PODCAST · sports
Talk Illini
by Sunny
Talk Illini is your go-to daily show for everything Illinois Fighting Illini. Hosted by Sunny Verma & Jonathan Rhoades, Talk Illini delivers in-depth coverage of Illini football and men’s basketball, while also highlighting recruiting news, women’s basketball, and other standout programs across the university.From game previews and postgame breakdowns to player profiles, recruiting updates, and analysis of the biggest Big Ten and national stories, Talk Illini gives fans a balanced mix of insider insight and passionate discussion.
Episodes
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Who Is Calling Illinois’ Defense? Bielema Isn’t Saying | Illini Podcast
Illinois football has undergone a stunning defensive change just four games into the season, with defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck parting ways with the program.On this episode of Talk Illini, Sunny Verma is joined by Orange and Blue News editor and publisher Doug Buschon to break down what went...
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RAPID REACTION: Illinois Lands WR Bennett Konkey, Beat Other Big Ten Competition | Illini Podcast
Illinois football continues to build momentum on the recruiting trail with the commitment of 3-star Geneva wide receiver Bennett Konkey.Today we break down why Konkey is one of the fastest-rising prospects in the Midwest, what makes him such a dangerous weapon, how Barry Lunney Jr. and Justin…
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BREAKING: Andrej Stojakovic Returning Cements Illinois as a TITLE CONTENDER | Illini Podcast
The wait is finally over. Andrej Stojakovic officially announced he is returning to Illinois for the 2026-27 season after withdrawing from the NBA Draft, and Illini fans finally got the news they’ve been waiting weeks to hear. Today, we break down why this decision completely changes the ceiling...
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PRIORITY: Illini Basketball CANNOT Let 2028 Top Recruit Cole Kelly Leave the State | Illini Podcast
Cole Kelly is rapidly becoming one of the biggest basketball recruits in the country — and Illinois was the FIRST program to believe in him. In this episode, I break down why the 6-foot-7 Neuqua Valley star should be one of Brad Underwood’s top priorities in the 2028 class. From his elite...
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Why Brady Pettigrew Should Be Illinois Basketball’s TOP Priority | Illini Podcast
Brady Pettigrew is quickly becoming one of the hottest young basketball recruits in the country — and I believe Illinois basketball should make him one of its biggest priorities. In this episode, I break down why Pettigrew’s game fits Brad Underwood’s system so perfectly, why Illinois’ recent...
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PORTAL: Could the Illini Consider Bringing Back DGL to Fill Guard Role? | Illini Podcast
With the transfer portal closed, Sunny along with help from Ryan from the Bleed Orange and Blue Podcast dissect possible options for Illinois to bring in to shore up the roster. First stop? Old friend Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn. --------------------------Join the Talk Illini Discord!...
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PORTAL: Could the Illinois Be DONE Making Moves? Evaluating the Roster | Illini Podcast
In today's episode of Talk Illini, Sunny looks at the Illini roster and comes to the conclusion that based on prior history Brad Underwood may actually be done with the transfer portal and not looking to make any more moves.--------------------------Join the Talk Illini Discord!...
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Illinois Loses Freshman Guard – What Will Underwood Do in the Portal Next?
Illinois basketball news just dropped as freshman guard Brandon Lee has entered the transfer portal right before the deadline. In this episode of Talk Illini, JR breaks down why the move isn't surprising given limited playing time behind a stacked roster featuring returning talent like David...
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BOOM: Zavier Zens COMMITS to Illinois – BIG Recruiting News | Illini Podcast
Illinois basketball news just dropped — Zavier Zens has committed to the 2026 class! In this episode of Talk Illini, JR breaks down the latest recruiting news as Wisconsin Mr. Basketball Zavier Zens officially joins Brad Underwood's Illini. From his dominant senior season to why he chose Illinois...
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BREAKING: Andrej Stojakovic COMING BACK to the Illini, #RetentionComplete! | Illini Podcast
Illinois basketball news: Andrej Stojakovic is returning as a key returning player for his senior season with the Illini! JR from Talk Illini breaks down this huge announcement, roster impact with David Mirkovic and Tomislav Ivisic, potential starting lineup, culture fit, and John Blackwell...
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BREAKING: The BALKANS (and Jake Davis) ARE BACK! | Illini Announce Four Players Returning!
--------------------------Join the Talk Illini Discord! https://discord.gg/cN9XCg9SReach out to [email protected] for business inquiries!--------------------------"Talk Illini" is your go-to source for all things Illinois Fighting Illini, hosted by Sunny Verma & Jonathan Rhoades in partnership...
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BREAKING: Illinois QB Recruiting Takes Hit with Lopati Decommitting | What Happens Next...
Illinois football news just dropped a tough one: four-star 2027 QB Kamden Lopati has decommitted from the Illinois Fighting Illini. In this episode of Talk Illini, JR breaks down exactly what happened, why the decommit occurred, Michigan and Notre Dame as the top frontrunners, Bret Bielema's...
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BREAKING: Illinois Get Top Transfer Target Stefan Vaaks | New Lineup Projections?
JR & Sunny discuss the big news of Sunday where former Providence guard Stefan Vaaks has committed to the Illini. On today's episode we discuss his fit on the team and what the chances are the Illini will still aggressively pursue John Blackwell. --------------------------Join the Talk Illini...
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BREAKING: Illini Guard Mihailo Petrovic to Enter Transfer Portal | What REALLY Happened?
Mihailo Petrovic has officially entered the transfer portal, and it raises a big question for Illinois basketball fans: what actually went wrong?In this episode, Sunny breaks down Petrovic’s short but intriguing time in Champaign—from the high expectations when he arrived as an Adriatic League...
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Illinois Leads on Prediction Machine for John Blackwell Transfer – Latest Update | Illini Podcast
llinois basketball news just got exciting — JR breaks down the latest smoke and rumors that Illinois now leads for top transfer portal target John Blackwell. With his father’s Illinois playing history, a strong family connection, and intel from a Wisconsin insider, things are trending favorably…
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Zavier Zens Illinois Visit: Underwood's Next Hidden Gem?
Illinois basketball news just got interesting — Zavier Zens Visit to Illinois is here. JR and Sonny dive deep into the 2026 Wisconsin Mr. Basketball's official visit, how the 6'7" shooter could fit in Brad Underwood's offense, similarities to Keaton Wagler, playing time questions with four…
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Illinois vs UConn Reaction | Not the Illini's Night
Illinois falls to UConn in the Final Four… but this wasn’t a blowout.Despite the final score, the Illini matched UConn in most areas — from rebounding to overall shooting percentage — and executed much of their game plan. The difference? Three-point shooting and a few key bounces.In this episode…
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FINAL FOUR: Mirkovic vs Karaban? Reed vs Ivisic? Breaking Down the Key Matchups | Illini Podcast
Sunny and JR are back with another Talk Illini episode, diving deeper into the HUGE Final Four matchup between Illinois and UConn.In this episode, we go position-by-position and compare the starters:Which backcourt has the edge?Can Illinois match UConn’s size and depth?Key player matchups that…
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Illinois Final Four EDGE vs UConn – Final Four Breakdown
Illinois basketball news: JR and Sunny break down the Illinois vs UConn Final Four matchup with key advantages and disadvantages for Brad Underwood's Illini. Size edge with David Mirkovic, Keaton Wagler dominance, Tomislav Ivisic stretch, offensive rebounds vs Tarris Reed, UConn defense concerns,...
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DIFFERENT: WHICH Changes Give Illinois the EDGE vs UConn | Illini Podcast
Illinois basketball news: JR and Sunny break down the biggest differences between Illinois and UConn heading into the Final Four after their November matchup. Keaton Wagler, David Mirkovic, Brad Underwood, and the shift from veteran-led offense to freshmen dominance, elite rebounding, and...
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DIFFERENT: Rebounding & Roster Changes Give Illinois Edge vs UConn | Illini Podcast
Illinois basketball news: JR drops 5 things he learned watching UConn vs Duke ahead of the huge Illinois vs UConn Final Four matchup. David Mirkovic, Keaton Wagler, Brad Underwood, and the Illini face a veteran Huskies squad that just stunned Duke. Illinois Final Four scouting report breaks down...
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Stojakovic Spark and Wagler Heroics Power Illinois Victory to the Final Four
Illinois basketball news, David Mirkovic, Keaton Wagler, Brad Underwood, Illinois vs Iowa, Iowa vs Illinois – JR and Sunny break down the Fighting Illini’s gritty 71-59 Elite Eight win over Iowa to advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2005. They discuss the back-and-forth battle,...
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Illinois' Defensive Masterclass Sends Them to Elite Eight | Illini Podcast
Illinois basketball news, David Mirkovic, Keaton Wagler, Brad Underwood, Illinois vs Houston, Houston vs Illinois — JR breaks down the Fighting Illini’s huge 65-55 Sweet 16 victory over No. 2 Houston in the 2026 NCAA Tournament! Illinois advances to the Elite Eight with a dominant defensive...
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Are the Illini Playing Their BEST BASKETBALL Ahead of their Sweet Sixteen Matchup vs Houston?
Illinois is heading to the Sweet 16 — and now the real test begins.The Illini take on Houston in a matchup that many thought would be a nightmare… but is it actually the opposite? In this episode of Talk Illini, JR and Sunny Verma break down why Illinois might actually be a difficult matchup for...
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Recruiting Updates w/ Allen Trieu | Could the Illini be on Verge of Losing Their 4 Star Commit?
Bret Bielema is entering Year 6 at Illinois, and one of his biggest promises when he arrived was simple: keep Illinois talent in state.But how is that plan really going?In this episode of Talk Illini, Sunny Verma is joined by Allen Trieu to discuss the reputation of Bielema and the Illini program...
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POSTGAME: David Mirkovic DOMINATES in Ilinois 78-72 Victory, But Are the Illini Limping Into March?
Illinois closed the regular season with a tough road win at Maryland, defeating the Terrapins 78–72 and locking up a top-four finish in the Big Ten. The story of the afternoon was David Mirkovic, who dominated inside with 22 points and 11 rebounds while anchoring the Illini offense throughout the...
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RECAP: Stojakovic Shines as Illinois Crushes Oregon | Illini Podcast
Illinois Basketball News: Illini Crush Oregon 80-54 on Senior Night!Dive into this Illinois vs Oregon recap where JR breaks down the big win, including AJ Redd's exciting points, Andrej Stojaković's downhill drives, David Mirkovic's physical defense, and key Illinois basketball takeaways from the...
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Can Illinois Stop Dusty May’s Michigan Team? Full Game Preview | Illini Podcast
Friday night under the lights in Champaign — it doesn’t get much bigger than Illinois vs. Michigan.On this episode of Talk Illini, Sunny Verma and Carson Boundss are joined by Clayton Sayfie of The Wolverine to break down one of the most intriguing matchups on the Big Ten calendar. We dive into…
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BACK TO WINNING: Kylan Boswell Returns as Illinois Crushes Indiana 71-51
--------------------------Join the Talk Illini Discord! https://discord.gg/cN9XCg9SReach out to [email protected] for business inquiries!--------------------------"Talk Illini" is your go-to source for all things Illinois Fighting Illini, hosted by Sunny Verma & Jonathan Rhoades in partnership...
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EXPERT: Bobby Hauck Introduced as New Defensive Coordinator | Did Bielema Get His Guy??
Illinois football introduced Bobby Hauck — and if you listened closely to his opening press conference, you could hear the blueprint for where this defense is headed.This wasn’t just coordinator clichés. Hauck talked about multiplicity, disguise, creating chaos for opposing quarterbacks, and...
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Illinois’ Winning Streak Ends at Breslin, Lose 85-82 in an OT Heartbreaker | Illini Podcast
--------------------------Join the Talk Illini Discord! https://discord.gg/cN9XCg9SReach out to [email protected] for business inquiries!--------------------------"Talk Illini" is your go-to source for all things Illinois Fighting Illini, hosted by Sunny Verma & Jonathan Rhoades in partnership...
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RAPID REACTION: Bret Bielema Loses KEY ASSISTANT to the NFL! What's Happening?
Illinois football is losing another key piece of its defensive staff. Defensive line coach Terrance Jamison is headed to the NFL, joining the Buffalo Bills as their new defensive line coach. The move comes as Bret Bielema continues to overhaul the defensive side of his program following multiple...
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Illinois Handles Business With 40 Blowout of Northwestern — Now All Eyes on Michigan State
Illinois crush Northwestern with a dominant 84-44 win, sparking talk of a deep March run. Can the Illini sustain this elite form against rivals like Michigan State?Sunny Verma and Carson Bounds break down Illinois’ high-powered offense, defensive improvements, and individual standouts. The...
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STATEMENT MADE: Illini Show Growth in 78-69 Victory Over Nebraska | Illini Podcast
Illinois didn’t just beat Nebraska — they showed who they are becoming.The No. 9 Illini walked into Pinnacle Bank Arena, one of the loudest environments in college basketball, and took control when it mattered most. The result was a 78–69 road win over a Nebraska team that hadn’t lost at home in...
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DEBATE: Keaton Wagler is the BEST PLAYER (NOT Just Freshman!) in the BIG TEN | Illini Podcast
We all agree on one thing: Keaton Wagler has locked up Big Ten Freshman of the Year.But here’s the real question — why aren’t we talking about something bigger?In this episode, I make the case that Keaton Wagler should be a legitimate Big Ten Player of the Year candidate, and that if Illinois…
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Illinois vs Washington Recap: Good Play Continues For the Illini Ahead Of Nebraska Clash!
ILLINOIS basketball news: Dive into the latest recap of Illinois vs Washington, where the Illini secured a 75-66 win! Keaton Wagler shines with 22 points and 8 assists, leading Illinois to their 10th straight victory. Ben Humrichous adds 14 points in a gritty battle. Washington vs Illinois...
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Must-Win? Illinois vs Purdue Battle for Big Ten Title Stakes | Preview & Predictions
ILLINOIS basketball news: Dive into the latest on Kylan Boswell's injury impacting Illinois vs Purdue at Mackey Arena. JR and Sunny break down the matchup, including Illinois basketball prediction, size advantages, and keys to victory in this Big Ten clash. Purdue vs Illinois preview covers…
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Illinois' Bench Gives A HUGE Boost vs Minnesota Leading to the Win | Illini Podcast
Illinois Basketball News: Dive into our recap of the thrilling Illinois vs Minnesota game! Illinois secures a 77-67 win over Minnesota, extending their streak to seven. Standouts like Zvonimir Ivisic (Big Z) with 18 points and Keaton Wagler shining bright. Full breakdown of defense, key plays…
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RECAP: Illini Beat Maryland 89-70, Is the Illini Offense BETTER With Jake Davis? | Illini Podcast
Illinois secures a commanding 89-70 win over Maryland, raising the stakes with Kylan Boswell sidelined and a pivotal Purdue clash looming. Can Andrej Stojakovic’s breakout performance—featuring a 30-point night and lockdown defense—propel the Fighting Illini to new heights? JR and Sunny Verma…
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Xavier Scott BACK at Illinois! What It Means for Aaron Henry + Portal and Recruiting News
ILLINOIS FOOTBALL NEWS: Xavier Scott RETURNS for 2025! Aaron Henry reloads the defense with Scott, Miles Scott, Juice Clarke, and more. Kamden Lopati headlines Junior Day visitors, plus transfer portal rumors on Keona Davis, Parker twins, and DL help. Illinois football recruiting 2025 updates!In...
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FINALLY!: Illinois BEATS Northwestern in Evanston 79-68 | Is Tomislav Ivisic BACK?!
Illinois goes into Evanston and finally gets the job done. No. 13 Illinois knocks off Northwestern 79–68 for a sixth straight win, and this one felt like a real “grown-up” performance in a building that has been a problem lately. Keaton Wagler once again took over in the second half, but the…
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VICTORY: Illinois Beats Iowa on the Road — A Different Kind of Illini Team? | Illini Podcast
Illinois went into Iowa City and did something that doesn’t happen often — they walked out of Carver-Hawkeye Arena with a win. The Illini never trailed, built an early 18-point lead, and then had to withstand a furious second-half rally from a ranked Iowa team in one of the toughest road...
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UNSTOPPABLE: Illinois DESTROYS Rutgers as Brad Underwood's Team Locks IN! | Illini Podcast
Illinois basketball news: JR recaps the Illini's dominant 26-point win over Rutgers on Talk Illini! Keaton Wagler shines with 17 points and 7 rebounds in Illinois vs Rutgers. Rutgers vs Illinois highlights include a stellar first-half defense and key takeaways from the game.Dive into this episode...
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PORTAL GIVETH: Recapping the Illini's BIG Day in the Transfer Portal | Illini Podcast
Sunny Verma and Carson Bounds discuss the hectic day in the transfer portal for the Illini. Matthew Bailey and Juice Clarke announce their returns as well as we welcome three new incoming transfers for next season.--------------------------Join the Talk Illini Discord!...
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Illinois Football Scores Big in Transfer Portal - Katin Houser News! | Illini Podcast
Illinois Football News: Dive into Katin Houser Illinois commitment as the transfer portal quarterback joins the Fighting Illini. We break down Carter Janki Illinois, Lavon Williams, Tony Diaz Illinois visits, and more transfer portal news from Talk Illini with JR and Carson Bounds. Join JR and...
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ROAD VICTORY: Illinois Proves It Can Win the Hard Way | Penn State Recap
Illinois went into Philadelphia and handled business the hard way.The Illini shot poorly, missed open threes, and still controlled the game from start to finish in a 73–65 road win over Penn State at The Palestra. This wasn’t pretty — but it was mature, physical, and exactly the kind of Big Ten…
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PORTAL CHATTER: Discussing Illinois' Chaotic Portal Thus Far, Who's Gone? Who's Coming?
Join Sunny & Carson Bounds as they discuss the chaotic transfer portal period and run down who is gone and who Illini fans may look forward to coming onto campus!--------------------------Join the Talk Illini Discord! https://discord.gg/nEva6pwBReach out to [email protected] for business...
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BREAKING: Illini Transfer Portal Exits: David Olano, Cole Rusk, and Kaleb Patterson Out
Illinois Football News: Dive into the latest Illinois transfer portal exits with JR and Carson on Talk Illini. We break down David Olano transfer, Cole Rusk transfer, and Kaleb Patterson transfer – huge losses for the Illini amid NIL discussions and roster changes heading into 2026.In this…
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HISTORY! Luke Altmyer Delivers a STORYBOOK Ending vs Tennessee | Illini Podcast
Illinois caps off a nine-win season with a dramatic 30–28 walk-off victory over Tennessee in the Music City Bowl, and the ending couldn’t have been more fitting. In this live postgame, Sunny & JR react to Luke Altmyer’s clutch final drive, the perfectly executed game plan, and the moments that...
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Illinois Basketball Is Finding Its Identity, DOMINATES Southern 90-55 | Illini Podcast
Illinois closed nonconference play with a convincing 90–55 win over Southern, but this one was about much more than the final score. The Illini continued to show real offensive balance, ball movement, and defensive consistency as five players scored in double figures and the bench delivered a…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Talk Illini is your go-to daily show for everything Illinois Fighting Illini. Hosted by Sunny Verma & Jonathan Rhoades, Talk Illini delivers in-depth coverage of Illini football and men’s basketball, while also highlighting recruiting news, women’s basketball, and other standout programs across the university.From game previews and postgame breakdowns to player profiles, recruiting updates, and analysis of the biggest Big Ten and national stories, Talk Illini gives fans a balanced mix of insider insight and passionate discussion.
HOSTED BY
Sunny
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Talk Illini have?
Talk Illini currently has 76 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Talk Illini about?
Talk Illini is your go-to daily show for everything Illinois Fighting Illini. Hosted by Sunny Verma & Jonathan Rhoades, Talk Illini delivers in-depth coverage of Illini football and men’s basketball, while also highlighting recruiting news, women’s basketball, and other standout programs across the...
How often does Talk Illini release new episodes?
Talk Illini has 76 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Talk Illini?
You can listen to Talk Illini 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 Talk Illini?
Talk Illini is created and hosted by Sunny.
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