 over Michigan, which was without Hunter Dickinson and Brandon Johns, to set up a huge Monday matchup against No. 7 Purdue. The guys discuss how Illinois won ugly again and what that means moving forward against tougher competition. The guys also break down player performances, including Trent Frazier's latest takeo...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats about the start of a stretch of Big Ten games that will tell us a lot about No. 25 Illinois. Then he chats with Illini all-time leading scorer Deon Thomas about what he thinks about the Illini heading into the heart of Big Ten play. Then the guys have a deep conversation on Kofi Cockburn's growth and future, including whether he could return for an extra seaso...

Illini Inquirer's Derek Piper and Joey Wagner from Lincoln discuss Illinois basketball's 81-71 win at Nebraska. The guys discuss big games from Trent Frazier, Omar Payne and Coleman Hawkins, who stepped up on a relatively down night from All-American center Kofi Cockburn. The guys also look ahead to a huge week ahead with games against Michigan and Purdue.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with former Illinois basketball player Mike LaTulip about the 4-0 Illini basketball team. LaTulip gives his thoughts on the Illini's new AP ranking, the Maryland win and Tuesday's game at Nebraska. LaTulip then breaks down his the top-5 teams in the Big Ten entering the week of Jan. 10.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with two 247Sports insiders about new Illini offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. First, Jeremy chats with InsideRunnerSports.com's JJ Perez about Lunney's two highly successful seasons at UTSA, his play-calling, quarterback development and recruiting. Then Jeremy chats with Trey Biddy of HawgSports.com to discuss Lunney's background in Arkansas, his first s...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner react to Illinois hiring UTSA's Barry Lunney Jr. as offensive coordinator. The guys discuss how he differs from Tony Petersen, what he brings to Bret Bielema's staff as a coach and a recruiter and how he could impact the current talent on the team.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Derek Piper break down Illinois basketball's 76-64 win over Maryland. The guys discuss Kofi Cockburn's monster night (23 points, 18 rebounds), a potential National Player of the Year showcase, and how the Illini won despite a cold shooting night. The guys then discuss some issues that showed up and the coming stretch ahead, including next week's game against Neb...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with All-American linebacker J Leman about Bret Bielema firing offensive coordinator Tony Petersen. Leman gives his reaction to the firing, why he thinks Bielema made the move and what it says about the Illini program moving forward. Then Leman gives his thoughts on the reported top candidate for the vacancy, UTSA offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner discuss Illinois football coach Bret Bielema firing offensive coordinator Tony Petersen after one season. The guys discuss why Petersen was fired and what it says about Bret Bielema, Josh Whitman and the Illini program. Then the guys discuss the top candidate to replace Petersen and what it could mean for the Illini.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with Mike LaTulip about Illinois basketball's 76-53 road rout of Minnesota after a 13-day break and COVID pause. The guys discuss how Illinois overcame the long break to come out and build a huge lead early, Kofi Cockburn's continued dominance and a strong, deep supporting cast performance. The guys then discuss good news on the Andre Curbelo front and his pot...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner review the year that was 2021 for Illini athletics, The guys start by discussing the big picture and steps to normality in the return to competition and the return of fans. Then the guys discuss the biggest Illini stories of 2021, the best Illini athletes, the best moments and the worst moment. The guys then look ahead to what 2022 has in store for I...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats about Illinois basketball's COVID-19 pause. He then talks with Mike LaTulip about the Braggin' Rights win, the team's growth during the last month, Omicron's potential impact on college basketball and a review of what 2021 meant for Illinois basketball.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Derek Piper discuss Illinois basketball's 88-63 win over Missouri in the Braggin' Rights Game, breaking a three-year losing streak to Mizzou. The guys discuss the Illini's elite offense, Kofi Cockburn's continued dominance, Brandin Podziemski's new role and what this team has shown during the last month.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Derek Piper discuss Illinois basketball's 106-48 rout of St. Francis (Pa.), which included a program-record 18 three-pointers. The guys discuss how Illinois has been so effective offensively without star point guard Andre Curbelo and what strides they made defensively on Saturday. Then the guys discuss the Braggin Right's Game as well as some takeaways on some u...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner talks with Illinois football director of recruiting Pat Embleton about the 2022 signing class. Embleton details recruiting during the pandemic, what Bret Bielema has brought to the Illini's recruiting efforts, in-state recruiting improvement and the transfer portal. Werner then chats with Mike LaTulip about Illinois basketball's loss to Arizona (the positives and th...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner discuss Illinois football adding 22 prospects to the Class of 2022 on early signing day. The guys discuss what the Illini accomplished in the class, four signing-week additions, the guys' favorite prospects in the class, their favorite sleepers and their needs in the transfer market.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with former Illinois basketball player Sean Harrington about the 20-year reunion of the 2001 and 2002 Illini Big Ten championship teams. Sean shares stories about Lon Kruger's exit, Bill Self's arrival, Frank Williams, Lucas Johnson, Robert Archibald and much more. Then Sean gives his thoughts on the 2021-22 Illini so far and what he thinks they are capable of...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with 247Sports national recruiting analyst Allen Trieu about Illinois football's 2022 recruiting class. Trieu discusses what Bret Bielema has brought to Illinois football recruiting and gives his thoughts on several of the Illini prospects. He breaks down many of the Illini's in-state commitments, including RB Jordan Anderson, RB Aidan Laughery, WR Eian Pugh,...