Illini Inquirer Podcast: An Illinois Fighting Illini athletics podcast

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Derek Piper react to Illinois basketball's 83-79 loss to No. 11 Arizona. The guys discuss some late-game miscues and how Arizona neutralized All-American center Kofi Cockburn, Coleman Hawkins' struggles and a lackluster bench but also how Illinois had a chance to win thanks to great shooting from Trent Frazier, Alfonso Plummer and Jacob Grandison. The guys then...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner discusses what Syracuse transfer QB Tommy DeVito brings to Illinois, why the Illini wanted him and how he fits in Tony Petersen's offense.

Joey Wagner and Derek Piper preview Illinois vs. Arizona, the biggest nonconference game at the State Farm Center in more than a decade and Piper talks about Illinois' keys to a win.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Ryan Easterling discuss the start of a busy offseason of roster-building for Bret Bielema and Illinois football. The guys start by discussing transfers out of the program before focusing on the current 19 commitments in the Class of 2022 and who else Illinois could add before the early signing period next week. Then the guys focus on Illinois football's transfer...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with former Illinois basketball player Mike LaTulip about Illinois' 87-83 road win at Iowa, the Illini's first road win at Iowa City since 2017 to give Illinois its first 2-0 Big Ten start since 2013-14. The guys discuss how Illinois absorbed Iowa's runs, including a 21-2 first-half run, as well as Kofi Cockburn's dominance on the interior and Alfonso Plummer...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Derek Piper discuss Illinois basketball's 86-51 rout of Rutgers in the Big Ten opener. The guys discuss a great defensive performance, especially Coleman Hawkins on Ron Harper Jr., and an offense clicking on all cylinders with knockdown shooters (Alfonso Plummer, Jacob Grandison, Trent Frazier, Luke Goode and Da'Monte Williams) surrounding a dominant center (Kof...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with former Illinois basketball player Mike LaTulip about Illinois basketball's 82-72 win over Notre Dame in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. Mike discusses Kofi Cockburn's dominance, the returns and impacts of Trent Frazier and Jacob Grandison, Coleman Hawkins' growing pains and the start of Big Ten play this week.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with All-American LB J Leman about the Illini's 47-14 win over Northwestern, the 2021 season and a big offseason ahead. Leman discusses what went so well for Illinois against Northwestern, what the win says about the program and what it can mean moving into the offseason. The guys then discuss the offseason ahead including what players could play in the NFL ne...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with Derek Piper about Baylor transfer big man Dain Dainja and then breaks down Illinois football's two newest commits: Denmark offensive lineman Magnus Møller and Elijah Mc-Cantos. Piper breaks down how Dainja fits Illinois and why the Illini pushed for the former top-100 prospect. Then Werner breaks down what Møller and Mc-Cantos add to Bret Bielema's first...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Derek Piper react to Illinois basketball's 82-72 win over Notre Dame, including the returns of Trent Frazier and Jacob Grandison. The guys discuss why we must appreciate what Kofi Cockburn is doing right now, Coleman Hawkins' growing pains, freshmen contributions, Andre Curbelo's injury and if the team took a significant step forward.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner discuss Illinois football's 47-14 rout of Northwestern and what it means to wrap up Bret Bielema's first season. The guys discuss the Illini's most dominant Big Ten performance in years and what Bielema accomplished in Year One. The guys discuss which Illini players should earn All-Big Ten honors and the offseason keys for Bielema to build off a soli...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Derek Piper react to Illinois basketball's sweat-inducing 94-85 win over UTRGV. The guys discuss the impact of the absences of Andre Curbelo, Trent Frazier and Jacob Grandison, huge nights from Kofi Cockburn and Alfonso Plummer, defensive struggles, Austin Hutcherson's tough night and Luke Goode showing more positive signs. Then the guys discuss two big recruiti...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with basketball analyst Mike LaTulip about Illinois basketball's 72-64 win over Kansas State at the Hall of Fame Classic in Kansas City. The guys discuss huge games from Kofi Cockburn (23 points, 13 rebounds) and Alfonso Plummer (21 points, 7-9 three), a more explosive offense and a tougher response. The guys also discuss what a potential serious injury to Tre...

Illini Inquirer's Derek Piper and Joey Wagner talk about the Illini's disappointing 71-51 loss to Cincinnati and the path to fill the leadership void left by Ayo Dosunmu. Piper breaks down the offensive and defensive issues that have plagued Illinois through two games and if it's too early to sound the alarms for being concerned..

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with All-American linebacker J Leman about Illinois football's 33-23 loss at Iowa. Leman starts off chatting about the defense keeping the Illini competitive once again and who should earn All-Big Ten honors from that group, but he also highlights one underrated absence at Iowa City. Then Leman breaks down the offense's struggles and discusses what criticism i...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner react to Illinois football's 33-23 loss at No. 17 Iowa, the Illini's eighth straight loss to Iowa. The guys break down a familiar script: a defense that gives Illinois a chance but an offense that can't get over the hump in a close loss. The guys discuss why the offense hasn't taken many strides and how they improve moving forward. The guys also disc...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with former Illinois basketball player Mike LaTulip about the Illini's 67-66 loss to Marquette, Andre Curbelo's tough night and Trent Frazier's big night. The guys then discuss Kofi Cockburn's return this week at the Hall of Fame Classic and the Illini's 2022 recruiting class.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with City/Suburban Hoops Report's Joe Henricksen about 4-star wing Ty Rodgers signing with Illini. Henricksen breaks down why he's a big fan of Ty Rodgers and his fit for Illinois, his thoughts on 2024 Illini commit Morez Johnson's potential and what the two in-state prospects' commitments say about Brad Underwood's Illini program.

All-American linebacker J Leman joins Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner to discuss all the latest with Illinois football. He gives his thoughts on Bret Bielema's COVID-19 diagnosis and what his physical absence impacts the team. Leman also discusses defensive coordinator Ryan Walters' contract extension and what it says about the Illini program and Walters' career arc. Leman then gives an in-depth b...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Derek Piper discuss four-star wing Ty Rodgers' commitment to Illinois, how Illinois won the Big Ten recruiting battle, how he fits and what he brings to the program, what his commitment says about head coach Brad Underwood and assistant Tim Anderson and the next focus for the Illini staff in recruiting.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner react to the news that Illinois football head coach Bret Bielema has tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss the Iowa game on Saturday. The guys discuss what it means for the team, why wide receivers coach George McDonald will be acting head coach and how Bielema's absence will impact the Illini at Iowa City.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Derek Piper discuss Illinois basketball's 67-66 loss at Marquette, why the Illini lost composure, what went so wrong for Andre Curbelo and how the Illini respond to the loss, especially with Kofi Cockburn coming back from suspension for the next game.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner discuss Illinois football awarding a contract extension to defensive coordinator Ryan Walters. The guys discuss what the deal says about Walters, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema and Illinois athletics director Josh Whitman and then discuss the impact on the program, including recruiting.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Derek Piper discuss Illinois basketball 92-53 win over Arkansas State. The guys discuss the impacts of the returns of Andre Curbelo and Trent Frazier, Coleman Hawkins' continued rise and Jacob Grandison's solid play. Then the guys discuss the significance of four-star 2022 wing Ty Rodgers' visit to State Farm Center.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with former Illinois basketball player Mike LaTulip about Illinois' short-handed season-opening win. LaTulip discusses what is to be taken away from a game without the Illini's three best players (Kofi Cockburn, Andre Curbelo and Trent Frazier) and another key scoring option (Austin Hutcherson). He breaks down positive games from Jacob Grandison, Coleman Hawki...