Light The I

After 12 years as the athletic director at Eastern Illinois University, Tom Michael is back in Champaign as Illinois' new Deputy Director of Athletics. He was EIU's AD when EIU beat Illinois in exhibition basketball in 2017, Brad Underwood's first game as head coach. But before that, Michael was an administrator for Illinois after his standout playing days as a captain for Lou Henson and Illinois...

Illini men's tennis coach Brad Dancer joins Scott and Robert to discuss his 20+ years at the helm of the program. This episode is 100% tennis talk - from Flach & Seguso to Alcaraz vs. Sinner. 

Scott and Robert welcome Josh Whitman back to the podcast. In the first 30 minutes, they discuss their impressions of Whitman's media roundtable earlier in the day. And then they welcome the Illini AD into the studio to discuss all things Illini. 

Scott and Robert get caught up on everything that's been happening so far this summer: football recruiting, coaches being hired, the QB Club golf tournament, and the Brendan Sorsby drama (and how it relates to former Illini QB Dave Wilson). Plus new producer Kendall joins us for the first time. 

Never shy with his genuine opinion, Bob Asmussen as been covering Illinois sports since 1989 for the News-Gazette. He visits with Scott and Robert to discuss the beginning of his sports writing career, his Atlanta Braves and Hank Aaron fandom, whether he roots for the Illini, his relationship with coaches, how life changed after a heart attack and strokes, planting seeds for Robert's career, and h...

Scott was on the ground for Illini Night at the Cubs game and came back feeling something different about Illinois' connection in the city. He and Robert dig into Bret Bielema's comments there and whether this new energy for Illini athletics in Chicago is real. They also ponder whether men's basketball could enter the season as the preseason No. 1, react to the hiring of Jenna Hall as the new soft...

What's it like to be charged with assembling the roster for Illinois football? And in a profession with high turnover, how does someone stay one place for 14 seasons and work for four different head coaches? Illinois football general manger Pat Embleton shares with Scott and Robert his life, career and current job -- one that didn't even exist just a few years ago. Then, Scott and Robert answer mo...

Scott and Robert are back together in studio with preemptive reaction to Andrej Stojakovic's decision and other basketball updates. Then they open the mailbag from the Light the I audience. 00:00 Intro 02:58 Andre Stojakovic is going to... 18:36 Women's basketball items 21:25 Baseball season ends in the Big Ten Tourney 28:57 New traffic patters for football 33:48 Mailbag questions: the new defense...

Scott is in Omaha for Big Ten Baseball and Robert is on Grandkid Watch so this from-the-road episode covers Illini baseball, Illini in the NBA Draft, Robert wearing Final Four gear around St. Louis, and the difficulty of winning a Big Ten title with the west coast teams now part of the conference.

Barry Houser has been the Director of the Marching Illini since 2011. From bowl games to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade to NCAA basketball tournaments to Dublin, he's nearly done it all with Illini bands. Then last month brought came a first - performing at the Final Four. Houser reflects on the 2025-26 year for the MI, some of the lesser known but important band traditions, and preparing for...

Scott & Robert discuss the golf team's 2nd place finish in Oregon, the tennis team advancing to the Sweet 16, a coaching change in the softball dugout, and various comings and goings in Bielfeldt. Then producer Mazie gets a send-off before she graduates and heads off to the real world next week. To make a contribution to the American Brain Tumor Association, please visit: https://www.abta.org/

Scott and Robert are joined by Illini head coach Brad Underwood to discuss the 2026 season. Topics range from the Elite Eight game against Iowa, the star treatment of the team at the Final Four, his scheme changes over the years, and yes, the bull that ran across campus yesterday. Not his, he says.

If you're by chance an elite runner, this episode will get you through a 13.1 mile route. Otherwise your endurance might be tested if you can't wait for Scott and Robert to immediately discuss the latest Illini news - like the NFL draft and the upcoming NBA draft. But by the finish, you'll be glad you stayed the course.  00:00 Intro 04:10 Reviewing baseball series vs. No. 20 Nebraska 07:27 Scott a...

Several Illini football players are projected to be drafted to the NFL this weekend as spring football practices wrap up. Scott and Robert discuss that with comments from Bret Bielema. Plus, women's basketball is keeping all of their rotation from the last year, jean shorts are still a thing, and Robert has a new charitable cause.  00:00 Intro 03:16 Spring fashion  10:13 NFL Draft prospects for Il...

Scott and Robert discuss #TheRetention of the core of the Illini men's basketball basketball roster and key additions - including one from the St. Louis area - that are shaping high expectations for the 2026-2027 season. There's also a breakdown of a ranked Illinois baseball win in a memorable thriller. Plus, Illinois has a new national champion, backyard baseball rules, and signs(?) from water fo...

Coming off a second straight appearance in the second round of the NCAA Tournament and her third 20-win season, Illini women's basketball head coach Shauna Green joins the show to reflect on four successful seasons, roster retention and additions, and the high hopes for next season.  

Scott and Robert look back on the basketball season and try to frame the experience. And then they look forward to spring sports (especially the long jump). Also, producer Mazie recounts her trip to the Final Four. 

Scott and Robert discuss the Illini losing to UConn in the semifinal on Saturday. And then they try to put the entire season into perspective. Also, an update on Ella's Decision. 

Scott and Robert prepare for Saturday's national semifinal game against UConn, pondering everything from jersey choice to how Illinois matches up. 0:00 Intro 2:40 Color Talk 6:55 Team Send Off 15:00 Illini Final Four History 27:30 The 2026 Illini 40:49 Lucas Oil Stadium Setup 44:45 Coleman Hawkins 47:45 Final Vibe Check

There's really no description necessary for this one. The Illini are in the Final Four. Illinois basketball is 80 minutes away from a national title. Scott and Robert sit down in studio to try to put words to it all.

Scott and Robert take 25 minutes - Scott from broadcasting baseball in State College, Robert from his hotel room in Houston - to discuss the Illini beating Houston 65-55 to reach the Elite Eight. Sorry, the ILLite Eight. 

On the day before the Sweet Sixteen, Scott and Robert preview the Illinois-Houston matchup, and somehow opera is part of the conversation.

Scott and Robert marvel at Illinois earning a berth into the men's Sweet 16, but Robert must cope with the fact that Iowa did so too. Plus: women's hoops wins a tournament game for the second straight year, spring football news, diamond sports review, a golf update, listener feedback, and Illini-themed crustaceans. 00:00 Intro 01:27 Illini in a Sweet 16 - again! 11:35 Does Robert have IDS? 26:55 B...

Scott and Robert discuss the Illini crushing Penn 105-70 in the first round. They discuss the dominating performances from the Illini freshmen, the second half surge, and then try to contextualize the Illini's 65 second-half points. 

Scott and Robert welcome author and Illini alum Will Leitch to the program to discuss the 2026 Illini in the NCAA Tournament.