PODCAST · sports
Inside Illini Basketball
by News-Gazette Media
College basketball beat writer — and AP voter – Scott Richey weighs in on the sports he loves.
Episodes
-
Episode 217
What's the ceiling — the best case scenario — for Illinois this season? For the individual players that will drive whatever success the Illini have? Beat writer Scott Richey starts to break that down and discusses new commit Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn…
-
Episode 216: Best of the Big Ten?
College basketball practices started Monday across the country (and in Champaign). Beat writer Scott Richey has preseason polls and All-Big Ten teams to submit. It's the latter that's giving him trouble, and he discusses that and more in this week's…
-
Episode 215: Let the countdown begin
Practice starts next week. Preseason polls will drop in early October. College basketball is back, and beat writer Scott Richey discusses it all in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.
-
Episode 214: Man down
Beat writer Scott Richey breaks down Zacharie Perrin not joining Illinois this season, the Big Ten schedule (finally) and the near completion of Ubben Basketball Complex in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.
-
Episode 213: Got their guy
Illinois finally struck in the Class of 2023, landing a commitment from four-star forward Amani Hansberry. Beat writer Scott Richey breaks down Hansberry's additions and laments there's still no Big Ten schedule in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.
-
Episode 212: It's always basketball season
The college football season might start this week, but it's never not time to talk college hoops. In this week's Inside Illini Basketball that means beat writer Scott Richey weighing in on assistant coach Tim Anderson, recruiting and more.
-
Episode 211: The waiting game
The start of the 2022-23 college basketball season isn't all that far away, with official practices roughly a month-plus away. There's plenty to discuss in the interim, with beat writer Scott Richey discussing preseason rankings and recruiting in this week's…
-
Episode 210: The only true offseason
The Illinois basketball team — players and coaches — has scattered for the last break in the schedule before the new school year starts. So beat writer Scott Richey was on the hot seat, answering plenty of hoops questions in…
-
Episode 209: Wrapping up the summer
The 2022-23 schedule is out! Well, at least the nonconference portion. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses the ins and outs of a ho hum home slate, FIBA hoops in Turkey and recruiting (always) in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.
-
Episode 208: The real MVP?
Tim Anderson was hired a year ago ... and what a year it's been for the Illinois assistant coach, who led the recruitment on multiple key additions for the 2022-23 season. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses Anderson's impact, recruiting (always)…
-
Episode 207: Summer storylines
College basketball might never stop, but it can slow down a bit in the summer months. But there's still former Illinois standouts in the NBA Summer League, summer workouts on campus and recruiting. Always recruiting. Beat writer Scott Richey is…
-
Episode 206: Finally settled
The addition of French forward Zacharie Perrin should finalize the 2022-23 Illinois roster after some major retooling by Brad Underwood this offseason. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that, new addition to the Big Ten and recruiting in this week's Inside…
-
Episode 205: So you're saying there's a chance?
What will it take for Kofi Cockburn to make an NBA roster? Has the Big Ten/ACC Challenge gotten stale? Who are new names on Illinois' recruiting board? Beat writer Scott Richey tackles all of this in this week's Inside Illini…
-
Episode 204: Lights, camera, Illini!
Coleman Hawkins as an actor. Emoni Bates still in the transfer portal. Never-ending recruiting. It's summer, but there's still plenty to talk about. Beat writer Scott Richey covers it all in this week's episode of Inside Illini Basketball.
-
Episode 203: Ode to Ty Rodgers
The way Ty Rodgers played for gold medal-winning Team USA in the FIBA U18 Americas Championship didn't change how beat writer Scott Richey viewed the Illinois freshman. It just reinforced how impactful Rodgers might be in 2022-23. That and more…
-
Episode 202: New-look Illini coming together
Beat writer Scott Richey is back in the podcast booth with plenty to discuss from the increasingly new-look Illinois roster to Ty Rodgers' USA Basketball opportunity to the transfer portal and recruiting. That and more in this week's Inside Illini…
-
Episode 201: Kofi and the Combine
Kofi Cockburn had a good week at the NBA Draft Combine. A good enough week to better his draft chances? That's to be determined. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that, the ever-changing Big Ten and more in this week's Inside…
-
Episode 200: Underwood's return
Brad Underwood makes his second appearance on the podcast as Inside Illini Basketball reaches 200 episodes. The discussion with the Illini coach hits on the team's impressive freshman class and all the changes in college basketball since his last appearance…
-
Episode 199: Offseason slow down?
Now that Terrence Shannon Jr. is on board could May be a slower month for Illinois basketball? Beat writer Scott Richey says probably not in this week's Inside Illini Basketball. There's still scholarships to fill, a roster to complete and…
-
Episode 198: Boss move
Award-winning News-Gazette Editor Jeff D'Alessio, who back in the day covered the Illini under Lon Kruger, weighs in on the current, crazed state of college basketball - from the changing look of press row to rosters gone wild
-
Episode 197: Post-Kofi world
It's a simple statement of fact. Illinois without Kofi Cockburn is going to look much different in 2022-23. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that, recruiting, the transfer portal and more in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.
-
Episode 196: One Clark is good, two Clarks is better
Some breaking news to start off this week's Inside Illini Basketball, with beat writer Scott Richey discussing the commitment of 2024 guard ZZ Clark less than a week after his older brother, Skyy, signed with the Illini. Recruiting, as they…
-
Episode 195: April showers bring ... roster makeovers
Illinois added to its roster last week with the commitment of four/five-star guard Skyy Clark. That doesn't mean Brad Underwood and Co. are done remaking the team for 2022-23. Count on the rest of April being just as important in…
-
Episode 194: Busy offseason continues
Little will be settled about college basketball in the next month or three — Illinois included. That doesn't mean there's nothing to talk about. Far from it. Beat writer Scott Richey dives into the latest offseason happenings in this week's…
-
Episode 193: Transfer talk
Has an Illinois basketball player entered the transfer portal? Not yet. Will one or more? Perhaps. Are the Illini coaches already perusing the portal for new options? You bet. Beat writer Scott Richey breaks it down in this week's Inside…
-
Episode 192: End of the road
Beat writer Scott Richey reflects on the end of the Illinois basketball season (and another second round loss in the NCAA tournament) before looking forward to an uncertain 2022-23 (some change is assuredly coming) in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.
-
Episode 191: Let's dance
This year's NCAA tournament is one of redemption for Illinois. Last year's loss to Loyola Chicago still stings. The path to a tourney run begins in Pittsburgh and isn't entirely unfavorable. Beat writer Scott Richey breaks it down in the…
-
Episode 190: The champ is here
Illinois' sometimes terrific, sometimes turbulent 2021-22 regular season ended Sunday with a shared Big Ten title and court storming. Brad Underwood told the State Farm Center crowd the plan was to bring more trophies back to Champaign. Beat writer Scott…
-
Episode 189: Let the madness begin
Illinois enters the final week of the regular season still in Big Ten title contention with two games to play. The madness that is March just gets a head start. Beat writer Scott Richey breaks it down in this week's…
-
Episode 188: Fight to the finish
Plenty is on the line in the final two weeks of the regular season from a Big Ten title to individual awards and honors. So these next four games are rather important for Illinois. Beat writer Scott Richey breaks it…
-
Episode 187: The stretch run
Illinois sits alone in first place in the Big Ten with three weeks left in the 2021-22 season. Can the Illini play consistently enough to win a regular season title? Will RJ Melendez build off his breakout game against Northwestern?…
-
Episode 186: The climb continues
Illinois has stacked Quad I wins the last two weeks, which has facilitated both a rise up the AP Top 25 and the development of a better NCAA tournament résumé. Beat writer Scott Richey breaks that down — and much…
-
Episode 185: More work to be done
It was, in the end, a successful January for Illinois, with the month ending with some positive momentum, a top 10 win and a move up the AP Top 25. But there's more to be done. Beat writer Scott Richey…
-
Episode 184: Bounce back
How Illinois follows up its 0-2 week (and slide down the AP Top 25) will be important this week with an opportunity to pad its NCAA tournament résumé. Beat writer Scott Richey breaks it all down in his return to…
-
Episode 183: Boiled over, but Belo's back
Jim Rossow and Colin Likas from The News-Gazette are filling in for Scott Richey this week on Inside Illini Basketball. Colin breaks down the Illini Purdue game and looks ahead for Illini Basketball.
-
Episode 182: Gaining national traction
Illinois is back in the Associated Press Top 25 and has one of the leading candidates for national player of the year in Kofi Cockburn. So after some early stumbles, the Illini are starting to make a bit more noise…
-
Episode 181: Back in action
Illinois hasn't played since its pre-Christmas Braggin' Rights blowout thanks to a COVID-19 pause. Beat writer Scott Richey breaks down what it all means in this week's Inside Illini Basketball as Big Ten play resumes this week.
-
Episode 180: Post-Christmas blues
Illinois' final nonconference game (Wednesday against Florida A&M) was canceled because of COVID-19 issues in the Illini program. What will happen with Big Ten play set to resume this weekend? Beat writer Scott Richey addresses the news of the day…
-
Episode 179: Ending the year right
Illinois has just two more games in 2021. Two more tune ups before the Big Ten grind begins in earnest. That includes this week's Braggin' Rights game — one that's become borderline "must win." Beat writer Scott Richey breaks it…
-
Episode 178: Just not quite there
Illinois has played some good basketball of late, including a 2-0 start in the Big Ten with wins against Rutgers and Iowa. But the Illini can still reach another level. Need to, in fact, to reach some of their own…
-
Episode 177: Marquee matchup
Power programs playing each other at campus sites? Yes please. Saturday it will be Illinois vs. No. 11 Arizona at State Farm Center — an opportunity for the streaking Illini to get back in the AP Top 25. Beat writer…
-
Episode 176: Mix and match
Brad Underwood has pieced together a new starting lineup almost every game this season as injury and illness have ripped through the Illinois roster. Beat writer Scott Richey breaks down the state of the Illini as November comes to a…
-
Episode 175: It's time
High school basketball got underway Monday in Illinois. College basketball officially starts Tuesday with the first games of the season. Best time of the year — by far. Beat writer Scott Richey breaks it all down in this week's Inside…
-
Episode 174: Now it gets real
The exhibition season is over. The next time Illinois plays it will count. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses where the team stands — plus some recruiting — in this week's episode of Inside Illini Basketball.
-
Episode 173: What did we learn?
Illinois' first exhibition game at least provided an opportunity to see the team up close. Any other takeaways? They have to be tempered by the level of opponent. Beat writer Scott Richey dives deep in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.
-
Episode 172: Rankings game
Monday's release of the AP Top 25 preseason poll was another reminder that the college basketball season is right around the corner. Beat writer (and AP voter) Scott Richey discusses his ballot and the poll in this week's Inside Illini…
-
Episode 171: Full speed ahead to basketball season
Beat writer Scott Richey spent this past Saturday morning watching Illinois basketball's open practice. He breaks down what he saw — and why he feels validated for having the Illini as the No. 5 team in the country — in…
-
Episode 170: Off and running
The 2021-22 college basketball season is officially underway, and the Big Ten and AP preseason polls are due out soon. Beat writer Scott Richey votes in both and breaks down where Illinois might land in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.
-
Episode 169: It's time
The 2021-22 college basketball season starts this week. Beat writer Scott Richey breaks down where Illinois might wind up in the preseason Big Ten and AP Top 25 polls, discusses recruiting and previews the coming basketball coverage in The News-Gazette…
-
Episode 168: The countdown begins
The college basketball season starts 50 days from Monday. Even sooner if you factor in official practice (next week) and exhibition games (late October). Music to Illini fans' ears. Beat writer Scott Richey hits on that and more recruiting —…
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
College basketball beat writer — and AP voter – Scott Richey weighs in on the sports he loves.
HOSTED BY
News-Gazette Media
CATEGORIES
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Inside Illini Basketball have?
Inside Illini Basketball currently has 100 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Inside Illini Basketball about?
College basketball beat writer and AP voter Scott Richey weighs in on the sports he loves.
How often does Inside Illini Basketball release new episodes?
Inside Illini Basketball has 100 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Inside Illini Basketball?
You can listen to Inside Illini Basketball on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Inside Illini Basketball?
Inside Illini Basketball is created and hosted by News-Gazette Media.
URL copied to clipboard!