Illini Inquirer Podcast: An Illinois Fighting Illini athletics podcast

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner catches up with The 200 Level's Michael Carpenter to chat about a busy last two weeks in Illini athletics. The guys first discuss the hiring of Bret Bielema, what he brings to the program and how Josh Whitman decided to hire him. The guys also try to put the Lovie Smith era into historical context. Then the guys chat about Illinois basketball's 5-3 start to the season, what they need to stack wins and if they change expectations at all.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Derek Piper react to Illinois basketball's 91-88 loss at No. 19 Rutgers. The guys discuss fouling issues, some freshmen moments and whether we should adjust expectations after Illinois fell to 2-3 against high-major opponents.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner dives into Illinois football's recent in-state recruiting issues and how Bret Bielema will attack recruiting the state's top prospects. IHSFCA president Mark Grounds discusses his chat with Bielema hours after Bielema was named the new Illini head coach and how his approach already differs from Lovie Smith. Then EdgyTim.com's Tim O'Halloran discusses Bielema's history in recruiting the state and realistic expectations for the Illini recruiting the state.

Illini Inquirer publisher Jeremy Werner explores what went well and what went wrong at new Illinois coach Bret Bielema's two previous head coaching stints. Benjamin Worgull of BadgerBlitz.com breaks down why Bielema had such success following in Barry Alvarez's footsteps at Wisconsin, how he lifted the Badgers to three straight B1G titles and why he abruptly left in 2012. Then Trey Biddy of HawgSports.com about what Bielema brought to Arkansas, how he lifted the program to three straight bowls but didn't quite live up to expectations resulting in his dismissal after five seasons.

Extra reading

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner, Ryan Easterling and Isaac Trotter react to Illinois hiring former Wisconsin, Arkansas coach Bret Bielema. The guys break down what this move says about what Josh Whitman wants and the guys break down how Bielema fits at Illinois from a personality, recruiting, on-field identity and staff-building standpoint at Illinois.

Extra reading

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Derek Piper discuss No. 13 Illinois basketball 92-65 win over Minnesota in the Big Ten opener. The guys react to Kofi Cockburn's career night (33 points, 13 rebounds) and what it means for the sophomore big man. The guys also discuss the Illini's shutdown defense and the performances of freshmen Andre Curbelo and Adam Miller before looking ahead to Sunday's game at No. 19 Rutgers.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Ryan Easterling break down and discuss more Illinois football coaching candidate possibilities. The guys discuss taking a shot at Cincinnati coach Luke Fickell and the merits of coordinator candidates Jim Leonhard (Wisconsin) and Marcus Freeman (Cincinnati). Then the guys talk about potential retread power-five coaches like Bret Bielema, Jim McElwain and Kevin Sumlin before chatting about potential power-five coaches Whitman could steal, including Dave Clawson (Wake Forest), Justin Wilcox (Cal) and Dave Doeren (NC State) before ending with some fan fantasy possibilities.

Extra reading

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with Ryan Easterling and Isaac Trotter about Illinois firing football coach Lovie Smith after five seasons. The guys talk about AD Josh Whitman's decision, what went wrong with the Lovie Smith experiment and the coaching market available to the Illini. Then the guys break down their most intriguing candidates for the position.

Extra reading

Illini Inquirer publisher Jeremy Werner chats about Illinois athletics' terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. He chats with former Illinois guard Mike LaTulip about Illini basketball's 81-78 loss at Missouri. Then Jeremy gives his thoughts on the Illini football program and Lovie Smith's status following a 28-10 loss to rival Northwestern.

Extra reading

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with PowerMizzou.com's Mitchell Forde to preview Saturday's Braggin' Rights basketball game. Forde breaks down the biggest improvements for 4-0 Mizzou, how much this game means to the team and individual performances of Mark Smith, Jeremiah Tilmon, Javon Pickett and Xavier Pinson. Then Jeremy chats with Illinois men's basketball PA announcer and Champaign resident Tim Sinclair about landing the Chicago Bulls PA gig.