The Armchair Illini podcast is back to recap a devastating 95-94 overtime loss for Illinois against UCLA in Westwood. After holding a massive 23-point lead in the first half, the Illini struggled with defensive lapses and late-game execution, ultimately falling to a 94-foot buzzer-beating layup.

In this episode, Alex and Robby Nardini break down:

The Tale of Two Halves: How Illinois went from shooting 11/20 on threes in the first half to just 3/22 in the second half and OT.

Defensive Red Flags: Concerns over the Illini's inability to stop speedy guards like Donovan Dent and the struggles of the Ivisic twins when drawn out to the perimeter.

The Final Play: A deep dive into the defensive breakdown on the final 94-foot drive and what could have been done differently

March Outlook: Which matchups should Illinois avoid in the NCAA Tournament?

Player Spotlights: Analyzing performances from Ben Humrichous, Andrje Stojakovic, and Tomislav Ivisic.

Despite the "fever dream" loss that mirrored the 2024 Penn State collapse, the guys look for silver linings as Illinois prepares for a massive home game against Michigan this Friday.

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The Illinois Fighting Illini look to build on their dominant 101-65 victory over USC as they head into the second leg of their West Coast swing against the UCLA Bruins. Join Alex kyi and Robby Nardini as they break down the matchup, Illinois’ return to full health, and where the team stands in the latest NCAA Tournament bracketology.

In this episode:

Full Strength: Discussion on the return of Kylan Boswell and Andrej Stojakovic

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Bruins Breakdown: Analyzing UCLA's roster, including Tyler Bilodeau and former Illini Skyy Clark.

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Coaching Dynamics: Thoughts on Mick Cronin’s recent behavior and Brad Underwood’s leadership.

Bracketology: Can Illinois climb to a 1-seed before the Big Ten Tournament?.

Predictions: Official score picks for Saturday’s game on Fox.

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The Illinois Fighting Illini have made a massive splash by hiring Bobby Hauck as their new Defensive Coordinator. In this episode of the Armchair Illini Podcast, we are joined by Colter Nuanez of Skyline Sports and ESPN Montana to break down what this means for Bret Bielema and the Illinois football program.

We dive deep into the mechanics of the 3-3-5 defense, discussing why it was so successful for the Montana Grizzlies and how it translates to the Big Ten Conference. Colter provides an inside look at Bobby Hauck's coaching style—described as a militaristic, no-nonsense disciplinarian who prioritizes "tough love" and fundamental intensity.

We also discuss the new additions to the Illini coaching staff, including Inside Linebackers coach Roger Cooper and the impact of Ronnie Bradford. From recruiting advantages to the "chaotic" nature of the heavy metal defense, get the full scoop on the future of the Illini defense.

Support the Players!

The Armchair Illini podcast has teamed up with Campus Ink’s Official Illinois NIL Store. Get officially licensed gear from your favorite Illini stars like Luke Altmyer, Kylan Boswell, the Ivisic brothers, and even Brad Underwood merch.

Use code: ARMCHAIRILLINI for 15% off your order!

Don't forget to visit our sponsor Hamilton Walker’s in Champaign-Urbana for the best steaks and seafood!

Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome to the Armchair Illini Podcast

00:30 – Sponsor: Hamilton Walker's Steakhouse

01:06 – Introducing Colter Nuanez (Skyline Sports/ESPN Montana)

01:20 – The "Abrupt" Retirement of Bobby Hauck in Montana

03:45 – Why the Illinois move makes sense for Hauck and Bret Bielema

04:38 – Coaching Style: Militaristic, Old School, and Disciplinarian

06:40 – Breaking down the 3-3-5 Defensive System

08:12 – The "Heavy Metal" Defense: Chaos and Pressure

11:53 – Potential Kryptonite: How Montana State attacked the 3-3-5

14:26 – Scouting Roger Cooper: The New Linebackers Coach

16:26 – The Importance of Ronnie Bradford as a "Huge Hire"

17:44 – State of the FCS: North Dakota State and Conference Realignment

21:40 – Support the Illinois NIL Store (Code: ARMCHAIRILLINI)

22:04 – Bobby Hauck and the Media: What to expect in Champaign

27:02 – Final Vibe: How Montana fans feel about the departure

30:53 – Recruiting Outlook: Cooper and Bradford’s impact

Keywords

Bobby Hauck, Illinois Football, Illini Defense, 3-3-5 Defense, Bret Bielema, Colter Nuanez, Armchair Illini, Montana Grizzlies Football, Big Ten Football, Skyline Sports, Roger Cooper, Ronnie Bradford, Illini Coaching Staff, College Football Recruiting, FCS Football, Hamilton Walker’s Champaign, Big Sky Conference, NCAA Football Defense, Heavy Metal Defense, Illinois NIL Store, Campus Ink, Fighting Illini

In this episode of the Armchair Illini Podcast, Alex and Robbie preview the Wednesday night matchup between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the USC Trojans. After a dominant 71-51 win over Indiana, Illinois heads to Los Angeles for a critical Quad 1 opportunity.

In this preview:

The West Coast Challenge: Why the second game of these road trips is historically tough for Big Ten teams.

Kylan Boswell’s Impact: How the senior guard’s return stabilizes the Illinois backcourt.

Injury Report: The latest on Andrej Stojakovic’s ankle and whether he'll play at USC.

Scouting the Trojans: Managing the "villain role" of Chad Baker-Mazara and the loss of Rodney Rice.

Score Predictions: Our final picks for Wednesday night’s 10 PM ET tip-off.

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The Illinois Fighting Illini are back in the win column! In this episode of the Armchair Illini Podcast, Austin Burklund recaps a dominant 71-51 home victory over the Indiana Hoosiers in Champaign.

We dive deep into the game's biggest storyline: the return of Kylan Boswell, who hit the floor for the first time after missing seven games. With this win, Illinois moves to 21-5 on the season and 12-3 in Big Ten play.

In this video:

Indiana Recap: Breaking down the 71-51 win.

Kylan Boswell’s Impact: What his return means for the Illini's postseason run.

Andrej Stojakovic out. What his absence means. Speculation on his recovery timeline. How his absence affects offense and defense

Big Ten Standings: Where Illinois sits in the race for the conference title.

Hamilton Walker’s Giveaway: Enter our weekly $50 gift card giveaway on our social media page!

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Shout out to Hamilton Walker’s Seafood, Steaks, and Spirits—the best dining in Champaign-Urbana. Visit them after the next Illini win!

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Subscribe for the latest Illinois Fighting Illini news, recruiting updates, and game analysis! I-L-L!

Welcome back to another episode of the Armchair Illini podcast with your host, Alex Kyi. After a tough 12-game win streak ended with two consecutive overtime losses to Michigan State and Wisconsin, the Illini are looking to get back in the win column this Sunday at the State Farm Center against the Indiana Hoosiers.

In this episode, we are joined by Robby Nardini to break down what went wrong in the 92-90 loss to Wisconsin and how fatigue played a factor after playing five games in 13 days. We also dive deep into the scouting report for Indiana, focusing on their star transfer Lamar Wilkerson and how Illinois can adjust if key players like Andrej Stojakovic or Kylan Boswell remain limited.

In this video, we discuss:

Wisconsin Recap: Analyzing the missed free throws, turnovers, and the impact of a 6-man rotation.

Indiana Scouting Report: How to stop Lamar Wilkerson and the experienced Hoosiers squad.

Injury Updates: The latest on Andrej Stojakovic'sankle and Kylan Boswell’s status.

Big 10 Title Race: Where Illinois stands in the hunt for the second spot.

Support Armchair Illini:

Get your officially licensed Illini merch at Campus Inc.! Use code ARMCHAIRILLINI in all caps at checkout to get 15% off your order.

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Connect With Us:

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The Armchair Illini Podcast is back! Host Austin Burklund is joined by Zach Browning from TheHoosier.com to break down one of the most anticipated matchups in the Big Ten: Illinois vs. Indiana.

Indiana is playing its best basketball of the season, led by the scoring explosion of Lamar Wilkerson, who recently dropped 41 points against Oregon. Can the Illini defense, potentially missing Kylan Boswell and Andre Stojakovic, find a way to slow him down? Meanwhile, we look at how the Hoosiers plan to contain Keaton Wagler and the high-powered Illinois offense at the State Farm Center.

In this episode, we cover:

Indiana’s Surge: How Darren DeVries turned the season around and got the Hoosiers off the bubble.

Lamar Wilkerson’s Brilliance: Is he the best scorer in the Big Ten right now?

The Matchup: Defensive strategies to stop Keaton Wagler and the Ivisic brothers.

Illini Depth Concerns: What happens if Boswell and Stojakovic remain out?

Score Predictions: Who walks away with a massive conference win?

Support Our Sponsors: 🍔 Hamilton Walker’s: The best dining experience in Champaign-Urbana. Visit them for prime steaks and seafood! 👕 The NIL Store: Get officially licensed gear for your favorite Illini stars. Use code ARMCHAIRILLINI for 15% off your order!

Follow Zach Browning: Twitter/X: @ZachBrowning17 Website: TheHoosier.com

Connect with Armchair Illini: Website: armchairillini.com Twitter/Instagram: @ArmchairIllini Substack: Robby Nardini’s Friday Newsletter

#Illini #IndianaHoosiers #BigTenBasketball #CollegeBasketball #KeatonWagler #LamarWilkerson #ArmchairIllini

The Illini suffer a heartbreaking 92-90 overtime loss at home against the Wisconsin Badgers. In this episode of the Armchair Illini Podcast, Alex and Austin break down the "mental maturity" of this team, the 11-point lead that slipped away, and the costly turnovers that turned the tide.

We dive deep into the stats—including the 23-6 disparity in points off turnovers—and look ahead to how Illinois can bounce back in their upcoming matchup against Indiana.

In this video:

Initial reactions to the 92-90 OT loss

Key stats: Points off turnovers and free-throw struggles

A look at the Big Ten landscape and recent upsets

Previewing the next home game vs. Indiana

Stay Connected with Armchair Illini:

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#Illini #IllinoisBasketball #BigTen #ArmchairIllini #CollegeBasketball #WisconsinBadgers #fightingillini #bigtenbasketball

Lon Tay is BACK! After years of rocking the airwaves together at ESPN CU 93.5, Lon Tay reunites with Austin Burklund for a massive deep-dive into the state of Illinois athletics.

In this episode of the Armchair Illini Podcast, we break down everything from the "Dark Horse" national title potential of this Illinois basketball squad to the defensive question marks surrounding the football team's upcoming season. Lon shares his candid thoughts on the frustration of seeing Indiana find massive success, the current struggles of his alma mater, SIU, and what life looks like now that he's traded the radio mic for college baseball road trips.

Today’s Sponsors

Hamilton Walker’s Seafood and Spirits: Hands down the best dining experience in Champaign-Urbana. Whether you want prime steaks, fresh seafood, or a vibe that's perfect after a big Illini win, Hamilton Walker’s is where the community comes to celebrate. GIVEAWAY: Follow Armchair Illini and Hamilton Walker’s on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for your chance to win a $50 gift card every single week of the season!

Campus Ink.: The official Illinois NIL Store. Get officially licensed gear from your favorite Illini stars. Use CODE: ARMCHAIRILLINI for 15% OFF your entire order!

Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome back: The Austin and Lon reunion

01:10 – Lon’s new life: Family, golf, and college baseball

02:36 – Retooling the golf game and Southern Illinois courses

05:18 – Illinois Basketball: Breaking down the Michigan State loss

07:30 – Depth vs. Balance: Stojakovic, Wagler, and the rotation

13:02 – Previewing the Sunday showdown with Indiana

15:18 – Is this the deepest Big Ten in history?

18:27 – The biggest surprises: Jake Davis and "Big Z"

24:04 – Do we trust Brad Underwood in March?

26:10 – The "Quatro’s Cup" moment and SIU dive bars

28:49 – Illini Football: Defensive concerns and the QB situation

35:05 – The "Indiana Crisis": Dealing with the Hoosiers' success

41:58 – Avoiding the St. Louis University "trap" in the bracket

43:21 – State of the Salukis: The future of mid-major sports

51:03 – How the Transfer Portal changed mid-major hoops

56:16 – Cubs Season Preview: Rotation depth and division hopes

58:34 – The comfort of 162 games a year

Gemini said

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The 12-game win streak is over, but the Illini are ready to defend the State Farm Center! In this episode of the Armchair Illini podcast, Alex and Robby Nardini break down the tough loss to Michigan State and preview Tuesday night's high-stakes matchup against the Wisconsin Badgers.

In this episode, we discuss:

Reacting to Michigan State: Why the "little things" like lane violations and rebounding cost Illinois the win.

Keaton Wagler’s "Human" Moment: After a 2-for-16 night, how does Wagler rebound against a less physical Wisconsin defense?

The David Mirkovic Factor: With Kylan Boswell out, should Mirkovic take on more primary ball-handling duties?

Wisconsin Preview: Scouting the Badgers' backcourt duo of Nick Boyd and John Blackwell.

Big Ten Race: Illinois currently sits half a game behind Michigan—how critical is this home stretch?

Special Event: It’s Jake Davis Wig Night on Tuesday! Make sure to get to the State Farm Center early to grab yours.

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