IlliniGuy Mike Cagley talks with IlliniGuys Football Beat Writer Matt Stevens after Illinois announced a new three-year contract extension for Ryan Walters before the end of his first season as the Illini’s defensive coordinator that calls for him to be a seven-figure coordinator through the 2024 season. Under his leadership, Walters’s defense at Illinois has made a 13.3 points per game improvement from last season, the second-best improvement in the nation, while allowing 77.4 fewer yards per g...
Nov 15, 2021•41 min•Ep. 68
IlliniGuys Mike Cagley & Brad Sturdy welcome Kedric Prince (IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting) and they talk about the Illini victory over Arkansas State. The Illini were led by Coleman Hawkins, Jacob Grandison, Trent Frazier, and Andre Curbelo. It was an impressive 39 point victory - and Kofi Cockburn was serving the 2nd of his 3 game NCAA suspension. What would this have been like if he had been playing? Next up is Marquette on the road Monday night. We give you a short preview of that gam...
Nov 13, 2021•24 min•Ep. 67
IlliniGuys Mike Cagley and Brad Sturdy along with Kedric Prince (IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting) breakdown the encouraging Illini victory over Jackson State to open the 21-22 Illini basketball season. There's plenty to talk about with Andre Curbelo, Trent Frazier and Austin Hutcherson sitting out with a variety of injuries and Kofi Cockburn sitting out due to suspension. With such star power on the bench, players like Coleman Hawkins, Jacob Grandison and Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk responded wit...
Nov 10, 2021•32 min•Ep. 66
IlliniGuys Mike Cagley and Brad Sturdy welcome Kedric Prince (IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting) and Matt Stevens (IlliniGuys Staff Writer and Illini Football Beat Writer) to talk about the 2nd highly improbably Illini road victory over a ranked team this season. Don't miss this episode. Whether you live in Champaign or Chicago, halfway across the country or halfway across the world, IlliniGuys.com is the place to go to keep in the know about Illini sports. Please give us a 5 star rating for thi...
Nov 06, 2021•45 min•Ep. 65
IlliniGuy Mike Cagley talks about the crushing Illini loss to Rutgers with Kedric Prince (IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting) and Matt Stevens (IlliniGuys Staff Writer). It's a tough conversation about the limitations of this iteration of the Illini football team. Tune in for all the analysis. Please give us a 5-star rating if you enjoy our podcast, it would be appreciated. Make sure you subscribe at IlliniGuys.com Whether you live in Champaign or Chicago, halfway across the country or halfway ac...
Oct 30, 2021•55 min•Ep. 64
IlliniGuys Mike and Brad talk with Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting in a round table format. Brad breaks down the game and Ked talks about a big visitor to the game. There's always news when you listen to the IlliniGuys. Give us a 5-star rating and share with a friend. Subscribe to IlliniGuys.com for the best coverage of Illini basketball anywhere.
Oct 30, 2021•18 min•Ep. 63
IlliniGuy Mike welcomes Matt Stevens to talk about the Illini QB situation, the Illini offense and the Rutgers game. Don't miss this episode! Remember to give us a 5 star rating if you enjoy our podcast. Subscribe at IlliniGuys.com - whether you live in Champaign or Chicago, half way across the country or halfway across the world, IlliniGuys.com is your best bet to keep up with the Illini.
Oct 29, 2021•23 min•Ep. 62
Join IlliniGuys Mike and Brad as they talk about the destruction of St. Francis (IL) during the opening exhibition of the 2021-22 season. Enjoy the 3rd podcast of the day and the 2nd post-Illini win podcast.
Oct 24, 2021•19 min•Ep. 61
IlliniGuys Mike and Brad talk with Kedric Prince and Matt Stevens about the dramatic (to say the least) 9 OT victory of the Illini on the road versus #7 Penn State. Listen to the Illini talk of how the Bielema Era now has it's signature win - and they set an FBS record with 9 OTs to accomplish the win. The Illini have put themselves into a position to win 3 of their last 4 games and make it to a bowl game. Is it a guarantee? No. Can it be done? Maybe, you just beat the #7 team in the country on ...
Oct 23, 2021•35 min•Ep. 60
IlliniGuys Mike Cagley and Brad Sturdy along with Kedric Prince (IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting) give you a preview of tonight's game. For the first time since Illinois vs Iowa in 2020, the Fighting Illini Men's Basketball team will be playing in front of fans at the State Farm Center. This will be an excellent chance to see a Top 10 team show off for their home town fans. You can also read our game preview here: Illini-St. Francis (IL) Preview - IlliniGuys.com...
Oct 23, 2021•8 min•Ep. 59
Former Illinois Sports Information Director - and Fighting Illini sports historian - Mike Pearson joined Larry Smith recently for an interview. He talks about his own experiences in two stints at the U of I, meeting Red Grange, and why he's bullish on the Illini football program's future.
Oct 15, 2021•18 min•Ep. 58
Join IlliniGuys Mike and Brad as they talk with Kedric Prince (IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting) and Matt Stevens (IlliniGuys Staff Writer) as they discuss the Illini's 24-0 homecoming defeat at the hands of the Wisconsin Badgers. Later, we talk about the open practice held by the Illini men's basketball program. The Fighting Illini made a huge impression on Brad (17 years covering the Illini) and Kedric.
Oct 10, 2021•53 min•Ep. 57
IlliniGuy Mike talks with Matt Stevens (IlliniGuys Staff Writer), Kedric Prince (IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting), and IlliniGuy Brad Sturdy. They talk about the impressive defense and running game that led to a victory over Charlotte. And a big update on basketball recruiting. The fearsome Illini basketball team featuring Kofi Cockburn and Andre Curbelo is back at practice and you won't believe who was there to watch! If you want the best in Illini sports coverage subscribe to IlliniGuys.com ...
Oct 02, 2021•37 min•Ep. 56
IlliniGuy Brad Sturdy simulcasts a Sturdy for 30 podcast as he interviews Illini Assistant Basketball Coach Geoff Alexander. Find out what is going on as basketball practice is getting ready to tip off. Listen now!
Sep 30, 2021•38 min•Ep. 55
A great interview requires a fantastic guest (Mike DeCourcy) and an excellent interviewer (IlliniGuy Larry Smith). DeCourcy and Smith - don't miss it. One of the best college basketball analysts brought to you by the IlliniGuys.
Sep 28, 2021•24 min•Ep. 54
IlliniGuys Mike and Brad talk to Kedric Prince (IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting) and Matt Stevens (IlliniGuys Staff Writer and Football Beat Reporter). We discuss the Choice - when Coach Bielema chooses to punt on 4th & 2 on the Purdue 34 late in the game - instead of going for it or kicking a field goal. We talk about all angles of the game as we process a loss that drops the Illini to 1-4. With a few breaks, the Illini could be 4-1, or 0-5. It's a crazy year 1 for the Bret Bielema era of...
Sep 26, 2021•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 53
IlliniGuy Mike leads a discussion on the challenges in front of the Illini football offense. He is joined by Kedric Prince (IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting), Matt Stevens (IlliniGuys Staff Writer and Beat Report for Illinois Football) and Brandon Wildman (host of the I on the Lines - which releases every Thursday here on IlliniGuys.com). We have some challenging conversations about diagnosing what is wrong with the Illinois offense, what can be done to fix and how one would go about changing t...
Sep 23, 2021•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 52
Don't miss this week’s SPECIAL episode of I on the Illini. Please listen and share on your social media sites. Illini QB legend Jack Trudeau and Illini WR legend David Williams talk about the Mike White era, their favorite play and Jack’s ongoing health issues. Jack suffered a stroke on January 22nd and two more later in the year. He opens up about his health and the challenges one faces after a stroke. If you want to donate to help Jack deal with the costs associated with a stroke, please go to...
Sep 20, 2021•51 min•Ep. 51
IlliniGuy Mike talks with IlliniGuy Brad and IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting Kedric Prince immediately after the Maryland game. Then, IlliniGuy Mike is joined by IlliniGuys Staff Writer Matt Stevens after he talked with coaches and players about the game. Get the behind the scenes details - only from IlliniGuys. Don't miss our next episode coming Monday morning in an interview with Illini Legends Jack Trudeau and David Williams.
Sep 18, 2021•40 min•Ep. 50
IlliniGuy Mike talks with IlliniGuys Staff Writer and Illini Football Beat Writer Matt Stevens and IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting Kedric Prince as they break down the one-sided 42-14 loss to Virginia. We talk about the game, talk about the task ahead of Bret Bielema, and the history of the Illini football program. It's a free wheeling conversation that is worth the listen. Also check out this column on Illini football history to help frame that part of our discussion: Mike Cagley's Heat Check...
Sep 11, 2021•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 49
Join IlliniGuy Mike as he talks with IlliniGuy Brad, Matt Stevens (IlliniGuys Staff Writer), and Kedric Prince (IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting) about the upset loss suffered by the Illini on Saturday night. Listen to the discussion and make sure that you're understanding the challenges in front of the Illini as Coach Bielema moves forward with his rebuilding of the Fighting Illini football program. Whether you live in Champaign or Chicago, halfway across the US or halfway across the world, Il...
Sep 05, 2021•42 min•Ep. 48
IlliniGuy Larry talks to Creg McDonald about a new way to think of the Name Image Likeness rules and how to help the Illini. Why should Nick Saban and Alabama have all the fun? Listen now!
Aug 30, 2021•24 min•Ep. 47
IlliniGuy Mike talks with IlliniGuys Staff Writer Matt Stevens and IlliniGuy Director of Recruiting Kedric Prince about the first victory of the Bielema Era and the recruiting advantages that will be derived from today's performance.
Aug 28, 2021•15 min•Ep. 46
This is it - the first ever IlliniGuys Top 50 College Basketball Players ranking. Connor Cagley has ranked the 2022 class and has come up with his Top 50. See who ends up in the Top 10 and see where Illini recruits and their latest targets ended up. Get his insight on the rankings and how they came to be. Check out the IlliniGuys rankings on IlliniGuys dot com.
Aug 26, 2021•17 min•Ep. 45
IlliniGuy Mike and IlliniGuys Staff Writer Matt Stevens preview the Nebraska vs Illinois game coming up this Saturday at Memorial Stadium. The Bielema Era begins and runs headlong into Scott Frost's strongest Nebraska team in his four year tenure as the Cornhuskers coach. Find out what to look for and what Matt expects to see come Saturday. Then, Mike and Matt tell you how they really feel about the newest B1G-ACC-PAC12 response to the SEC poaching Oklahoma and Texas from the Big12. This discuss...
Aug 25, 2021•56 min•Ep. 44
IlliniGuy Mike interviews IlliniGuys Staff Writer Matt Stevens as Matt covers what Game Week is like for Illini football players. We also talk about Coach Bielema's press conference and the naming of six team captains. Keep on the lookout for the IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular, the first syndicated Illini-centric radio show. Available on stations across Illinois or on Sunday as a podcast. Don't miss it.
Aug 20, 2021•44 min•Ep. 43
During the craziness of August football camp, Tank Wright takes time out of his day to talk Illini football and what he's doing to help Coach Bielema to transform the team towards success. IlliniGuy Mike has a quick discussion with Tank Wright. Tune in today!
Aug 11, 2021•14 min•Ep. 42
IlliniGuy Mike sits down with IlliniGuys Staff Writer Matt Stevens to discuss all things Illini football through Friday of Week 1 of August camp. Listen to a fantastic verbal supplement to a week's worth of great reporting that Matt provided exclusively for subscribers of IlliniGuys.
Aug 07, 2021•43 min•Ep. 41
Prep Hoops Scott Burgess and IlliniGuys Connor Cagley break down a ton of potential Illinois recruits. IlliniGuy Mike hosts the show. Don't miss the discussion on Jayden Epps, Jaden Schutt, Braden Huff, JJ Taylor, Owen Freeman, Ty Pence, Asa Thomas, James Brown, Jayden Smith, Morez Johnson, and Chris Riddell. If you're a recruiting addict, this is the podcast. Tune in today.
Aug 03, 2021•53 min•Ep. 40
Listen to IlliniGuy Brad, IlliniGuy Director of Recruiting Kedric Prince, and IlliniGuy Mike talk about the NBA Draft tonight, B1G draft results, how NBA GMs draft and how does Kofi's decision look now. After a long draft, the IlliniGuys get up off of the couch and provide their opinions.
Jul 30, 2021•33 min•Ep. 39
