Illini Inquirer Podcast: An Illinois Fighting Illini athletics podcast

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with Scott Burgess and Derek Piper about the Illini's latest commitment from 2022 guard AJ Storr. Burgess breaks down Storr's rise from promising Illinois underclassman to national difference maker at Compass Prep in Arizona. He also looks ahead to other possible in-state targets for the Illini in the Classes of 2022 and 2023. Then Piper breaks down why the Il...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Derek Piper discuss how Adam Miller's transfer out affects the program and how Illinois will reshape its roster. Then the guys chat about what Florida transfer Omar Payne's commitment means for Illinois and what they could add next.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner react to news that Illini freshman guard Adam Miller has entered the transfer portal. The guys discuss why Miller would want to leave, what it means for the 2021-22 roster and the impact of the transfer portal on college basketball.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Derek Piper preview all the moving parts of a big Illini basketball offseason. The guys start by discussing the fallout of an early NCAA Tournament exit before chatting about retention of the current roster. Then the guys focus on talent accrual, including potential prep and transfer recruiting targets before chatting about the development of returning players,...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner break down the Illinois quarterback competition between Brandon Peters and Isaiah Williams, The guys discuss how the two very different quarterbacks would fit a new scheme and why first-year offensive coordinator Tony Petersen's recent comments were so interesting. The guys also discuss the long-term future at the position.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with The 200 Level's Mike Carpenter about how he's processing the pain of the Illini's early exit from the NCAA Tournament. The guys talk about what went so wrong and how the disappointing loss impacts the legacy of this team and Ayo Dosunmu. Then the guys look ahead to the offseason and how Illinois responds to the disappointing finish to a great season.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with former Illini guard Mike LaTulip about Loyola Chicago upsetting No. 1 seed Illinois 71-58 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The guys chat about what Loyola did to knock the Illini off their game on both ends of the court, and what Illini didn't do to respond. Then the guys chat about Ayo Dosunmu's NBA Draft stock, Kofi Cockburn's NBA decision an...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner, Derek Piper and Joey Wagner react to Illinois basketball's 78-49 rout of No. 16 seed Drexel in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The guys discuss the Illini overcoming early jitters to dominate the Dragons and standout play from Ayo Dosunmu, Kofi Cockburn and Trent Frazier as well as good contributions from the rest of the supporting cast. Then the guys dive...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner react to Bret Bielema's pre-spring press conference and preview the big storylines of spring ball, including offseason workouts under Tank Wright, the defensive scheme and the quarterback situation. The guys break down each of the position groups along the way.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner talks with former Illini guard Mike LaTulip about the No. 1-seeded Illini's chances in the NCAA Tournament. The guys discuss what actual "culture" means in college basketball and why it's important, as well as social-media interactions with fans. The guys also do a deep-dive on the impacts of Kofi Cockburn and Andre Curbelo before talking about the Illini's draw in...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with Mike Carpenter about a special Selection Sunday. The guys talk about the Illini's Big Ten Tournament victory, earning a No. 1 seed, the path to a Final Four and national championship as well as coaching turnover in the Big Ten. Then UI professor of computer sciences Sheldon Jacobson discusses the analytics of picking a winning bracket.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with FTNBets.com's Brad Evans about the No. 1-seeded Illini's draw in the NCAA Tournament. Evans breaks down a potential matchup with Loyola-Chicago or Georgia Tech in the Round of 32 and a juicy matchup with Oklahoma State in the Sweet Sixteen. The guys then look at the rest of the bracket and who got tough draws and Evans makes some upset picks before saying...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Derek Piper react to Illinois basketball's Big Ten Tournament title win, NCAA Tournament No. 1 seed and their bracket draw.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Derek Piper discuss Illinois basketball's 82-71 over Iowa to advance to the Big Ten Tournament title game. They guys praise the heck out of Kofi Cockburn's heavyweight win over Luka Garza, discuss big games from Ayo Dosunmu and Andre Curbelo and give a cap tip to the Illini-Hawkeyes rivalry over the last two seasons. Then the guys look ahead to the Big Ten title...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Derek Piper react live in Indianapolis to Illinois basketball's 90-68 rout of Rutgers in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals. The guys talk about how it felt to have thousands of fans at an Illini game for the first time this season and how it impacted the game before chatting about why the Illini dominated. Then the guys preview Saturday's semifinal showdown a...

Sean Evans, host of the YouTube show "Hot Ones" joins Illini Inquirer to talk about the basketball season and what it's meant to him as he watches the program from his home in New York. Evans is a 2009 Illinois graduate who has gone on to create a popular wing-eating talk show.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with University of Illinois alum and ESPN.com writer John Gasaway about his new book, his beloved Illini, being on the ground floor of the analytics movement in college basketball, the top stories in college basketball heading into March and his proposal to change bracketology and Selection Sunday forever.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner discusses Josh Whitman's open letter about the Big Ten denying Illinois basketball a share of the conference title, what it says about Kevin Warren's early commissioner tenure, why this matters so much for the Illini and the potential impact of his letter keeping alive this controversy. Then Joey dives into his Big Ten awards ballot before the guys e...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with former Illini basketball player Sean Harrington about Illinois basketball heading into the postseason with great momentum. Harrington discusses what he saw from Illinois during the last week of the season, including three straight top-25 road victories, and what he saw from Ayo Dosunmu in his return to help lead Illinois to a win at No. 7 Ohio State. Harr...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and The 200 Level Podcast's Mike Carpenter react to one of the most memorable weeks of recent Illinois basketball memory with the Illini winning three straight top-25 road wins, including wins at No. 2 Michigan and No. 7 Ohio State. The guys then dive into the debate about whether Illinois basketball should earn a share of the Big Ten title and Tuesday's announcemen...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner react to Illinois basketball's 73-68 win at No. 7 Ohio State. The guys discuss Ayo Dosunmu's return and his (again) late-game heroics to add another chapter to his ever-growing Illini legacy as well as Andre Curbelo's continued emergence as a key playmaker. The guys discuss why Illini fans will be upset about their Big Ten Tournament projected winner...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with Illinois associate athletics director Dr. Brian Russell about name, image and likeness and when and how it will impact Illini athletics. Who will gain from NIL, how will they gain from it and how much will they gain from it? How is Illinois preparing for this, what do they need to prepare for and how will they monitor it? And how will this change college...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Derek Piper discuss Illinois basketball's statement win at No. 2 Michigan and what it means moving forward. Piper sets the scene of what it was like watching an all-time dominant performance over one of college basketball's best teams without Ayo Dosunmu and some possible bad blood between Illinois and Michigan. Then the guys dive into what this 3-0 stretch with...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner discuss Illinois basketball's shockingly dominant 76-53 win at No. 2 Michigan with former Illini guard Mike LaTulip. The guys discuss what this win says about the players, coaches and program and also dive into how Illinois dominated defensively. Then the guys talk about what happens when Ayo Dosunmu returns to a team that has won back-to-back road g...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with The 200 Level Podcast's Mike Carpenter about Illinois basketball entering March. The guys discuss a program win at Wisconsin, Ayo Dosunmu's status and competing for a No. 1 seed entering the final week of the season. Then Werner previews the Illini's trip to No. 2 Michigan with WTKA's Ira Weintraub. The guys discuss why Juwan Howard's program has taken su...