Explore every episode of the podcast Inside Illini Basketball

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 as a litmus test for Illinois. Seven straight wins (and perhaps an eighth against the Terrapins) is good, but the back half of Big Ten play will be exceedingly more difficult. That leaves plenty to prove for Brad Underwood and Co., which beat writer Scott Richey discusses in this week's Inside Illini Basketball. 

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 with two games that could (should) keep those metrics high. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more, including Jake Davis' role and recruiting, in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

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 conference title). Illinois will do so with one of the top offenses in the country and an improving defense anchored by legitimate rim protector Zvonimir Ivisic. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

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 high-powered offense, a conference title isn't out of the question. Beat writer Scott Richey, on location in Nashville, Tenn., for the Music City Bowl, discusses that and more in this week's episode of "Inside Illini Basketball."

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 comfort and joy with holiday gifts for the entire Illinois roster — and coach Brad Underwood — in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

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 better defense and significantly more consistent production from Tomislav Ivisic. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

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 good prep for the physical Big Ten. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

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 writer Scott Richey discusses that and more (including recruiting, of course) in this week's Inside Illini Basketball

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 Square Garden. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

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 up the AP Top 25 again ahead of another high-level showdown with Alabama in Chicago. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

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 crush a mid-major opponent. It's another to go toe-to-toe with another top 15 team. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

The 2025-25 college basketball season tipped off Monday morning with actual games played. Illinois was a 29 1/2-point favorite in its opener against Jackson State, so beat writer Scott Richey got in his weekly time in the podcast booth ahead of tipoff. Up for debate? How good this Illinois team might be — particularly when it's at as full strength as possible. Richey discussed that and more, including how he caught a stray from Brad Underwood, in this week's episode of Inside Illini Basketball.

Illinois will play its season opener in exactly one week — a Nov. 3 date with Jackson State at State Farm Center. College basketball is here! Beat writer Scott Richey discusses exhibition/scrimmage season (a perfect time for overreactions), Kylan Boswell as an All-Big Ten caliber player and recruiting (always) in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

Did our Scott Richey call David Mirkovic the Montenegrin Draymond Green after his performance in the exhibition win against Illinois State? You bet. That's what you do during exhibition season. Overreact. Even if the Illinois freshman looked the part of a big time Big Ten contributor. Richey discusses Mirkovic's performance, what's next on the "secret scrimmage" front and more in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

Illinois will officially (but without consequence) tip off its 2025-26 season Sunday afternoon at State Farm Center with an exhibition game against Illinois State. Brad Underwood, Kylan Boswell and Co. will do so as the No. 17 team in the country and likely more than a bit short handed. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses the preseason ranking, the state of the roster and more in this week's episode of Inside Illini Basketball.

The Associated Press Top 25 preseason poll will come out next week. Our Scott Richey had to submit his ballot at the end of last week — the end result of an intensive process to narrow about 40 teams down to 25. Rosters were scoured. Opinions were formed. And Illinois wound up in the same spot they held on Richey's "too early" ballot this summer. He discusses that process and more in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

The deadlines for preseason All-Big Ten ballots and the preseason Associated Press Top 25 ballot are this week, and Illinois beat writer Scott Richey is tinkering away to produce his best effort. Will someone — or some fan base — take offense? Without a doubt, but it's as difficult as ever to sort through an 18-team Big Ten that could resume its role as the top conference in the country (or at least the deepest). Narrowing 365 Division I teams down to 25 isn't any easier. Before he hits submit, Richey discusses his ballots and more in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

The 2025-26 Illinois basketball season officially got underway Monday with the first practice of the season. A practice that didn't feature Ty Rodgers or Andrej Stojakovic as they continue to recover from their respective knee injuries. Stojakovic projects to return in a couple more weeks. Rodgers' timetable is less clear. Throw in Mihailo Petrovic's not yet receiving full eligibility clearance, and there are some question marks with the season on the horizon. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

The 2025-26 college basketball season begins next week with the first official practices. The biggest sign hoops is here? Emails have gone out to beat writer Scott Richey to get his AP Top 25 ballot ready and to start thinking about how he'll rank the Big Ten teams from 1-18. Basketball in the fall also means visit season to Champaign, and Richey discusses it all in this week's episode of Inside Illini Basketball.

Illinois is two weeks out from the start of practice and will continue its fall workouts, for the time being, without Andrej Stojakovic. But the rest of the team is still preparing for the 2025-26 season, where expectations for the program remain as high as ever. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more — including recruiting — in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

This week's special holiday edition of Inside Illini Basketball — a solo run by beat writer Scott Richey — touches on the program's past (the 2004-05 team's reunion), present (workouts back underway this week) and future (visitors on their way). Richey also throws down the gauntlet for inclusion in any future episodes of College Basketball Jeopardy from Basket Under Review.

Mihailo Petrovic arrived on campus over the weekend, officially putting the final piece to the Illinois puzzle in place ahead of the 2025-26. There's work to be done to get the 22-year-old Serbian point guard up to speed, but the fact he's here is seriously good news for a team that pursued another playmaker for a reason. Beat writer Scott Richey discussed that and more in this week's episode of Inside Illini Basketball.

College basketball never really stops — it's truly 24/7/365 — but it does slow down occasionally. Like in mid-August when summer workouts have concluded and classes haven't started yet. That's the sweet spot Illinois has hit, with players left to their own devices before they return to campus and start prepping in earnest for the 2025-26 season. Beat writer Scott Richey tackles the basketball slow down with discussion about the season ahead and never-ending recruiting talk in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

Our Scott Richey spent his Saturday night in Robinson where Illinois basketball and country music collided with Meyers Leonard's debut concert. Meanwhile, back in Champaign, summer workouts are coming to their conclusion with most of the team on campus. The wait for Mihailo Petrovic's arrival continues, which is a decidedly important for the 2025-26 season. Richey discusses all that and more in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

Last week was an eventful one for Illinois, with Mihailo Petrovic officially signing, David Mirkovic finally arriving in Champaign and Class of 2026 guard Ethan Brown committing. The confluence of events begs the question: How will Brad Underwood assemble rosters moving forward in an ever-changing college basketball landscape. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

Summer workouts are nearing their conclusion at Illinois, with classes set to start for the fall semester in less than a month. Summer workouts that have, of course, not included the entire Illini team with David Mirkovic and Mihailo Petrovic still in Europe. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more — including recruiting and scheduling — in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

Big Ten football media days (and vacation) might have taken beat writer Scott Richey to Las Vegas, but there's always basketball to discuss. From NBA Summer League to Peach Jam to the fact Illinois still doesn't have its entire roster on campus as the end of July approaches. Richey discusses that and more in this week's on location version of Inside Illini Basketball.

There's never a day where there's not something going on at least tangentially related to college basketball. Dog days of summer? Not anymore. So that's why beat writer Scott Richey had plenty to discuss in this week's Inside Illini Basketball from NBA Summer League to FIBA events to getting the 2025-26 schedule in bits and pieces.

The 2025 NBA Draft is in the books. Summer League rosters are starting to fill out. Las Vegas in July is going to have a solid Illinois presence. Just like Europe does right now with the FIBA U19 World Cup underway in Switzerland. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses the draft, summer league, international basketball, recruiting and the return of EA Sports' college basketball video game in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

Illinois began its summer workouts Monday without its full complement of players and was notably without veteran wing Ty Rodgers, who suffered a knee injury that will require surgery. Not an ideal start to the summer. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

Illinois has operated in a peculiar space for a few weeks, with its roster set for the 2025-26 season but still waiting on summer workouts to begin. But there's always something happening like scheduling news (home-and-home with Texas Tech) and on the recruiting trail (some new 2026 offers). Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

Illinois coach Brad Underwood has expressed a desire to play in New York as often as possible. The 2025-26 season will be the fourth straight the Illini get a game at Madison Square Garden, with news breaking Monday of a one-off, Black Friday game against Connecticut. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that, having Illinois in his top preseason 10 and recruiting in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

The Illinois coaching staff was on the road recruiting this past weekend... in the U.S. While international recruiting has become a point of emphasis for Brad Underwood and Co., they haven't given up on finding talent closer to home. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

Kasparas Jakucionis and Will Riley will be in Chicago this week for the NBA draft combine. That both are projected first round picks means the Illinois duo won't be involved in every facet of the pre-draft process in the Windy City, but it's still another opportunity to impress NBA decision makers. Beat writer Scott Richey, who will also be in Chicago, discusses that and more in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

Brad Underwood could add to his roster for the 2025-26 season if he wanted. There are spots available. But the Illinois coach is content with the group he has — at least for now — with no rush to make any moves. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses the roster being set (or mostly so), key NBA dates and more in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

Monday came with good news for Illinois in the form of another addition to the 2025-26 roster. Not just any addition either. The one Brad Underwood and Co. have been waiting for in California transfer Andrej Stojakovic. The scorer on the wing that will fit nicely with the rest of the roster both from a fit perspective and in his Greek-Serbian heritage. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

This week might mark the closure of the transfer portal, but it won't slow down the madness that is the college basketball offseason. Illinois is right in the thick of it with spots to fill in its roster/rotation and, to date, not all that much to show for it. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

Kasparas Jakucionis, as expected, declared for the 2025 NBA Draft on Monday. Notable news to start the week for Illinois — both in the fact it just produced a likely one-and-done lottery pick and for the necessity to replace him. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses Jakucionis, the Nike Hoop Summit and recruiting in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

Illinois has made a serious investment in recruiting Europe. It's not a new concept — international stars have made stops in college basketball before — but Illinois appears to be recruiting Europe harder than any other program at the moment. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

The transfer portal has only been open one week, and more than 1,500 players have already decided the grass is greener elsewhere. That includes Illinois, which has seen multiple players depart (both surprising and expected). Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

The 2024-25 Illinois basketball season came to an abrupt end Sunday night in Milwaukee. A second-round exit from the NCAA tournament. The shift in the college basketball landscape, though, means there's no time to dwell on that disappointment. The transfer portal is open, and focus has already shifted to 2025-26. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this week's "Inside Illini Basketball."

Did everything come up Illinois when the NCAA tournament bracket was revealed Sunday evening? There's an argument to be made that's exactly what happened. As far as No. 6 seeds go, Illinois shouldn't have too many complaints. How that potential path forward through the tournament plays out, of course, is the question. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this week's "Inside Illini Basketball."

Illinois made it through a an up-and-down January and more of the same in February to emerge in March looking more like the Final Four-caliber team so many national pundits said Brad Underwood's team could be. Now's the time to prove it, with momentum on Illinois' side heading into postseason play. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses it all in this week's "Inside Illini Basketball."

February was bleak for Illinois. More injuries and illnesses. More losses. Waning hope. But now it's March, and all is apparently well after a 2-0 week that saw Illinois beat up on Iowa at home and then do the same at Michigan five days later to generate the kind of momentum you need this time of year. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

Illinois just experienced its worst loss in program history — a 43-point thumping at the hands of then No. 3 Duke on basketball's biggest stage. That blowout was emblematic of the continued struggles Brad Underwood's team has experienced the past six weeks. Struggles that need fixed as the regular season winds to a close if Illinois still has aspirations at meaningful postseason basketball. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

Beat writer Scott Richey recorded this week's episode of Inside Illini Basketball before news broke of, well, Morez Johnson Jr.'s broken wrist. That only would have added to the discussion of the up-and-down (and up-and-down again) last two months for Illinois. A round of true/false with our beat writer shines a light on where the Illini stand with five games to play in the regular season.

Kofi Cockburn and Terrence Shannon Jr. will be back in town this week to see their jerseys raised to the State Farm Center rafters. A reason to celebrate. But the games themselves — against UCLA and Michigan State — can't be overlooked. It's a week for Illinois to prove its place among the Big Ten's best. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more, including a visit from a top-level European center, in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

Illinois got whole again with Tomislav Ivisic's return and showed, in its comeback win against Ohio State, what that group is capable of doing on the court. Now Illinois will take its full strength lineup on the road for key games at Rutgers and Minnesota. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

The "Tomislav Ivisic has mono" experience created two distinct results last week for Illinois. A blowout home loss to Maryland followed by dominating 35 of 40 minutes against Northwestern for a win where the final score wasn't indicative of the gap between the two teams. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that, recruiting and more in this week's Inside Illini Basketball.

Illinois didn't lose Sunday's game at Michigan State because of the officials. Missed free throws (a lot of them) and missed three-pointers (even more) played a part. But ... so did Kasparas Jakucionis only playing 8 1/2 minutes after some iffy calls fouled the future lottery pick out of the game. But there were positives coming out of East Lansing — like Will Riley asserting himself — and Illinois isn't out of the Big Ten race just yet. Beat writer Scott Richey discusses that and more in this week's episode of Inside Illini Basketball.