Illini Inquirer Podcast: An Illinois Fighting Illini athletics podcast

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Derek Piper discuss Illinois basketball's short-handed 71-47 win over Jackson State. They talk about how the Illini played without guards Andre Curbelo (concussion protocol), Trent Frazier (shoulder) and Austin Hutcherson (tailbone) and the positives from the available role players, including Jacob Grandison and Coleman Hawkins, as well as some negatives. Then t...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with All-American linebacker J Leman about Illinois football's 14-6 win at No. 20 Minnesota. Leman breaks down how Ryan Walters' defense shut down the Big Ten West leader and a top-ranked Minnesota rushing attack. Then Leman discusses the offense's fast start and why it didn't sustain that effort the rest of the game. The guys then look ahead to the Illini's f...

Live from Minneapolis, Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner discuss Illinois football's 14-6 win at No. 20 Minnesota, the Illini's second-straight road win at a ranked opponent. The guys discuss the defense's dominant performance and why defensive coordinator Ryan Walters has been so successful. The guys also discuss what was behind the offense's quick start and their lack of success du...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with Scott Burgess of Prep Hoops Illinois to discuss Chicago St. Rita 2024 forward Morez Johnson committing to Illinois. Burgess breaks down how the Illini got the top-two Illinois sophomore prospect to jump on board so early, what it says about the revamped Illini staff's in-state recruiting efforts, what Johnson eventually will bring to the Illini and how hi...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with former Illinois basketball player Mike LaTulip about all things Illinois basketball. The guys first start talking about Kofi Cockburn's three-game suspension and how the team handles his absence. Then LaTulip gives his thoughts on the exhibition game against Indiana (Pa.), how the absences of veterans were felt, Andre Curbelo's highs and lows and the fres...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with All-American linebacker J Leman about Illinois football's 20-14 loss to Rutgers. Leman breaks down one bright spot, quarterback Brandon Peters, before breaking down why the Illini struggled to run the ball, late-game play-calling and the defense struggling to get off the field. Leman then looks ahead to the Illini's trip to Big Ten West-leading Minnesota.

Illini Inquirer Jeremy Werner and Derek Piper react to the NCAA's three-game suspension of Kofi Cockburn. The guys discuss whether the suspension is fair, how it will impact Illinois and who must step up in his absence. The guys end the podcast discussing Ayo Dosunmu's best game of his young NBA career (14 points in a comeback win at Boston) and how he's found a role on the 6-1 Bulls.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner discuss Illinois football's 20-14 loss to Rutgers. The guys discuss why the offense was shut out after taking a 14-10 lead at halftime following a fantastic second quarter. The guys discuss some play-calling and try to reconcile the Illini crushing Penn State in the trenches but struggling against Rutgers on the line of scrimmage. The guys then look...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Derek Piper discuss Illinois basketball's 94-79 win over Indiana (Pa.) and why a sloppy performance thrilled Brad Underwood. The guys discuss the impact of missing Austin Hutcherson, Trent Frazier and Da'Monte Williams due to injuries, especially on defense. Then the guys discuss some positives, including Coleman Hawkins in the starting lineup, Kofi Cockburn's d...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with former Illinois basketball player Mike LaTulip about the Illini's first exhibition game, a 101-38 rout of St. Francis. LaTulip discusses what can actually be learned from an exhibition against an overmatched NAIA team, why Trent Frazier was his star of the game, what he saw from transfers Omar Payne and Alfonso Plummer, what stood out about Coleman Hawkin...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner talks with former All-American LB J Leman about Illinois football's 20-18 nine-OT win at No. 7 Penn State. Leman breaks down what the win means for the program after a tough month and week, why Ryan Walters' defense is having such success and how the Illini's "barge" offense worked. Then he looks ahead to a winnable game against Rutgers.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Derek Piper discuss Illinois basketball's 101-38 win over St. Francis (Ill.) in the first of two exhibition games. The guys discuss what they can actually take away from the blowout over an NAIA opponent and break down what they saw from bench options Coleman Hawkins, Austin Hutcherson, Omar Payne and Alfonso Plummer before chatting about initial impressions fro...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner (in Champaign) and Joey Wagner (in State College) react to Illinois football's 20-18 nine-overtime victory at No. 7 Penn State. The guys discuss the historic nature of this game (longest in college football history) and what the win says about the program after a noisy week. Then the guys discuss the defense's dominance and the running game's dominance overcoming po...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with former Illinois basketball player Mike LaTulip to preview the 2021-22 Illinois basketball season. They guys discuss what Illinois lost in Ayo Dosunmu, Adam Miller and Giorgi Bezhanishvili before discussing the next steps for Kofi Cockburn and Andre Curbelo; what the returns of seniors Trent Frazier, Da'Monte Williams and Jacob Grandison means for the team...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner discuss the brouhaha around Bret Bielema's blunt comments about the Illinois football roster. The guys provide context to what Bielema was saying, the fallout of it (both inside and outside the team) and the potential impact of the online outrage moving forward. Then the guys discuss actual recruiting, including the meteoric rise of Chicago Marist LB...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with Illinois All-American linebacker J Leman about the latest in the Big Ten, including Iowa's loss to Purdue and four top-9 teams in the Big Ten East, before focusing on Illinois football's trip to Penn State and what he wants to see after an off week. The J answers listener-submitted questions on Illinois football, the roster, the coaching, recruiting and h...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Derek Piper talk 50 minutes of Illini basketball. The guys start with Michigan big man Hunter Dickinson waking up Big Ten Media Days with a shot at Illini fans and whether he was spitting some truth and what that says about Illinois basketball. Then the guys discuss their biggest takeaways from the Illini's open practice last Saturday, including Andre Curbelo, L...

All-American linebacker J Leman joins Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner to break down Illinois football's 24-0 loss at Wisconsin, including near-historic offensive struggles, o-line issues, Art Sitkowski's performance in relief and a defense overpowered in the run game. Leman then gives his midseason report card on the Illini, giving a letter grade for each position group as well as the head coach a...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner discuss the Illini's 24-0 loss to Wisconsin and some basketball open practice observations. The guys discuss a putrid offensive performance and Artur Sitkowski's performance in relief of Brandon Peters. Then the guys discuss what there is to learn about a 2-5 (1-3 Big Ten) Illini team the rest of the season and the staff's recruiting priorities in th...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner discuss their takeaways from basketball media days and preview Illinois vs. Wisconsin football. The guys start by discussing what they've learned and heard from Illinois basketball and Big Ten basketball media days, including the Illini's biggest reasons for excitement and a few lingering questions. Then the guys break down Saturday's homecoming game...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with All-American LB J Leman about Illinois football's 24-14 win over Charlotte. Leman breaks down Chase Brown's monster rushing performance (257 yards) and the keys to the Illini offensive line's run blocking. Leman then breaks down quarterback Brandon Peters' issues in the passing game before discussing continued improvement from Ryan Walters' defense. The g...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner discuss Illinois football's skid-busting 24-14 win over Charlotte. The guys discuss Chase Brown's huge day and the Illini rushing attack's ability to bully the 49ers. But the guys also discuss the passing attack's continued struggles with Brandon Peters at quarterback and what it says that Illinois continues to commit to the super senior. The guys en...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Derek Piper discuss the start of Illinois basketball practice and break down the questions about the 2021-22 team. The guys discuss expectations with Kofi Cockburn, Andre Curbelo, Trent Frazier, Da'Monte Williams and so many others returning, they discuss X-factors such as Omar Payne, Austin Hutcherson, Coleman Hawkins and Alfonso Plummer and they discuss how th...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner break down Saturday's game between Illinois (1-4) and Charlotte (3-1). The guys discuss challenges provided by Charlotte, which beat Duke in its opener, and what Illinois needs to do to win its first game in a month. The guys discuss whether the Illini need to make a quarterback change and how Tony Petersen can get his offense going. Then the guys di...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with former Illinois All-American linebacker J Leman about Illinois football's 13-9 loss at Purdue. Following four straight losses, the guys start with the positives, including the improvement with Ryan Walters' defense and a breakout performance from Josh McCray. Then Leman discusses whether Illinois needs to make a quarterback change after the offense failed...