Illini Inquirer Podcast: An Illinois Fighting Illini athletics podcast

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 342 - What LaTulip learned from St. Francis exhibition Oct 28, 2021

Show notes

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with former Illinois basketball player Mike LaTulip about the Illini's first exhibition game, a 101-38 rout of St. Francis. LaTulip discusses what can actually be learned from an exhibition against an overmatched NAIA team, why Trent Frazier was his star of the game, what he saw from transfers Omar Payne and Alfonso Plummer, what stood out about Coleman Hawkins and Austin Hutcherson and his initial impressions of the freshmen. Mike also looks ahead to Friday's second exhibition against Indiana (Pa.) and gives his early thoughts on the 4-0 Chicago Bulls.

Ep. 341 - 'Such a program-building win': J Leman reacts to Illini's win at Penn State Oct 25, 2021

Show notes

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner talks with former All-American LB J Leman about Illinois football's 20-18 nine-OT win at No. 7 Penn State. Leman breaks down what the win means for the program after a tough month and week, why Ryan Walters' defense is having such success and how the Illini's "barge" offense worked. Then he looks ahead to a winnable game against Rutgers.

Ep. 340 - Illini hoops puts on an exhibition Oct 24, 2021

Show notes

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Derek Piper discuss Illinois basketball's 101-38 win over St. Francis (Ill.) in the first of two exhibition games. The guys discuss what they can actually take away from the blowout over an NAIA opponent and break down what they saw from bench options Coleman Hawkins, Austin Hutcherson, Omar Payne and Alfonso Plummer before chatting about initial impressions from the freshmen.

Ep. 339 - Nonuple nuttiness: Illini top No. 7 Penn State Oct 23, 2021

Show notes

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner (in Champaign) and Joey Wagner (in State College) react to Illinois football's 20-18 nine-overtime victory at No. 7 Penn State. The guys discuss the historic nature of this game (longest in college football history) and what the win says about the program after a noisy week. Then the guys discuss the defense's dominance and the running game's dominance overcoming poor quarterback play. The guys also look ahead to what the win could mean for the rest of the season and recruiting.

Ep. 338 - Mike LaTulip previews the 2021-22 Illini basketball season Oct 20, 2021

Show notes

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with former Illinois basketball player Mike LaTulip to preview the 2021-22 Illinois basketball season. They guys discuss what Illinois lost in Ayo Dosunmu, Adam Miller and Giorgi Bezhanishvili before discussing the next steps for Kofi Cockburn and Andre Curbelo; what the returns of seniors Trent Frazier, Da'Monte Williams and Jacob Grandison means for the team; what transfers Alfonso Plummer and Omar Payne bring to Illinois; and expectations for X-factors Coleman Hawkins and Austin Hutcherson. LaTulip then gives his few concerns about the team and his pick to win the Big Ten.

Ep. 337 - 'The roster is going to have to change' Oct 19, 2021

Show notes

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner discuss the brouhaha around Bret Bielema's blunt comments about the Illinois football roster. The guys provide context to what Bielema was saying, the fallout of it (both inside and outside the team) and the potential impact of the online outrage moving forward. Then the guys discuss actual recruiting, including the meteoric rise of Chicago Marist LB Jimmy Rolder, Joey's observations of OL Joey Okla, his upcoming trip to see QB Donovan Leary, transfer needs and remaining Class of 2022 targets.

Ep. 336 - J Leman answers your Illini questions Oct 18, 2021

Show notes

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with Illinois All-American linebacker J Leman about the latest in the Big Ten, including Iowa's loss to Purdue and four top-9 teams in the Big Ten East, before focusing on Illinois football's trip to Penn State and what he wants to see after an off week. The J answers listener-submitted questions on Illinois football, the roster, the coaching, recruiting and his Illini experiences

Ep. 335 - Illini hoops open practice and five-star recruiting visits Oct 14, 2021

Show notes

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Derek Piper talk 50 minutes of Illini basketball. The guys start with Michigan big man Hunter Dickinson waking up Big Ten Media Days with a shot at Illini fans and whether he was spitting some truth and what that says about Illinois basketball. Then the guys discuss their biggest takeaways from the Illini's open practice last Saturday, including Andre Curbelo, Luke Goode, solid seniors, Austin Hutcherson, Alfonso Plummer, Omar Payne and Coleman Hawkins. Then the guys shift their focus to the Illini's last month of big recruiting weekends, including 2022 top target Ty Rodgers, five-star 2023 forward J.J. Taylor, five-star 2023 guard Kylan Bosell and how the conversation about Illini basketball recruiting has changed in recent years.

Ep. 334 - J Leman's midseason Illini report card Oct 13, 2021

Show notes

All-American linebacker J Leman joins Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner to break down Illinois football's 24-0 loss at Wisconsin, including near-historic offensive struggles, o-line issues, Art Sitkowski's performance in relief and a defense overpowered in the run game. Leman then gives his midseason report card on the Illini, giving a letter grade for each position group as well as the head coach and coordinators.

Ep. 333 - An offensive offensive performance Oct 10, 2021

Show notes

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner discuss the Illini's 24-0 loss to Wisconsin and some basketball open practice observations. The guys discuss a putrid offensive performance and Artur Sitkowski's performance in relief of Brandon Peters. Then the guys discuss what there is to learn about a 2-5 (1-3 Big Ten) Illini team the rest of the season and the staff's recruiting priorities in the offseason. The guys end the podcast on a positive note with observations from Illini basketball's open practice.

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