Light The I

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 Intro04:10 Reviewing baseball series vs. No. 20 Nebraska07:27 Scott and Ella show off some hardware32:07 Did Luke Altmyer get snubbed?45:40 Andrej Stojakovic puts his name in the NBA draft50:40 Is 5-for-5 coming? 1:06:23 Another Illini assistant AD takes a head job

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 Intro03:16 Spring fashion 10:13 NFL Draft prospects for Illini players31:55 Insight into Katin Houser and the running game46:48 The Retention for women's basketball50:51 Tyra Perry reaches the 300-win milestone

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 fowl.00:00 Intro and Where's Robert?03:37 Half Marathon Training09:19 The Retention (and additions and subtractions)28:35 Robert puts it in context (somewhat succinctly)45:42 Illinois baseball wins a thriller55:10 Backyard baseball rules + signs from animals1:02:25 Brandon Dang (MGYM) wins a national championship

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 Intro2:40 Color Talk6:55 Team Send Off15:00 Illini Final Four History27:30 The 2026 Illini40:49 Lucas Oil Stadium Setup44:45 Coleman Hawkins47:45 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 Intro01:27 Illini in a Sweet 16 - again!11:35 Does Robert have IDS?26:55 Baseball takes on Mizzou29:02 Student Sweet 16 plans32:53 No more Cinderellas?35:01 The Penn Band apologizes43:11 Women's hoops wins an NCAA Tourney Game - again!48:10 Spring football practice starts52:34 Diamond sports and golf updates56:03 Viewer/listener feedback1:02:16 Illini crustaceans

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. 

Scott and Robert discuss the early exit of men's basketball from the Big Ten Tournament. But there's reason for optimism with their draw as a No. 3 seed. Then they look at the women's outlook in Nashville as a No. 7 seed.00:00 Intro04:42 Two Illini teams in the NCAA Tournament06:50 Robert fantasizes about a revenge tour15:15 Greenville as a destination18:01 A players-only meeting for MBB + losing leads 33:00 Women's basketball head to Nashville40:09 Baseball pitches itself to a Big Ten series win43:44 Robert isn't going to Greenville45:26 Illinois: One of the Ten 

Scott and Robert look forward to the Big Ten Tournament as they look back on BTT memories of the past. 

Scott and Robert discuss the win over Maryland, the final Big Ten standings, the upcoming Big Ten Tournament, WBB's potential NCAA seed, and then a few thoughts on baseball & tennis.

Scott and Robert discuss the Senior Night win over Oregon + the football staff realignment and then answer listener questions from the mailbag.

Scott and Robert look back at the men's basketball loss to Michigan and then welcome Kendall Bostic, the all-time leading rebounder for Illinois women's basketball and current radio analyst. She dives into this year's team ahead of the Big Ten tournament, the transition to broadcasting, and her Illini career.00:00 - Introduction02:35 - Reviewing Illinois vs. Michigan10:48 - Postseason outlook14:25 - Hello Ella + booking it to class20:09 - Kendall Bostic01:03:24 - Good weekends for Illini baseball and track & field

Scott and Robert discuss their experiences on each coast; Scott on the east coast watching Illini Baseball beat #6 Coastal Carolina and Robert on the west coast watching the #10 Illini lose in overtime to UCLA. 

Scott and Robert discuss the complete demolition of USC on Wednesday night and then Montana alum Kevin Van Valkenburg of Fried Egg Golf fills us in on Bobby Hauck's tenure as Montana head coach.

Scott and Robert discuss Sunday's 71-51 win over Indiana, the Orange Krush narratives over the past week, Illini baseball's opening weekend, and the latest football hires. Plus some history on "football block." 

Scott and Robert discuss the overtime loss to Wisconsin on Tuesday night and then sit down with Illini golf coach Mike Small to discuss the upcoming season. 

Scott and Robert review the overtime loss by Illinois men's basketball at Michigan State before reacting to some big football news. 00:00 - Introduction01:28 - Reviewing Illini MBB's loss at Michigan State12:16 - Why Robert likes a team to be the villain23:07 - Looking back at Illini WBB's sellout and loss to USC28:37 - Illinois football has a new defensive coordinator43:52 - Robert forgets something crucial at MSU

Scott and Robert look back at the 12th straight win for Illinois men's basketball after a rout of Northwestern. Then, they talk with Illinois baseball head coach Dan Hartleb, the all-time winningest coach is program history, who is about to start his 21st season.00:00 - Introduction04:23 - Looking back at Illini men's rout of Northwestern21:53 - Illini women's valiant comeback attempt at Oregon24:08 - Bret Bielema says defensive scheme changes are coming31:50 - Dan Hartleb, Illinois baseball head coach

Scott and Robert marvel at a top-5 road win for Illini men's basketball for the second straight weekend and an important ranked road win for the women's team. Then they discuss defensive coordinator vacancy for Illini football before Scott has an in-depth conversation with Illinois softball head coach Tyra Perry about her career and the upcoming season that begins on February 6.

Scott and Robert look back at the men's basketball win over Washington to extend their winning streak to 10. Then they discuss a strong effort for the women's team in a loss to UCLA, and Robert shares thoughts on the football schedule.

In the first half of the episode, Scott and Robert discuss being there in West Lafayette watching Keaton Wagler score 46 at Mackey. And in the second half, it's a long discussion of possible seeds for the Illini in the NCAA Tournament. 

In the first segment, Scott and Robert discuss the latest Illini news including the eight-game winning basketball winning streak and Deputy AD Roger Denny being hired by Oklahoma. And then in the second segment, Illini media legend Loren Tate joins the show to discuss everything he's seen in the last 60 years covering the Illini. 

Scott and Robert react to the news about Kylan Boswell and the college football national championship. Then, they respond to more listener/viewer questions.

Scott and Robert discuss the MBB win at Northwestern, the WBB loss at Michigan, the return of Xavier Scott for one more season, and the upcoming Indiana-Miami national title game. Then, in the second half of the episode, Scott and Robert answer mailbag questions. 

Josh Whitman is approaching his 10th anniversary as the University of Illinois athletic director. He joins hosts Scott Beatty and Robert Rosenthal, along with producer Mazie Gierat, for a wide-ranging conversation. Josh reflects on a decade on the job, and he discusses the current success of high-profile Illini sports, pending upgrades to Memorial Stadium, and the need for governance for NIL.

Scott and Robert discuss the women's basketball team finding themselves ranked after the win at Penn State, the men's basketball team finding themselves moving up to 13th after the road win at Iowa, and the football team finding themselves some players via the portal. 

Two interviews for the price of one! First, Scott and Robert sit down with wrestler Lucas Byrd -- that's 2025 national champion at 133 lbs Lucas Byrd -- to discuss his final season with the Illini. And then it's Director of Track & Field Petros Kyprianou to discuss the upcoming track season.

Scott and Robert review a very successful holiday period for Illini athletics before focusing on the latest in football transfer portal. Plus, they answer some listener/viewer comments and questions. And, they revisit how lighting the "I" had some trouble in Nashville.

Scott and Robert discuss the Illini win over Tennessee in the Music City Bowl. 

Scott and Robert attempt to determine the top five Illinois athletics moments or stories of the calendar year, and they nearly come to an agreement.

Scott and Robert go game-by-game through the 2025 season.

Scott and Robert discuss the history of the Illinois-Missouri Braggin' Rights series and create a list of the top five Braggin' Rights games of all time.

Scott and Robert start with some discussion about the Nebraska basketball loss and then, after the break, interview Illini head coach Bret Bielema.

The "get to know us" episode. Scott and Robert discuss their personal journeys to covering the Illini and starting the podcast.

Scott and Robert discuss the Illini win at Ohio State, classes in the Armory, the upcoming game against Nebrasketball, and an unexpected firing in the Big Ten.

Scott Beatty and Robert Rosenthal launch their new Illini podcast, Light The I.