Illini Inquirer Podcast: An Illinois Fighting Illini athletics podcast

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Kyle Tausk react to Illinois basketball's 2026-27 Big Ten schedule drop and preview a huge recruiting weekend full of five-star prospects. The guys discuss the setup of the schedule and what it means for the team. Then the guys discuss a star-studded visitor list for the weekend of four Composite five-star prospects: 2027 prospects Darius Wabbington and Moussa Kamissoko and 2028 prospects Bentley Lusakueno and Dylan Betts.
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(0:00) - Intro
(2:53) - Breaking down the tough and soft spots of schedule
(8:55) - Advantage of two-plays
(12:25) - Home weekend schedule
(15:24) - Kyle's most anticipated B1G road trip
(16:40) - B1G game of the season
(20:05) - Over/under wins
(28:43) - Previewing a huge recruiting weekend for Illini
(36:08) - Darius Wabbington
(41:36) - Dylan Betts
(43:15) - Bentley Lusakueno
(46:30) - Moussa Kamissoko

All-American linebacker and Illini Inquirer football analyst J Leman joins Jeremy Werner to react to Illinois football's 31-27 loss to Duke. Leman discusses his concern level after the loss, key miscues that swung the close game, the difference between a great offensive first half and poor close and what Illinois needs to be more successful defensively. Leman also discusses what he wants to see in the Illini's game Saturday against Southern Illinois and what he makes of a bad week for the Big Ten.
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(0:00) - Intro
(1:10) - J Leman's panic meter after Duke loss
(3:00) - Biggest concerns after two games
(5:00) - Secondary has to step up
(7:23) - Missed tackles continue
(12:20) - Limited defensive disruption
(13:43) - Didn't make winning plays in key situations
(18:30) - Offense can't close in winning time
(28:52) - Offensive line injuries & run game inconsistency
(30:50) - Collin Dixon's monster game and emergence
(34:40) - What Leman wants to see vs. SIU
(36:15) - Bad week for the Big Ten

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner react to Illinois football's 31-27 loss to Duke. The guys break down the defense's continued struggles, the offense's tale of two halves and what it means for the team moving forward.
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CBS Sports college basketball writer Isaac Trotter joins Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner to break down the latest college basketball news, including Purdue's Trey Kaufman-Renn and Minnesota's Cade Tyson's chances at another year of eligibility, Michigan freshman Brandon McCoy's season-ending injury and Mark Mitchell's return to Missouri. Then Trotter breaks down his expectations for Illini freshman Quentin Coleman; the latest updates on Tomislav Ivisic, Zvonimir Ivisic and David Mirkovic; and his views on Illinois basketball's ceiling and floor for the 2026-27 season.
Read Isaac Trotter's latest
Illini basketball roster breakdown
Meet college basketball's polarizing freshman class
Follow the Illini Inquirer Podcast on:
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(0:00) - Intro
(3:12) - Latest on Trey Kaufman-Renn, Cade Tyson
(7:40) - Impact of Brandon McCoy's injury on Michigan
(10:40) - Impact of Mark Mitchell back to Missouri
(12:05) - Steve Pikiell announces cancer diagnosis
(14:53) - Latest on Tomislav Ivisic, Zvonimir Ivisic and David Mirkovic
(20:18) - Stefan Vaaks and Brad Underwood's comments
(25:23) - How Quentin Coleman fits into national freshman class
(31:44) - Illinois basketball's floor and ceiling
(40:33) - Outro

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner preview Illinois vs. Duke with a six-pack of questions. The guys break down how Brandon Henderson's injury impacts the offensive line, what other personnel changes the Illini could make, the key to Bobby Hauck's defense slowing down Duke's passing attack, the keys for the offense against Manny Diaz's aggressive defense and their biggest concerns and reasons for confidence in the game. The guys wrap up by making their Picks to Click and their bold predictions for the game.
Follow the Illini Inquirer Podcast on:
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Go VIP for 50% OFF: https://tinyurl.com/2fkhmjdz
0:00 - Intro
0:53 - Setting up Illinois vs. Duke
4:55 - Home-field advantage for Illini
7:35 - Impact of Brandon Henderson's injury
14:26 - Personnel changes in Week 2?
23:36 - How does defense slow down Duke rushing attack?
30:00 - How does Illini attack Duke's aggressive defense?
35:12 - Biggest reason for confidence against Duke
41:05 - Biggest reason for concern against Duke
45:54 - Picks to click 5
53:26 - Bold predictions
57:45 - Look around the Big Ten