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Artwork for Illini Inquirer Podcast: An Illinois Fighting Illini athletics podcast
Illinois Fighting Illini
Big Ten Conference
Illinois Basketball
NCAA Tournament
Illinois Football
Big Ten
Transfer Portal
Brad Underwood
Keaton Wagler
College Basketball
Illinois
Football
Kylan Boswell
College Football
Uconn
David Mirkovic
Bret Bielema
Brett Bielema
March Madness
College Football Playoff

Illini Inquirer staff members Jeremy Werner, Joey Wagner, Mike LaTulip, J Leman and many others discuss all things Illinois Fighting Illini athletics.

PublishesDailyEpisodes1176Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BasketballFootballSports

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Illini Inquirer Podcast: An Illinois Fighting Illini athletics podcast

Latest Episodes

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner discusses Illinois football coach Bret Bielema's comments on recruiting the Class of 2027 and then chats with the Star Tribune's Chris Hine about former Illinois basketball stars Ayo Dosunmu and Terrence Shannon Jr. pl... more

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner discuss former Illinois basketball stars Terrence Shannon Jr. and Ayo Dosunmu helping lead the Minnesota Timberwolves past the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. The guys then discus... more

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Kyle Tausk break down the Illini basketball offseason, the strengths and potential flaws of the roster, individual player expectations and how Illinois stacks up nationally. Werner then chats with Illinois men's go... more

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner react to Illinois basketball's Andrej Stojakovic declaring for the NBA Draft and Ayo Dosunmu's big weekend in the NBA Playoffs. The guys then discuss three Illini getting selected in the 2026 NFL Draft ... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Michael Tulip
Illini Inquirer basketball analyst
Illini Inquirer
Episode: Ep. 1162 - Mike LaTulip evaluates Illini basketball's offseason retool
Shauna Green
Illinois women's basketball coach
Illinois Women's Basketball
Episode: Ep. 1158 - Illini WBB coach Shauna Green; Lopati decommits; Spring football names to know
Adam Finkelstein
Director of Scouting for CBS Sports
CBS Sports
Episode: Ep. 1153 - Adam Finkelstein & Kyle Tausk on Illini vs. UConn, Quentin Coleman's commitment
Rob Doster
UConn and national college basketball commentator
Field of 68
Episode: Ep. 1152 - Final Four roundtable with Isaac Trotter & Trevor Vallese
Trevor Vallese
Content Manager for Field of 68; Illinois graduate
Field of 68
Episode: Ep. 1152 - Final Four roundtable with Isaac Trotter & Trevor Vallese
Cam Crocker
Coach/Player interviewed postgame, defender and strategist
Illinois Illini (as coach/staff contact)
Episode: Ep. 1148 - Illini advance to Elite Eight with 65-55 win over Houston!
Derek Piper
Illini Inquirer staff member, guest on the episode
Illini Inquirer
Episode: Ep. 1147 - Derek Piper & Kyle Tausk preview Illinois vs. Houston in the Sweet Sixteen
Kyle Tucker
National college basketball writer for 247Sports, previously with The Athletic
247Sports
Episode: Ep. 1146 - Kyle Tucker on Illini's Final Four chances, top NCAAT storylines; Joey Wagner recaps Illini WBB season
Kyle Tausk
Guest on Illini Inquirer Podcast
Champaign/Urbana Illini Inquirer team contributor
Episode: Ep. 1143 - Illini impose their will in 105-70 first-round NCAAT win over Penn

Hosts

Jeremy Werner
Host and co-host known for in-depth analysis of Illinois athletics, engaging discussions, and insightful commentary. He brings a seasoned perspective to podcasts on Illini sports, alongside his other co-hosts.
Kyle Tausk
Co-host who provides analysis of Illinois sports, notably basketball and football, contributing to the podcast with a focus on detailed discussions around game performances and strategies.
Joey Wagner
Co-host known for his insights into Illinois athletics, complementing the podcast with relevant analysis and commentary on basketball and football performances.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 1.1k ratings
  • Friends talking Illini

    Whenever I listen to Jeremy and Joey, I can’t help think if this was 20 years ago, when I was in grad school at UI, sitting at Murphy’s, just talking ball with these guys. It’s not stat-wonky, you can tell Jeremy and Joey are long-suffering, serious Illini fans; it comes across as old buds having a beer and talking about their favorite college team. I’d live for them to do a live pod someday!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AmherstTim
    United States8 months ago
  • Hi

    Good podcast but Jeremy interrupts too much, especially over Joey. Let him finish. Also talk slower. I’m listening in the car a lot and it’s easy to miss phrases

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    IlliniSludge
    United States9 months ago
  • Favorite Sports Podcast

    Thorough content and polished/professional while still being passionate about the teams they cover. I also really appreciate the coverage they have started giving to UI WBB as the program has transformed during the Shauna Green era. Well done across the board!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SaraB22
    United Statesa year ago
  • Just a couple of friends, talking Illini

    What I LOVE about this pod is how casual it is. Jeremy, Joey, and Derek all come across as friends, just relaxing, talking about their favorite team. I could totally see myself just sitting at bar with any of them, talking about the Illini. The informal nature of Illini Inquirer makes it so much fun for me to listen to.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    UMass Band
    United Statesa year ago
  • One The Best

    Of all the sports I consume and all the teams I follow, Illini Inquirer provides some of the best coverage of any of them.

    The podcast strikes the right balance of covering Illini sports: not cynically pessimistic or disingenuously optimistic.

    They are realistic in their outlooks with reasons for concern while also providing reasons to be hopeful.

    They do a great job of covering the basketball and football teams even during the off-seasons and don’t fall prey to becoming gimmicky.

    Simply put... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Garett.kerber
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The podcast is noted for its balanced coverage, providing a mix of analytical insights along with fan perspectives.
Feedback suggests that the podcast effectively keeps fans updated on their teams, although some listeners urge for more in-depth information occasionally.
Listeners appreciate the informal yet insightful discussions among the hosts, likening it to friends talking sports at a bar.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ep. 1161 - 247Sports' Kyle Tucker on Illini MBB's offseason
Q: How does retention interact with the portal in building a title-contending roster?
Retention is the foundation; keeping core pieces gives you continuity and chemistry, while smart portal additions fill gaps and upgrade talent, creating a blend that can sustain success across multiple years.
Ep. 1161 - 247Sports' Kyle Tucker on Illini MBB's offseason
Q: What do you make of Illinois' backcourt and how the new pieces fit with returning players?
The backcourt is a challenge to replicate, but the staff has earned trust because of their track record; the returnees like Vox and Coleman help anchor the system, and the freshmen and transfers are brought in to plug specific holes without forcing anyone to carry the load.
Ep. 1158 - Illini WBB coach Shauna Green; Lopati decommits; Spring football names to know
Q: What did you learn about this team this year in terms of youth and growth?
The team was incredibly coachable, resilient, and grew together, turning youth into a core strength as they learned to handle high-pressure moments and improve through film study and practice. The emphasis on staying together and building chemistry paid off in tight games and late-season momentum.
Ep. 1156 - Isaac Trotter on Illini's retention & transfer portal efforts
Q: What are the challenges related to roster construction and cost in the portal era?
Teams must weigh the cap impact of high-salaried transfers against the potential on-court impact, while also considering the fit and durability of players who may demand top compensation.
Ep. 1156 - Isaac Trotter on Illini's retention & transfer portal efforts
Q: Which positions are Illinois prioritizing in the transfer portal?
The focus is on retaining elite frontcourt and guard talent, with emphasis on adding a veteran guard and a stretch four to complement the returning pieces and fill gaps on the roster.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The content prominently revolves around the analysis and coverage of the Illinois Fighting Illini athletics, particularly focusing on basketball and football. The hosts frequently discuss game performances, player developments, and strategies while also delving into issues surrounding the teams, such as coaching changes and injury reports. Use of insider insights and interviews with relevant guests enhances the depth of coverage, creating a platform where fans can connect with the information in a casual yet informative manner. The hosts' camaraderie and their shared passion for the teams contribute to a conversational style that is both relatable and entertaining for listeners.

Listeners can expect consistent updates on the teams' progres... more

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this podcast launched 7 years ago and published 1176 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Michael Tulip
2. Shauna Green
3. Adam Finkelstein
4. Rob Doster
5. Trevor Vallese
6. Cam Crocker
7. Derek Piper
8. Kyle Tucker

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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