Illini Inquirer Podcast: An Illinois Fighting Illini athletics podcast

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with lead basketball reporter Derek Piper about the impact freshman guards Adam Miller and Andre Curbelo on the Illinois basketball program. The guys break down their roles and their importance on an Illinois team that is a preseason top-10 team and what they mean for the program's long-term future. Extra reading Curbelo & Miller finding their niche in loa...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with Gopher Illustrated's Ryan Burns to preview Saturday's matchup between Illinois (0-2) and Minnesota (0-2). Burns breaks down the Gophers' Big Ten-worst defense and their biggest issues, and he also breaks down some concerns about Minnesota's talented offense behind Tanner Morgan, Rashod Bateman and Mohamed Ibrahim. Extra reading Know the Foe: Minnesota Gol...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with The 200 Level's Mike Carpenter about evaluating the Illini's 0-2 start to the 2020 season. The guys talk about the impact of COVID protocols knocking out more than a dozen players, Coran Taylor's performance and issues with Lovie Smith's defense. The guys look at the path forward for this season and the future. Extra reading Film review: Diagnosing the Il...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner reacts to Illinois football's 31-24 loss to Purdue. He discusses the absences of several key Illini players due to COVID-19 tests and contact tracing and what he made of fourth-stringer Coran Taylor's performance. He also discusses the Illini defense's struggles against the pass and what it means moving forward.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Derek Piper discuss Illinois basketball's Big Ten/ACC Challenge matchup with Duke and what it means for the program. The guys then discuss top-75 guard TyTy Washington's unofficial visit to the Illinois campus, his skill set, where Illinois stands with him and what he means for the Class of 2021. Extra reading Official: Illini to play at Duke in Big Ten/ACC Chal...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner previews Illinois football's Saturday showdown against Purdue with GoldandBlack.com's Tom Dienhart. The guys discuss Purdue's Week One win over Iowa, the availability of Rondale Moore and Jeff Brohm, QB Aidan O'Connell, RB Zack Horvath, WR David Bell, DL George Karlaftis, new DC Bob Diaco's impact on the defense and the keys to Saturday's game. Extra reading Werner:...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner discusses Wisconsin's COVID outbreak and Lovie Smith's comments about it. Then he chats with BTN analyst and former Illini great J Leman about Illinois football's disappointing 45-7 loss at Wisconsin, the biggest concerns from that game and Saturday's game vs. Purdue. Extra reading Amid Wisconsin COVID outbreak, Lovie Smith says Illini 'clean' Know the Foe: Purdue B...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with The 200 Level's Mike Carpenter about Illinois football's 45-7 loss at Wisconsin, including the offensive ineptitude and few costly defensive errors. The guys talk about how this impacts how they view the team going into the home opener against Purdue and the rest of the season before chatting about the Chicago Bears' Monday night matchup against the LA Ra...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with the Decatur Herald and Review's Joey Wagner react to the Illini's disappointing 45-7 loss at No. 14 Wisconsin. The guys chat about the offense getting shut out and where Rod Smith goes from here, the defense's blown coverages and a few bright spots. Extra reading Quick hits: Mertz, No. 14 Badgers dice up Illini in 45-7 rout Lovie Smith: 'We're a better fo...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with Josh Schafer of Badger247 to break down Wisconsin prior to Friday night's Big Ten opener in Madison. The guys discuss whether Wisconsin is "looking for revenge" after last year's upset in Champaign, what Graham Mertz brings at QB, who replaces Jonathan Taylor, if Wisconsin's OL is as good as normal and how the Badgers replace just a few holes on a defense...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with IlliniBoard.com's Robert Rosenthal to preview Friday's Big Ten opener between Illinois and Wisconsin. The guys break down how they'll evaluate this season, how Illinois stacks up in the Big Ten West, the biggest storylines on offense and defense and players they're most excited to see. Extra reading Werner: My 10 bold predictions for the 2020 Illini seaso...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with The 200 Level's Mike Carpenter about Illinois football's season opener at Wisconsin and expectations for the 2020 season. The guys break down what they want to see from the Illini offense and defense and what concerns they have against the Badgers. Extra reading Know the foe: Five questions with Josh Schafer from Badger247 Roundtable: Who is the Illini's...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Derek Piper preview the upcoming commitment decision for top-40 Illinois prospect Bryce Hopkins. Piper breaks down the 6-foot-7 forward's game, his recruitment and what he means for the Illini's Class of 2021. Extra reading Piper: Hopkins could sustain Illini's run in Big Ten title chase Snow's national recruiting notebook: Latest on Hopkins, Etienne Coming down...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with lead basketball reporter Derek Piper about the start of Illini basketball practice and the lead-up to a highly-anticipated, unprecedented 2020-21 season. The guys break down Brad Underwood's hour-long Zoom call with media, including the latest on injuries, the schedule, dealing with COVID-19 restrictions, the starting lineup, freshmen impacts and dealing...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner talks with The 200 Level's Mike Carpenter about Illinois football opening up on a Friday night and Illini football training camp storylines, including position battles, the quarterbacks and Luke Ford. Then the guys talk about top-100 basketball recruit Bryce Hopkins soon making a decision, the 4-1 Bears, LeBron James and MLB Playoffs.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner talks with former Illinois long snapper and Illini Radio Network sideline reporter Michael Martin to preview the 2020 Illinois special teams unit. He discusses Bob Ligashesky's impact on the Illini special teams unit during his tenure, how Big Ten Punter of the Year Blake Hayes can actually improve, James McCourt's rise as a kicker, long snapper Ethan Tabel's bigges...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with BTN analyst and former All-American LB J Leman to preview the 2020 Illinois linebackers. The guys chat about how Illinois will replace All-Big Ten First Team linebacker Dele Harding, what position shifts mean for seniors Jake Hansen and Milo Eifler and what the Illini need from strongside linebackers Khalan Tolson and Delano Ware. Extra reading 2020 Illin...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with former Illini safety Kevin Mitchell about his job as assistant director of development inside the Illinois athletics department, and Mitchell also helps preview the 2020 Illini secondary, including the returns of starters Nate Hobbs, Sydney Brown and Tony Adams, the development of Devon Witherspoon and the additions of Marquez Beason and Derrick Smith.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with The 200 Level's Mike Carpenter about getting ready for Illinois football opener at Wisconsin and the impact of Badgers QB Jack Coan's injury. Then the guys talk about the possibilities of the Illini hoops' nonconference schedule. In the final segment, the guys chat about the Chicago Bears' 19-11 loss to the Indianapolis Colts and how they feel as Bulls fa...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Derek Piper react to top-100 Class of 2021 wing Jordan Nesbitt committing to Memphis over Illinois. Piper breaks down how it happened, how it impacts the Illini's wing pursuits and what's next in the Class of 2021. The guys wrap up by talking about the potential 2020-21 basketball schedule. Extra reading What it means: Illini miss out on 4-star wing Jordan Nesbi...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with Illini Radio Network analyst and former Illini OL Martin O'Donnell to preview the 2020 Illini roster's biggest unknown: the defensive line. The guys discuss the loss of four starters and what Illinois has to replace them, who could take a big step forward of the returners and what transfer DT Roderick Perry adds to the group.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with Illini Radio Network analyst and former Illini OL Martin O'Donnell about the 2020 Illinois offensive line. The guys recap's the OL's performance last year, discuss the four returning starters' individual games, chat about the battle for the fifth offensive line starting spot and then set expectations for the 2020 group.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner talks with The 200 Level's Mike Carpenter about the 3-0 Bears, Jordan Nesbitt and the real start of Illini football training camp.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with former Illinois RB Dre Brown to preview the 2020 Illini running back room. The guys discuss what the losses of Dre Brown, Reggie Corbin and Ra'Von Bonner mean for the group, what Mike Epstein can add when healthy, expectations for transfer RB Chase Brown and how Jakari Norwood and Kenyon Sims can impact the group in Year Three at Illinois. The guys also c...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with former Illinois star WR Mike Dudek to preview the 2020 Illinois wide receivers. The guys chat about Ricky Smalling's departure, Josh Imatorbhebhe's breakout season, Donny Navarro's emergence, Casey Washington's freshman season, what to expect out of Trevon Sidney after an injury-plagued season and what the three new transfers can bring to Rod Smith's offe...