Episode 49 - Chicago's an Illini Town + Year in Review

Episode 49 - Chicago's an Illini Town + Year in Review

Scott was on the ground for Illini Night at the Cubs game and came back feeling something different about Illinois' connection in the city. He and Robert dig into Bret Bielema's comments there and whether this new energy for Illini athletics in Chicago is real. They also ponder whether men's basketball could enter the season as the preseason No. 1, react to the hiring of Jenna Hall as the new softball coach, and close out the year with their top five Illini stories and award predictions. 00:00 Intro 03:52 Illini vibes in Chicago 23:20 Joe Barna and Matthew Bailey's circus 29:38 B1G vs. SEC 42:49 Grandkid artwork 45:36 Will Illini men's basketball be ranked No. 1? 51:48 Hall Call for softball 57:31 The Top Five Stories of the Year 1:11:50 Award Predictions

Episode 48 - Pat Embleton + Mailbag Part 2

What's it like to be charged with assembling the roster for Illinois football? And in a profession with high turnover, how does someone stay one place for 14 seasons and work for four different head coaches? Illinois football general manger Pat Embleton shares with Scott and Robert his life, career and current job -- one that didn't even exist just a few years ago. Then, Scott and Robert answer more mailbag questions. 00:00 Intro 02:11 What exactly does Pat Embleton do? 05:08 Staying through coaching changes 18:14 Discovering and evaluating players 35:16 A favorite commitment 39:44 Bumping chests with Robert 44:02 Mailbag Part 2

Episode 47 - STAYjakovic + Mailbag Pt. 1

Scott and Robert are back together in studio with preemptive reaction to Andrej Stojakovic's decision and other basketball updates. Then they open the mailbag from the Light the I audience. 00:00 Intro 02:58 Andre Stojakovic is going to... 18:36 Women's basketball items 21:25 Baseball season ends in the Big Ten Tourney 28:57 New traffic patters for football 33:48 Mailbag questions: the new defense, football's ceiling, and NIL rankings

Episode 46 - Big Ten Title Drought?

Scott is in Omaha for Big Ten Baseball and Robert is on Grandkid Watch so this from-the-road episode covers Illini baseball, Illini in the NBA Draft, Robert wearing Final Four gear around St. Louis, and the difficulty of winning a Big Ten title with the west coast teams now part of the conference.

Episode 45 - Barry Houser is My Guest

Barry Houser has been the Director of the Marching Illini since 2011. From bowl games to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade to NCAA basketball tournaments to Dublin, he's nearly done it all with Illini bands. Then last month brought came a first - performing at the Final Four. Houser reflects on the 2025-26 year for the MI, some of the lesser known but important band traditions, and preparing for next year. Then, Scott and Robert put his Big Ten knowledge to the test. To make a contribution to the American Brain Tumor Association, please visit: https://www.abta.org/ [https://www.abta.org/] 00:00 Intro 2:28 Requiem for a Flugelhorn 5:07 MI Did Some Stuff This Year 9:33 Barry's First Final Four 16:11 Fall Planning 18:48 Amory Warm Up 21:50 Traditions Old and New 26:19 Behind the Music 29:34 Barry Houser Memorabilia  34:10 Name that Fight Song 42:45 Barry's Favorites