PODCAST · sports
Inside Illini Basketball
by Champaign Multimedia Group
College basketball beat writer and AP voter Scott Richey weighs in on the sports he loves with insight on Illini basketball.
Episodes
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Episode 420: Illini are elite
Illinois officially staked its claim as one of the top teams in the country this week, landing at No. 3 in the Associated Press Top 25 preseason poll. Brad Underwood's squad certainly looked like it in its 105-96 exhibition victory at Cincinnati that saw six players in double figures and freshman...
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Episode 419: Exhibition season
Illinois will be in action for the first time this weekend with a Saturday date in Cincinnati with the Bearcats. The first of three exhibition games on the schedule might not count, but it will provide an opportunity to see what this team is all about — even if David Mirkovic likely won't be...
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Episode 418: Preseason favorites
The results of the annual preseason Big Ten media poll came as expected Monday morning. Illinois is the projected favorite to cut down the nets in 2026-27. How many Big Ten titles that might mean — and if that act is repeated in Detroit in April — is what will be decided in the next seven months....
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Episode 417: Retention just wasn't for the roster
Bringing back seven players and five key rotation pieces from a Final Four team? That was a big deal for Illinois this offseason. Equally as important, though, was Brad Underwood keeping his entire coaching staff together — from associate head coach Orlando Antigua to even some graduate…
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Episode 416: Thoughts on a five-star weekend
Illinois had a quartet of five-star recruits on campus this past weekend. That's what happens when you make the Final Four and now regularly boast one-and-done first-round draft picks. Beat writer Scott Richey spoke with Darius Wabbington, Moussa Kamissoko, Bentley Lusakueno and Dylan Betts last...
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Episode 415: Ten things our beat writer knows about Illinois
The start of the 2026-27 college basketball season is within sight. Practices will ramp up at the end of this month ahead of October exhibitions and early November openers across the country. A perfect time for beat writer Scott Richey to weigh in on 10 things he thinks he knows about Illinois in...
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Episode 414: Busy weekend ahead
Past Illinois basketball stars and potential future stars will be on campus this weekend, with the Illini bringing back new Hall of Fame inductees Ayo Dosunmu and James Augustine and expecting five-star guard NaVorro Bowman Jr. for an official visit. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and…
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Episode 414: Focus shifts to fall
Workouts are underway again at Ubben Basketball Complex with the majority of the team back from their summer vacations save for Tomislav Ivisic, who is stuck in Croatia. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that, a finalized 15-man roster, the Illinois coaching staff and expectations for Andrej...
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Episode 413: Vibes remain high
Summer is officially over with classes resuming this week in Champaign. That means the college basketball season is right around the corner. Practices start in a month, then a series of exhibition games and before you know it that Nov. 2 season opener will be here. Illinois will enter this...
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Episode 412: Planning ahead
There's still a week left before the 2026-27 Illinois basketball team returns to campus, so the brief summer slowdown mostly continues. Except on the recruiting front, with five-star visitors Brady Pettigrew and Darius Wabbington set to spend some time in Champaign. Roster building has taken on a...
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Episode 411: Summer slow down
Summer workouts wrapped up last week for Illinois, with the players (and coaches) getting a short break before preparation resumes for the 2026-27 season. Fall work that will happen, of course, without David Mirkovic for an indeterminate amount of time while he recovers from early August foot...
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Episode 410: End of summer quiz
Illinois will close out its summer workouts this week. With the new school year is just around the corner we quizzed beat writer Scott Richey on all things Illinois basketball, including the state of this year's team, what's next for some former players and a diversion into the music world with a...
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Episode 409: Ubben's a happy place
Brad Underwood has plenty going on to make him happy as summer nears its unofficial end. Stefan Vaaks is back and getting reacclimated with his teammates. Andrej Stojakovic is healthy again. Important steps toward locking in on the court. Off the court, Illinois is bringing in more money courtesy...
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Episode 408: A visit with Loren Tate
The dean of Big Ten sportswriters and a U.S. Basketball Writers Association Hall of Famer, News-Gazette columnist Loren Tate is as high on Brad Underwood's program as anyone around. The man behind 'Tatelines' joins Inside Illini Basketball to explain his optimism — and revisit the aftermath of…
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Episode 407: Summer hoops
Las Vegas has become the center of the basketball world. Particularly this past weekend with NBA Summer League ongoing and Nike taking its EBYL circuit to the desert. Both had plenty of Illinois-centric storylines between a dozen former Illinois standouts (short timers included) playing in Summer...
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Episode 406: Vaaks a pealtpanek for Illinois
That's "slam dunk" in Estonian, and adding the Tabasalu native out of the transfer portal was exactly that for Illinois this offseason. Vaaks fits the mold Brad Underwood prefers with positional size and shooting and no glaring gap in his overall skill set. A combination that's worked well for…
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Episode 405: Summer of opportunity
Workouts continue for Illinois, with the whole team save for Stefan Vaaks (back in Estonia for World Cup qualifiers) on campus and putting in the summer grind. David Mirkovic has been among the summer standouts — both on the court and for his work with strength and conditioning coach Adam…
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Episode 404: Good vibes only
This is a big week for Illinois with Keaton Wagler (and maybe Kylan Boswell) in the 2026 NBA Draft and the second week of summer workouts underway at Ubben Basketball Complex. Lottery pick. Reports of an impressive 2026-27 team in Champaign. Things really are coming up Illinois. Beat writer Scott...
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Episode 403: Summer grind
Roster retention put Illinois in position to be considered one of the top teams in the country heading into the 2026-27 season. But there are still roles to fill in the rotation, including a rather notable Keaton Wagler-sized hole. Figuring out a familiar, but still semi-new look roster and...
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Episode 402: Impressive, if not golden
Quentin Coleman was the most consistent player on the court for Team USA during its entire FIBA U18 AmeriCup run and the only American to make the All-Star Five. The one nitpick? It only came with a silver medal. But Coleman's performance in Leon, Mexico, further strengthened the idea he can be…
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Episode 401: Preseason hype ... in June
Illinois was a clear winner following the NBA draft early entrant withdrawal deadline. Andrej Stojakovic's return to Champaign for the 2026-27 season — full retention — raises Illinois' floor and ceiling. It's not crazy to think about Detroit and another Final Four. Maybe even that elusive…
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Episode 400: Special guest Brad Underwood
Illinois coach Brad Underwood joins our Scott Richey for another milestone episode of Inside Illini Basketball and a wide-ranging conversation that hit on the Final Four run, building the 2026-27 roster, Underwood's contract extension and the growth of college basketball.
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Episode 399: Everything's coming up Illinois
The NBA draft is less than two months away, with Keaton Wagler still projected as a high lottery pick. Brad Underwood is in line for a contract extension and raise (and so is his coaching staff). Several Illinois players could have national team opportunities around the world. Everything's coming...
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Episode 398: Diving into the draft
This week is an important one for Illinois' Keaton Wagler, Kylan Boswell and Andrej Stojakovic with the NBA draft combine . Beat writer Scott Richey will eventually join them in Chicago, but until then he breaks down all things draft related to the likely lottery pick and the other two trying to...
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Episode 397: Offseason Q&A
Beat writer Scott Richey answers a series of questions during this week's Inside Illini Basketball, including the NBA draft future for a trio of Illinois standouts, where David Mirkovic ranks among the best players in the Big Ten heading into the 2026-27 season and just how may two-pointers Jake...
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Episode 396: Illini and the NBA
Keaton Wagler projects as a lottery pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Kylan Boswell could go from Champaign to the league if his second-round projection holds. Andrej Stojakovic is testing the draft waters. Illinois sending guards to the NBA has become a trend, and Ayo Dosunmu is making an even bigger...
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Episode 395: Offseason success
Last week solidified Illinois as legitimate contender as the preseason No. 1 team in the country. Retention was the offseason priority in Champaign, and Brad Underwood and Co. were able to follow through by bringing back everyone possible from last season's Final Four rotation except for…
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Episode 394: Big week coming?
A newsworthy weekend jumpstarted Illinois' offseason, with one expected goodbye (Keaton Wagler to the NBA), a major transfer addition (Providence transfer Stefan Vaaks) and two Balkans hitting the portal (Mihailo Petrovic and Toni Bilic). Brad Underwood and Co. are still waiting for the most...
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Episode 393: Commence roster reconstruction
The transfer portal officially opens April 7 even if hundreds of players have already made their intentions to leave their current college basketball home clear. The better to be tampered with, of course. But the best case scenario for Illinois might be to only have to dabble in the portal....
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Episode 392: Final Four! Final Four!
Illinois is back in the Final Four for the first time in 21 years with a team that has as good a chance to win the whole thing as any that will make their way to Indianapolis this weekend. An All-American point guard. Multiple stretch bigs. A couple of slashers. Not to mention a defense improving...
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Episode 391: How sweet it is
Illinois is back in the Sweet 16 for the second time in three years after romping its way through two rounds in Greenville, S.C. Next up? A Sweet 16 showdown with Houston ... in Houston. A challenge for Kylan Boswell and Co., but one that can be cleared as one of the best offenses in the country...
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Episode 390: Going to Greenville
Did Illinois play well enough down the stretch in the regular season or in the Big Ten tournament to land in St. Louis for the opening round of the NCAA tournament? No. Losing four of eight to end the regular season and then go one-and-done in the Big Ten tournament sent Illinois into March…
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Episode 389: Postseason push
With the regular season in the books, all eyes now turn to Chicago and the Big Ten tournament. An opening act for the NCAA tournament, sure, but a place where Illinois can build some momentum with a shot at multiple résumé-boosting wins. The Big Ten will announce its season awards before games…
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Episode 388: A "get right" week
Games against Oregon and Maryland in the final week of the regular season couldn't have come at a better time for an Illinois team that has lost four of its last six games, playing itself out of Big Ten regular season championship contention and putting a No. 2 seed in the NCAA tournament at...
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Episode 387: The stretch run
Winning a share of the Big Ten regular season title certainly got much more difficult after a split the Los Angeles trip. Now, Illinois has to do what it can to protect its spot on the No. 2 seed line for the NCAA tournament. Beating Michigan on Friday would certainly help. Not losing to Oregon…
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Episode 386: Westward bound
Illinois got back on track with Sunday's blowout win against Indiana. Turns out getting Kylan Boswell back in the lineup was a big deal. A return that came just in time for a pivotal West Coast trip, with games against USC and UCLA that will either keep Illinois in the hunt for a Big Ten regular...
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Episode 385: True or false?
Beat writer Scott Richey fields a series of true or false statements concerning Illinois. Up for debate? Big Ten officiating, the timeline for Kylan Boswell's return, Illinois' place as a Big Ten championship contender and more all discussed in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.
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Episode 384 : On the Road Again
Scott Richey and Loren Tate team up to discuss Illinois' big win at Nebraska and the potential of landing a Number 1 seed for the NCAA tournament in this week's Inside Illini Basketball podcast.
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Episode 383: The Keaton Wagler Show
Nine straight wins. Five on the road in Big Ten play. Scoring and shooting records getting reset by a star freshman. A rise in the national rankings. Illinois is in a good place after another 2-0 week included Keaton Wagler's record-setting performance at Purdue. Illinois has legitimized itself…
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Episode 382: Game of the year?
Illinois has an opportunity to cement its place among the legimtiate Big Ten title contenders — and the best teams in the country — Saturday afternoon in West Lafayette, Ind. (With the idea mid-week business is handled against Maryland). It's that weekend matchup with Purdue, though, that stands…
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Episode 381: Take that for data!
The computers love Illinois this season mostly because Keaton Wagler, Kylan Boswell and Co. have teamed up to produce a top three offense and top 20 defense after some serious improvement on the defensive end the last month. Illinois will put its five-game winning streak on the line this week…
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Episode 380: Can Illinois take advantage of important Big Ten stretch?
Whoever set Illinois' Big Ten schedule put together a favorable first half of league play. A series of winnable games — both at home and on the road — that could help Illinois match preseason expectations (contending for a conference title) with in-season results (actually contending for a...
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Episode 379: Momentum high with Big Ten play resuming
Illinois played its most complete game of the season in its Braggin' Rights blowout against Missouri. Exactly the kind of performance that needs to be repeated in Big Ten play. Will they all be 43-point blowouts? No, but if Illinois can generate enough rebounding and defense to match its...
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Episode 378: Holiday hoops talk
College basketball takes a bit of a hiatus during the holidays. Games are few and far between. Players get a little time with their families. Coaches schedule more practices because class isn't an issue. So it's a different kind of busy this week. Beat writer Scott Richey provides a little…
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Episode 377: Don't panic just yet
Losing at home to Nebraska was not the end of the world for Illinois. It wasn't great, of course, particularly after starting Big Ten play with a road win at Ohio State, but there's plenty of season for Brad Underwood and Co. to accomplish what they intend to this season. Illinois will just need...
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Episode 376: Shifting gears
Big Ten play started last week across the conference. Illinois will play its two early league games this week, with a road trip to Ohio State and a home game against Nebraska. Illinois will do so with some positive momentum following its double-digit win against Tennessee — a game that doubled as...
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Episode 375: Opportunity awaits in December
Was the Black Friday game against Connecticut a snapshot of Illinois at its best? No, but it's also no reason to start hitting the panic button. Opportunities await this month for a talented Illinois team to bolster its résumé — starting Saturday in Nashville, Tenn., against Tennessee. Beat…
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Episode 374: Scoring in bunches
How far can a high-powered offense take Illinois this season? It's a relevant question given how productive the offense has been and how competitive Illinois has looked because of it. A high-powered offense that might be necessary this week with a Black Friday showdown with Connecticut at Madison...
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Episode 373: On the rise
The first two weeks of the college basketball season have proven two things our Scott Richey thought heading into the year — Illinois has a real depth of talent and is, in fact, one of the best teams in the country. Last week's win against Texas Tech reinforced both ideas and propelled Illinois…
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Episode 372: Big-time matchup
Illinois cruised through the opening week of the college basketball season, dominating Jackson State and Florida Gulf Coast. The challenge increases dramatically with Tuesday's game against Texas Tech and two other high-profile games this month against Alabama and Connecticut. It's one thing to...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
College basketball beat writer and AP voter Scott Richey weighs in on the sports he loves with insight on Illini basketball.
HOSTED BY
Champaign Multimedia Group
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Inside Illini Basketball have?
Inside Illini Basketball currently has 300 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 with insight on Illini basketball.
How often does Inside Illini Basketball release new episodes?
Inside Illini Basketball publishes regularly with 300 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
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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 Champaign Multimedia Group.
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