Illini Inquirer Podcast: An Illinois Fighting Illini athletics podcast

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and The 200 Level's Mike Carpenter connect for their first Mondays with Mike chat in a few weeks. The guys discuss the NFL conference championship games and the Chicago Bears before diving into Bret Bielema's completed Illinois football staff. The guys then discuss a week without Illinois basketball prior to Friday night's rivalry showdown with No. 7 Iowa.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with Illini great and BTN analyst J Leman about his early impressions of Bret Bielema and his staff, including his sit-down meetings with the staff. Then the guys talk about what his expectations for Bielema's 2021 team will be and what Bielema can bring in recruiting. Leman also discusses his thoughts about entering the coaching profession.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner reacts to Illinois football landing Notre Dame transfer wide receiver, and Tim O'Malley of Irish Illustrated breaks down what he saw out of Armstrong in four years at Notre Dame and what he thinks Armstrong can bring to the Illini. O'Malley also discusses Houston Griffith's return to Notre Dame as well as transfer linebacker Jack Lamb.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner gives thoughts on Bret Bielema's completed first staff and what he thinks of the group on paper, in terms of both coaching and recruiting. Then Jeremy chats with Cory Smith from PackPride.com to discuss former NC State assistants George McDonald and Aaron Henry and discuss what they bring to the Illini staff. Then Jeremy chats with PonyStampede.com's Billy Embody about what SMU defensive coordinator Kevin Kane brings to Bielema's staff.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner discuss how Bret Bielema has changed the Illinois football program during his first month on the job. The guys discuss his approach to recruiting, especially in state, how he helped retain an experienced roster and the staff he's putting together. The guys also discuss a report that Bielema could be closing in on a new wide receivers coach.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner, Derek Piper and Joey Wagner discuss Illinois basketball's 79-65 win over Penn State. The guys discuss Brad Underwood shaking up the starting lineup, inserting Jacob Grandison over Da'Monte Williams and its impact on a hot start, Kofi Cockburn's dominance and how this bounceback win translates to future games.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner, Derek Piper and Joey Wagner react to Illinois basketball's 87-81 loss to Ohio State and what it says about a hyped team that is not living up to expectations. The guys discuss yet another slow start and reasons behind it, E.J. Liddell going off on his home state team again and what Brad Underwood and his players need to do to correct their issues moving forward.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Ryan Easterling discuss Bret Bielema's early approach to building the program. The guys discuss their initial reactions to his first seven staff hirings and how they complement each other. Then the guys discuss the three early transfer additions (RB Chase Hayden, LB Calvin Hart Jr. and FB/TE Max Rosenthal) and big-name transfer targets, including LB Ayodele Adeoye and DB Houston Griffith. The guys end the podcast discussing Bielema's early in-state recruiting push and its potential impact.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner, Derek Piper and Joey Wagner discuss Maryland's 66-63 upset win over No. 12 Illinois. The guys discuss why the loss isn't all that surprising, why it happened and why it could be one to regret in the long-term.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with former Illinois guard Mike LaTulip about Illinois basketball's historically dominant 81-56 comeback win at Northwestern. The guys discuss what that comeback shows about this Illini team but also the concerns of digging so many early holes. Then the guys dive into Kofi Cockburn's improvement and the supporting cast around Cockburn and Ayo Dosunmu before discussing the road ahead for Illinois.