Podcast appearances and mentions of Bret Bielema

The New York Knicks are 1 game away from the NBA Title and we talk about the craziest comeback in NBA Finals history and an unreal night in NYC on Wednesday. Wemby and DeAron Fox falling short, Memes and Zac gearing up for Game 5 in San Antonio and Hater Hank out in full force (00:00:00-00:44:52). We talk Stanley Cup Final and the Knights might have a Carter Hart problem plus World Cup Day 1 (00:44:52-00:58:34). Spencer Hawes joins us in studio to talk about Game 5 which he attended, what the Spurs can do to get back in the series, what a team talks about after a loss like that and more (00:58:34-01:25:37). Illini Head Coach Bret Bielema joins the show to talk football, Chili's and Pig Farming (01:25:37-02:03:51). Preseason Mt Rushmore with Hanks dad as we do the Mt Rushmore of Non Alcoholic drinks plus Fyre Fest of the week.You can find every episode of this show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Netflix. Prime Members can listen ad-free on Amazon Music. For more, visit barstool.link/pardon-my-take

Sunny Verma from Locked On Illini joins the show to discuss why former Illinois star Keaton Wagler potentially landing with the Chicago Bulls could be an ideal situation for both sides.  The conversation also turns to the latest Illinois football and basketball recruiting developments as Bret Bielema and Brad Underwood continue building momentum on the recruiting trail. From quarterback commitments to basketball targets, we discuss the names Illini fans need to know. Later, we take a trip down memory lane and draft our Top 10 Players of the Tim Beckman Era at Illinois. Despite the struggles of those teams, several standout players emerged and left lasting marks on the program. Plus, listeners get introduced to the newest member of The Drive team as we welcome intern Quinn Flavin to the show! Follow The Drive on X, Instagram, and Facebook.

The New York Knicks are one win away from their first NBA title since 1973 after completing the largest comeback in NBA Finals history Wednesday night. New York erased a 29-point deficit and stunned the San Antonio Spurs 107-106 in Game 4 at Madison Square Garden. OG Anunoby delivered the game-winning tip-in with 1.2 seconds remaining, capping a historic rally that saw the Knicks outscore San Antonio 58-30 in the second half. Carson Gourdie  from WICS-TV & Fox-Illinois breaks down what Illini Football landing Tolono Unity quarterback Dane Eisenmenger means for the future of Bret Bielema's quarterback room, how recent commitments are shaping the Illini's recruiting momentum, and why Lincoln Williams could be a difference-maker for Illinois basketball. Plus, Carson has an update on St. Joe-Ogden baseball as the Spartans prepare for the IHSA Class 2A State Finals, looking to cap another remarkable postseason run with a state championship.

Kyle Tausk of Illini Inquirer breaks down why the addition of Lincoln Williams was perfect timing for Brad Underwood and Illinois Basketball after the late recruiting cycle. Williams finished his high school career with 1,853 points and gives the Illini another talented in-state guard with scoring ability and defensive upside. Plus, Kyle reviews the impressive start by Illinois signee Quentin Coleman with Team USA at the FIBA U18 AmeriCup, where the freshman forward opened tournament play with an 11-point, 15-rebound double-double and showcased the athleticism that has Illini fans excited. Also, the guys discuss Tolono Unity quarterback Dane Eisenmenger committing to Illinois Football and what the local standout brings to Bret Bielema's quarterback room moving forward.

06/09/26 Hour 1: Illinois Football lands 3-Star Quarterback Sladen Shack - what you need to know; Cardinals vs Mets and Cubs vs Rockies Preview Illinois football added another piece to its future quarterback room as three-star 2027 signal caller Sladen Shack from Brandon, Mississippi announced his commitment to Bret Bielema and the Illini. The 6-foot-1, 211-pound quarterback chose Illinois over offers from Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, UConn, South Florida, East Carolina and others. Shack is rated as one of Mississippi's top prospects in the Class of 2027 and becomes Illinois' quarterback commitment for the cycle after the staff reset its recruiting board this spring. Illinois coaches Art Sitkowski and Barry Lunney Jr. prioritized Shack following strong evaluations and an official visit to Champaign. The commitment continues Illinois' recent pipeline into Mississippi, following the success of former Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer.  Then we shift to baseball as the Cardinals open a three-game series against the Mets at Citi Field. St. Louis enters the matchup at 35-28 and currently holds the top National League Wild Card position, while New York sits at 29-36 but comes home with momentum after winning series against both San Diego and Seattle. Young stars Jordan Walker and JJ Wetherholt continue to fuel the Cardinals' surprising season, while the Mets welcome catcher Francisco Alvarez back from the injured list ahead of the series opener. The matchup features two teams trying to strengthen their playoff positioning in a crowded National League race. Meanwhile, the Cubs begin a six-game season series with the Rockies at Coors Field. Chicago enters the series looking to gain ground after an inconsistent stretch, while Colorado continues rebuilding after a difficult 2025 campaign. The probable pitching matchups feature Colin Rea vs. Tomoyuki Sugano, Shota Imanaga vs. Michael Lorenzen, and Edward Cabrera vs. Ryan Feltner. Despite Colorado's struggles, Coors Field has historically been a difficult place for the Cubs, making this an important road test as they try to stay in the National League playoff picture. 

The future continues to look bright in Champaign as Illinois basketball adds one of the state's rising stars, Kankakee standout Lincoln Williams. Williams turned heads throughout his high school career, including a record-setting 44-point performance that broke Kankakee's single-game scoring mark, and now gives the Illini another talented in-state piece for the future. On the football side, Bret Bielema and his staff continue to build recruiting momentum, adding three more commitments as Illinois looks to follow up what has become one of the strongest recruiting stretches in program history. The Illini have elevated their recruiting profile significantly in recent years, consistently landing top in-state talent and competing for higher-ranked classes nationally. Plus, we pay tribute to legendary Bulls broadcaster and former NBA champion Stacey King. All that and more in today's Illini Headlines.

In Interviews of the Week on 104.3 The Score, FS1 host Danny Parkins joined the Rahimi, Harris & Grote Show to share an epic rant about Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson admitting he left a Bears-Packers game early; Chicago Sports Network analyst Clay Harbor joined the Rahimi, Harris & Grote Show to share his observations from watching Bears OTAs; and Illinois football coach Bret Bielema joined the Mully & Haugh Show to discuss the state of college football and to explain why he was amazed by what he saw from quarterback Caleb Williams while attending a recent Bears practice.

In Interviews of the Week on 104.3 The Score, FS1 host Danny Parkins joined the Rahimi, Harris & Grote Show to share an epic rant about Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson admitting he left a Bears-Packers game early; Chicago Sports Network analyst Clay Harbor joined the Rahimi, Harris & Grote Show to share his observations from watching Bears OTAs; and Illinois football coach Bret Bielema joined the Mully & Haugh Show to discuss the state of college football and to explain why he was amazed by what he saw from quarterback Caleb Williams while attending a recent Bears practice.

In Interviews of the Week on 104.3 The Score, FS1 host Danny Parkins joined the Rahimi, Harris & Grote Show to share an epic rant about Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson admitting he left a Bears-Packers game early; Chicago Sports Network analyst Clay Harbor joined the Rahimi, Harris & Grote Show to share his observations from watching Bears OTAs; and Illinois football coach Bret Bielema joined the Mully & Haugh Show to discuss the state of college football and to explain why he was amazed by what he saw from quarterback Caleb Williams while attending a recent Bears practice.

Joe DeLeone and Blake Ruffino discuss Greg Sankey speaking on a super league, tampering punishments handed to North Dakota and what it means for Pete Golding, and Bret Bielema calling out Notre Dame AD Pete Bevacqua.

CBS Sports college football writer Tom Fornelli, a U of I graduate, joins Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner to discuss his thoughts on Illinois football entering Year Six under Bret Bielema. Fornelli discusses what Bielema has accomplished, how new QB Katin Houser fits Barry Lunney Jr.'s offense, the hiring of defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck and 2026 expectations. Fornelli also discusses his thoughts on the state of college football and who he's buying and selling in the Big Ten in 2026.SUPPORT OUR SPONSORCheers Health: For a limited time our listeners are getting 20% off their entire order by using code ILLINI at CheersHealth.com. Just head to CheersHealth.com and use code ILLINI for 20% Off. Follow the Illini Inquirer Podcast on:Apple: https://apple.co/3oMt0NPSpotify: https://spoti.fi/2Xan2L8 Other: https://bit.ly/36gn7Ct Go VIP for just 50% OFF: https://tinyurl.com/2fkhmjdz

Ranking the Top 10 Big Ten Head Coaches (Who Will Make Fans Mad?) | Buckeye Weekly PodcastOn the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr rank their top 10 Big Ten head coaches and debate several controversial placements, including P.J. Fleck, Matt Rhule, Jedd Fisch, Bob Chesney, Bret Bielema, and Lincoln Riley. They discuss Kirk Ferentz and Kyle Whittingham as long-tenured, consistently tough coaches, question Riley's postseason results at USC, and evaluate Dan Lanning's Oregon success alongside concerns about recent playoff performances. They compare Ryan Day's sustained achievements at Ohio State with Curt Cignetti's rapid rise and national title at Indiana, emphasizing degree of difficulty. The episode ends with updates on launching a new Ohio State football community at buckeyeinsiders.com and where to follow the show online.00:00 Welcome and Setup00:10 Ranking Criteria and Format00:50 Number 10 03:46 Number 9 06:46 Number 8 10:10 Number 711:32 Number 613:33 Number 5 17:40 Number 4 20:34 Top 3 Debate23:52 Top 2 and Number 127:05 Wrap Up and Plug

Isaac Ambrose joins the show to break down Bret Bielema's recent comments directed toward Notre Dame Athletic Director Pete Bevacqua and what they reveal about college football scheduling, playoff access, and the changing power structure of the sport. The conversation then shifts to Illinois basketball and a debate that continues to gain steam in Champaign: has Brad Underwood already become the greatest coach in Illini history? With multiple Big Ten titles, deep NCAA Tournament runs, and the program's sustained success, the case for Underwood is stronger than ever. How does he stack up against Illinois legends such as Lou Henson and Harry Combes? Plus, the NBA Finals opened with a surprise as the New York Knicks stunned the San Antonio Spurs in Game 1, stealing home-court advantage behind a strong fourth-quarter performance and putting early pressure on the Western Conference champions.

We answer listener questions about Notre Dame football to open the show and then discuss comments from Illinois football Bret Bielema on Notre Dame and more later in Rapid Fire. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We answer listener questions about Notre Dame football to open the show and then discuss comments from Illinois football Bret Bielema on Notre Dame and more later in Rapid Fire. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Matt Spiegel and Laurence Holmes listened and reacted to Illinois football coach Bret Bielema's comments on the Mully & Haugh Show about what he saw in attending Bears OTAs recently.

In the final hour, Leila Rahimi and Marshall Harris were joined by Illinois defensive back Matthew Bailey and defensive lineman/linebacker Joe Barna to discuss head coach Bret Bielema's leadership, the team's outlook for 2026 and more. After that, Chicago Sports Network analyst Steve Stone joined the show to discuss star slugger Munetaka Murakami's hamstring injury, the club's pitching, the AL Central race and more.

In the final hour, Mike Mulligan and David Haugh were joined live in studio by Illinois football coach Bret Bielema to discuss his Illini's outlook for the 2026 season, potential College Football Playoff expansion, what he learned in attending Bears practice recently and more. After that, Capitol News Illinois political reporter Brenden Moore joined the show to discuss the latest developments in the Bears' pursuit of a new stadium after their recent efforts stalled in Springfield.

Mike Mulligan and David Haugh were joined live in studio by Illinois football coach Bret Bielema to discuss his Illini's outlook for the 2026 season, potential College Football Playoff expansion, what he learned in attending Bears practice recently and more.

Ohio State opens Big Ten play against Illinois on Sept. 26, and this matchup may be more interesting than Buckeye fans realize. Illinois has won 19 games over the last two seasons, Bret Bielema has built a solid Big Ten program, and the Illini added transfer quarterback Katin Houser after his breakout season at East Carolina. But is that enough to seriously challenge Ohio State in the Shoe? In this episode of The Daily Buckeye Blitz, we break down Ohio State vs Illinois, including Katin Houser, Illinois' new-look 3-3-5 defense, Bret Bielema's track record against Ohio State, and why the Buckeyes should still control this game. Tuesday, June 2, 2026   Join Kalshi and Get $10 Subscribe to the Podcast

The Athletic's Scott Dochterman joins Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner to discuss the state of college football and tectonic shifts in the sport. Dochterman discusses the push to expand the College Football Playoff to 24 teams and the rising cost of rosters, and then he gives his thoughts on Illinois football under Bret Bielema and the top stories for the 2026 Big Ten football season. SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS Columbia Street Roastery: Head to ⁠⁠CSRcoffee.com⁠ and use code IlliniAllTheWay to get 10 percent off your first order and get free shipping on orders of over $45. Cheers Health: For a limited time our listeners are getting 20% off their entire order by using code ILLINI at CheersHealth.com. Just head to CheersHealth.com and use code ILLINI for 20% Off.  Follow the Illini Inquirer Podcast on: Apple: https://apple.co/3oMt0NP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Xan2L8  Other: https://bit.ly/36gn7Ct   Go VIP for just 50% OFF: https://tinyurl.com/2fkhmjdz 

Bret Bielema has been in the room 18 times as a head coach in the two biggest conferences in the game.This year, the room was Big Ten spring meetings in Southern California.Head coaches, athletic directors, commissioners, all in the same space, hashing out the future of the game. And what came out of Terranea this year was one the entire sport was anticipating — a playoff expansion debate that isn't slowing down, a new punt rule nobody practiced for, and a conference room full of some of the best coaches in the sport figuring out what comes next.Todd Blackledge and I brought Illinois head coach Bret Bielema on this weeks episode of Y-Option: College Football with Yogi Roth to break it all down, fueled by our founding sponsor 76, keeping you on the GO GO GO so you never miss a beatHere's what stood out:* Coach Bielema wants 24 teams in the playoff — And he has receipts. He was leading a 12-1 Wisconsin team in the BCS era that got left out and that experience never left him. His argument now, is that the sport has changed too much — NIL, revenue share, roster management — for only 12 teams to have a chance at winning it all. * The punt rule landed wrong — Not because it's necessarily a bad rule, but because it showed up after spring ball, with zero preparation time. In 18 years as a head coach, Coach Bielema has never seen something this consequential arrive so late and so unannounced. * The Big Ten room itself is different — He described it with real affection. P.J. Fleck to his right, Matt Rhule to his left, Dan Lanning and Curt Cignetti in the mix. Coaches who are who they are, every single day. And above all, Tony Petitti — a commissioner who communicates before the meeting, not during it. Nobody walks in cold. Nobody gets defensive. That, Coach Bielema says, is what separates this conference right now.Then we turned to Champaign — and what's being built inside that building.48% of his roster is new and for this program to meet its expectations and recent standards they must develop a true connection with one another and that is the focus of this off-season. The way Coach Bielema guides that is what will stand out. On the field, he's as excited about his wide receiver room as he's ever been, his safeties could be among the best in the conference and quarterback Katin Houser heads into fall camp as the guy.But the line that stuck with me didn't come from the coach. It came from Houser himself, during our spring visit.“Around here, the hallways are warm.”Hope you enjoy today's conversation and we are so appreciative of the support as we continue to grow Y-Option. Please be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you never miss a beat.Much love and stay steady, YogiY-Option: College Football Coast to Coast is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.y-option.com/subscribe

The Giants can move past the Jaxson Dart controversy quickly if the locker room keeps frustrations internal, but the cost is proving this young team can handle pressure without letting every disagreement become a public problem.Follow on Spotify and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts if you enjoy no-BS Giants debate.Did the Giants actually move past the Jaxson Dart locker-room issue? The answer depends on whether the leaders who spoke up — Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Jameis Winston — turn that meeting into a reset instead of another storyline.The episode starts with the reported Giants meeting where Jaxson Dart addressed teammates after introducing President Trump. Drew and Rob talk through whether this was just an awkward headline that needed to be handled internally, or whether it was the first real leadership test for Dart and the John Harbaugh-era locker room. The conversation also covers Abdul Carter missing the meeting for Eid al-Adha and why that should not become cheap blame if Dart and Carter already handled things privately.Is this story actually over, or just quieter?Andrew Thomas restructuring his contract becomes the next major Giants topic. The guys explain why the added cap space matters, why Arvell Reese's rookie deal still affects the real number, and why this move is more likely about injury flexibility and cutdown-day roster moves than a splashy Odell Beckham Jr. return.Did the Giants just create useful breathing room, or are fans reading too much into a basic cap move?The OTA conversation focuses on D.J. Reader, Dru Phillips, and Patrick Ricard returning to the field, while also keeping expectations realistic because spring practices without pads only reveal so much. The defensive line depth concern gets real after the Roy Robertson-Harris injury, Shelby Harris' absence, and the basic truth that NFL injuries are going to keep coming.J.C. Davis becomes the offensive line debate of the episode. Bret Bielema praised his ability to play all four guard and tackle spots, while Drew pushes back and says the tape looks more like guard. John Harbaugh's comments also point to a swing guard/tackle role, raising the question of whether Davis is a future left guard, a real utility lineman, or another Giants guard/tackle project that could become risky behind Andrew Thomas.The episode closes with one of the better Giants stories of the offseason: Tom Coughlin, Eli Manning, John Harbaugh, Shaun O'Hara, and Gotham FC going full Mario Kart for the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation. Coughlin as Mario, Eli as Luigi, Harbaugh as Yoshi, and Shaun O'Hara as Donkey Kong made for a fun visual, but the real story is the charity work for families facing childhood cancer.Merch: https://2giantgoofballs-shop.fourthwall.com/Support: https://buymeacoffee.com/2giantgoofballsAll episodes: https://2giantgoofballs.buzzsprout.com/Send us Fan MailSupport the show

All-American linebacker J Leman joins Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner to discuss Illinois football's offseason changes, 2026 roster and expectations. Leman breaks down his thoughts on Bret Bielema hiring Bobby Hauck as defensive coordinator and the 3-3-5 defense, QB Katin Houser's fit in Barry Lunney Jr.'s offense and the talent around him and what this 2026 season means for Bielema's program. SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS Columbia Street Roastery: Head to ⁠⁠CSRcoffee.com⁠ and use code IlliniAllTheWay to get 10 percent off your first order and get free shipping on orders of over $45. Cheers Health: For a limited time our listeners are getting 20% off their entire order by using code ILLINI at CheersHealth.com. Just head to CheersHealth.com and use code ILLINI for 20% Off.  Follow the Illini Inquirer Podcast on: Apple: https://apple.co/3oMt0NP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Xan2L8  Other: https://bit.ly/36gn7Ct   Go VIP for just 50% OFF: https://tinyurl.com/2fkhmjdz 

Head Coach of the University of Illinois, Bret Bielema, tells us what makes Giants 6th round pick, J.C. Davis, such a versatile offensive lineman, what he excels at on the football field, and his personality on and off the field. 00:00 - J.C. Davis’ growth at Illinois 5:20 - Davis’ skillset 8:30 - Transitioning to the league 11:10 - Run blocking 12:25 - Davis’ personalitySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thursday's 9am hour of Mac & Cube saw Wimp Sanderson, former men's basketball coach at Alabama, tell us why he loves what Kalen DeBoer is doing, why he's against ABS in baseball, and what the perception is of a few SEC teams; then, Ray Tanner, former baseball coach & AD at South Carolina, says what they always loved about the SEC Baseball Tournament, how they feel about ABS in the game, and why he loved taking multi-sport athletes; later, we go over a few notable news & notes like Ed Orgeron returning to LSU and Bret Bielema wanting a 32-team Playoff; and finally, the guys don't like how Lane Kiffin pointed out some players aren't up for all the games. "McElroy & Cubelic In The Morning" airs 7am-10am weekdays on WJOX-94.5!!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats about the latest in Illinois football recruiting, including three-star OL Mason Halliman's commitment. Then Yogi Roth, analyst for NBC Sports and Big Ten Network, joins Werner to give his thoughts on the growth of Illinois football and the Big Ten and what Bret Bielema and Barry Lunney Jr. do so well. He then breaks down new QB Katin Houser's game and the upside and downside of Bobby Hauck's new 3-3-5 defense. SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS Visit OmahaSteaks.com right now for 50% off sitewide during their Memorial Day Sale. And for an extra $35 off, use Promo Code ILLINI at checkout. Factor: Head to ⁠factormeals.com/illini50off⁠ and use code illini50off to get 50% off your first Factor box PLUS free breakfast for 1 year. Follow the Illini Inquirer Podcast on: Apple: https://apple.co/3oMt0NP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Xan2L8  Other: https://bit.ly/36gn7Ct   Go VIP for just 50% OFF: https://tinyurl.com/2fkhmjdz  To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On Josh Pate’s College Football Show Ep 735 Josh Pate reacts to coaches and administrators lobbying to expand the College Football Playoff to 24 teams? Who has the best interest of the sport at heart? Will these changes happen? The College Football schedule is out for 2026 and it’s time for Josh Pate to draft the best games each week. Where do matchups like LSU vs Ole Miss, Oregon vs Ohio State, Miami vs Notre Dame, and UGA vs Alabama rank? Bold Prediction season continues tonight as we look at takes viewers are willing to put their name behind. Big Ten job approval ratings are back as we dive into the vibes around Ryan Day at Ohio State, Matt Rhule at Nebraska, and Bret Bielema at Illinois. Be sure to let us know what you think, SUBSCRIBE to the channel, and CLICK THE BELL for notifications as we bring you multiple live shows per week!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Josh Pate’s College Football Show Ep 734 Josh Pate reacts to coaches and administrators lobbying to expand the College Football Playoff to 24 teams? Who has the best interest of the sport at heart? Will these changes happen? Bold Prediction season continues tonight as we look at takes viewers are willing to put their name behind. Big Ten job approval ratings are back as we dive into the vibes around Ryan Day at Ohio State, Matt Rhule at Nebraska, and Bret Bielema at Illinois. What do early mock drafts tell us about the potential national title picture for 2026? All that plus behind the scenes stories from Josh’s trip to Clemson to sit down with Dabo Swinney. Be sure to let us know what you think, SUBSCRIBE to the channel, and CLICK THE BELL for notifications as we bring you multiple live shows per week!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner discusses Illinois football coach Bret Bielema's comments on recruiting the Class of 2027 and then chats with the Star Tribune's Chris Hine about former Illinois basketball stars Ayo Dosunmu and Terrence Shannon Jr. playing key roles in the Minnesota Timberwolves advancing past the Denver Nuggets in the NBA Playoffs and their futures with the franchise. SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR Omaha Steaks: Go to ⁠https://OmahaSteaks.com⁠ to get their Burger Perfection Pack! And use promo code ILLINI at checkout for an extra $35 off. Minimum purchase may apply. Factor: Head to ⁠factormeals.com/illini50off⁠ and use code illini50off to get 50% off your first Factor box PLUS free breakfast for 1 year. Follow the Illini Inquirer Podcast on: Apple: https://apple.co/3oMt0NP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Xan2L8  Other: https://bit.ly/36gn7Ct   Go VIP for just 50% OFF: https://tinyurl.com/2fkhmjdz  To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hour 2 featured Carson Gourdie breaking down Bret Bielema's latest press conference and why Illinois freshmen could see significant playing time this season. The guys also continued the discussion surrounding Andrej Stojaković and what his NBA Draft decision means moving forward. Don't worry - he's most likely coming back. Later, the crew made their picks for the Kentucky Derby before wrapping up the week with another edition of Friday Toasts! Follow The Drive on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook!

Chuck's opening monologue. Chuck and Heath discuss whether how the Brendan Sorsby gambling saga came to light and if it matters. Jarret Johnson of Inside the Red Raiders assesses where things stand for Texas Tech after potentially losing Sorsby for this season.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is Illinois Illini Head Coach Bret Bielema trying to start a war of words with Georgia Bulldogs Head Coach Kirby Smart? The Illinois Football coach pointed a finger at the Georgia Football coach over a misrepresented piece of video. Matt Campbell gets asked where Penn State needs to grow the most before fall camp Division Street Events, in partnership with the Japan Gridiron Association, announced today that it will stage the Tokyo Oregon Football Showcase presented by Flight Club, taking place June 25-27 in Tokyo. This groundbreaking international event will bring the Oregon Ducks football team to Japan, celebrating the deep-rooted historical connection between Oregon and Japanese American Football and tapping into the growing enthusiasm for the sport in the region. Is this Dan Lanning's best Oregon team? Dan Lanning gets asked what he's pleased with about the team after the spring Expectations at Ole Miss - Pete Golding on managing expectations and the target on their back - stop worrying about the wrong shit Can Ohio State get back on top? Ryan Day gets asked about his sense of this year's team - we're a work in progress SUBSCRIBE: @NextRoundLive - / @nextroundlive FOLLOW TNR ON SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/7zlofzLZht7dYxjNcBNpWN FOLLOW TNR ON APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-next-round/id1797862560 WEBSITE: https://nextroundlive.com/ MOBILE APP: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-next-round/id1580807480 SHOP THE NEXT ROUND STORE: https://nextround.store/ Like TNR on Facebook: / nextroundlive Follow TNR on Twitter: / nextroundlive Follow TNR on Instagram: / nextroundlive Follow everyone from the show on Twitter: Jim Dunaway: / jimdunaway Ryan Brown: / ryanbrownlive Lance Taylor: / thelancetaylor Scott Forester: / scottforestertv Tyler Johns: /TylerJohnsTNR Sponsor the show: sales@nextroundlive.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy Tuesday! It's an Austin and Birm edition of the Buckeye Show. We open with thoughts on Ohio State post-spring and heading into summer. We get breaking news during the show that the NCAA Tournament is expanding to 76 teams. Can Legend Bey make the most of his spring opportunities? We hit the trail with Mick Walker. There's more to the Brendan Sorsby Saga and Bret Bielema gives his thoughts on tampering. We talk about the blessing and the curse of Ohio State's Draft Success. PFF has Julian projected to go #1 Overall in the 2027 Draft. #Buckeyes and more!

Connor Riley joins Dukes and Bell to discuss the Georgia Bulldogs' presence in the NFL Draft and the program's recruiting strategy. They explore the historical coaching friction between Kirby Smart and Bret Bielema before shifting focus to the Atlanta Hawks' physical matchup against the Knicks. This conversation also covers the retirement of local meteorologist David Chandley and a viral driving incident at Topgolf. 01:50 - Braves Rotation and Tigers Series 06:42 - Connor Riley on Bulldogs Draft 12:16 - Georgia Recruiting and Portal Talk 19:45 - Hawks and Knicks Game 5 Preview 24:00 - Jalen Johnson and NBA Superstars 30:20 - Braves Mascot and FIFA Updates 36:52 - Sunday Night Football Media News 41:12 - Kenny Albert's Historic Record

Live Show Tuesday and Thursday, 3pm est.SOCIALS: https://linktr.ee/drewberquistWEBSITE: https://AirItOutBro.com #DrewBerquist #Balls&Banter #BallsShow Notes/Links: Oklahoma principal tackles gunman/school shooter before he can do any harmhttps://x.com/RpsAgainstTrump/status/2044204015626465447?s=20Jury finds that Live Nation and Ticketmaster illegally monopolized ticketing market in a high-stakes antitrust trialhttps://x.com/Breaking911/status/2044493143471501650?s=20FIFA has banned tailgating before World Cup matches at major U.S. stadiumshttps://x.com/PolymarketSport/status/2044093288496390340?s=20Former Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore was sentenced to 18 months' probation and fined just over $1,000 for two misdemeanorshttps://x.com/espn/status/2044148632828428539?s=20Kamden Lopati has committed to Michiganhttps://x.com/Hayesfawcett3/status/2044180166012719576?s=20 Illinois head coach Bret Bielema took to Twitter to express his frustration about QB Kamden Lopati decommitting from the Illini https://x.com/recruits_cfb/status/2044179584761925711?s=20Elite HSFB recruits are now commanding seven-figure NIL offers, with one receiving a reported $7.5M, 3-year deahttps://x.com/On3/status/2044140388928135636?s=20CFP changes college football playoffhttps://x.com/CFBPlayoff/status/2044214001534443708?s=20https://x.com/On3/status/2044093448488399085?s=20Washington Commanders unveil new uniformshttps://x.com/Commanders/status/2044415700811268369?s=20https://x.com/Commanders/status/2044417187331371333?s=20https://x.com/Commanders/status/2044428042404065677?s=20NBC might lose Sunday Night Football to Netflix or Amazonhttps://x.com/PolymarketSport/status/2044095938432782446?s=20PGA makes RBC Heritage stop in South Carolina this weekhttps://x.com/PGATOUR/status/2044412157664628742?s=20Nascar at Kansas speedway this weekendhttps://x.com/NASCAR/status/2044148462774521959?s=20Image Credit:© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images© Eric Seals / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Illinois football coach Bret Bielema joins Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner to discuss an offseason of transition. Bielema breaks down big changes to his staff and roster, what new DC Bobby Hauck brings, what retaining OC Barry Lunney Jr. meant, some of the new transfer additions and more. Then Werner and Wagner discuss what they've learned during their last few weeks of talking to the new Illini staff members and transfer additions. SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS Omaha Steaks: Go to ⁠⁠https://www.OmahaSteaks.com⁠⁠ to get 50% off sitewide and an extra $35 off with promo code ILLINI at checkout. Minimum purchase may apply. Columbia Street Roastery: Head to ⁠⁠CSRcoffee.com⁠ and use code IlliniAllTheWay to get 10 percent off your first order and get free shipping on orders of over $45. Follow the Illini Inquirer Podcast on: Apple: https://apple.co/3oMt0NP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Xan2L8  Other: https://bit.ly/36gn7Ct   Go VIP for just 50% OFF: https://tinyurl.com/2fkhmjdz  To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alex Kyi from Armchair Illini joins the show to talk Illinois basketball and preview the Big Ten Tournament. He also shares his thoughts on Bret Bielema's updated coaching staff and what it could mean for Illini football. Later, the guys dive into another edition of Etched in Stone with Evan's bets for tonight. Plus they reveal the winner of the Tuesday Draft. And they wrap up by debating Bam Adebayo's 83-point performance versus Kobe Bryant's legendary 81-point game. Evan explains why Bam's game was NOT that impressive.

It was a BUSY news day. Brian Teague from Chicago State of Mind Sports joined the show to discuss the Chicago Bears trading wide receiver DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills and what the move could mean for the franchise moving forward. The guys also reacted to Bret Bielema and the Illinois football coaching staff speaking to the media and what stood out from the latest presser. Attention then turned to Illinois women's basketball as they compete in the Big Ten Tournament. Shauna Green's squad beat Wisconsin last night and play Michigan State tonight in Indianapolis. Plus all of the other Illini Headlines!

Brian Teague from Chicago State of Mind Sports previews the matchup between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the USC Trojans. He breaks down key storylines, players to watch, and what each team needs to do to come away with a win. We also get Brian's thoughts on Bret Bielema's new coaching staff and more. We also run through today's Illini Headlines, covering the latest news and notes from around Illinois athletics. Plus, why did Kurtis' Curveballs involve billions of hotdogs?

Carson Gourdie from WICS and Fox Illinois breaks down the Illini matchup with the Trojans and what to expect on game day. Adam Bradford of Trojans Wire gives the USC perspective and key storylines heading into the showdown. We also discuss how the Trojans match up schematically against Illinois on both sides of the ball. Plus, Jordan Thomas steps in as the new D-Line coach, rounding out Bret Bielema's 2026 staff.

Doug Bucshon of Orange and Blue News joins the show to break down Illinois' win over Indiana Hoosiers and what it means moving forward. Doug also gives his insight on the latest Illinois Football coaching hires, including Tyrone Wheatley as Running Backs coach. We also hit Today's Illini Headlines with the latest news surrounding Illinois Fighting Illini athletics. Kurtis brings the fun with another edition of his Curveballs, featuring some wild and surprising stories from the Olympic Games. It's a packed show with analysis, updates, and a few laughs along the way.      

In Interviews of the Week on 104.3 The Score, Ricky O'Donnell of SB Nation joined the Spiegel & Holmes Show to discuss the state of the reeling Bulls at the All-Star break and to break down a loaded 2026 NBA Draft class; Chicago Sports Network analyst Clay Harbor joined the Rahimi, Harris & Grote Show to share his wish list for the Bears in free agency; and Illinois football coach Bret Bielema joined the Mully & Haugh Show to share his goals for the program.

In Interviews of the Week on 104.3 The Score, Ricky O'Donnell of SB Nation joined the Spiegel & Holmes Show to discuss the state of the reeling Bulls at the All-Star break and to break down a loaded 2026 NBA Draft class; Chicago Sports Network analyst Clay Harbor joined the Rahimi, Harris & Grote Show to share his wish list for the Bears in free agency; and Illinois football coach Bret Bielema joined the Mully & Haugh Show to share his goals for the program.

In Interviews of the Week on 104.3 The Score, Ricky O'Donnell of SB Nation joined the Spiegel & Holmes Show to discuss the state of the reeling Bulls at the All-Star break and to break down a loaded 2026 NBA Draft class; Chicago Sports Network analyst Clay Harbor joined the Rahimi, Harris & Grote Show to share his wish list for the Bears in free agency; and Illinois football coach Bret Bielema joined the Mully & Haugh Show to share his goals for the program.

David Haugh and Ruthie Polinsky were joined by Illinois football head coach Bret Bielema to celebrate former Illini star and current Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon winning the Super Bowl. Bielema also shared his vision for leading his program to places it has never been before.

In the third hour, David Haugh and Ruthie Polinsky discussed which players are the biggest keys to success for the Cubs in 2026. After that, Illinois football coach Bret Bielema joined the show to celebrate former Illini star Devon Witherspoon winning the Super Bowl with the Seahawks and to share his vision for leading the program to new heights. Later, Mike Palm of Circa Sports joined the program to set the scene for the sports weekend from a gambling perspective.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner react to Illinois hiring long-time Wyoming coach Bobby Hauck as defensive coordinator and discuss how he will change Bret Bielema's defense. Then Werner catches up with coaching expert Mat Pistole about Hauck's 3-3-5 defensive scheme and what it means for the Illini's style of play and personnel. SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS Omaha Steaks: Go to ⁠https://www.OmahaSteaks.com⁠ to get an extra $35 off with promo code ILLINI at checkout. Minimum purchase may apply. Thanks to Omaha Steaks for sponsoring us! Factor: Head to ⁠factormeals.com/illini50off⁠ and use code illini50off to get 50 percent off and free breakfast for a year. Eat like a pro this month with Factor. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner react to Illinois defensive coordinator Terrance Jamison leaving the Illini for the Buffalo Bills, and the guys discuss Bret Bielema's upcoming defensive scheme changes and other potential candidates for the defensive coordinator job. CBS Sports college basketball writer Isaac Trotter then joins Werner to preview Saturday's top-10 matchup between No. 5 Illinois and No. 10 Michigan State at Breslin Center. Trotter breaks down what's stood out about Illinois' last few wins, why Michigan State has struggled in its last three games, keys to the matchup and how Illinois deals with Jeremy Fears Jr. SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS * Omaha Steaks: Go to https://www.OmahaSteaks.com to get an extra $35 off with promo code ILLINI at checkout. Minimum purchase may apply. Thanks to Omaha Steaks for sponsoring us! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner react to Illinois defensive coordinator Aaron Henry's departure from the program following three seasons as the play caller. The guys reflect on why his tenure didn't work out, what his departure means and some potential replacements. The guys also discuss a big offseason of coaching changes for Bret Bielema.  SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS Omaha Steaks: Go to https://www.OmahaSteaks.com to get an extra $35 off with promo code ILLINI at checkout. Minimum purchase may apply. Thanks to Omaha Steaks for sponsoring us! MANDO: Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with @shop.mando and get 20% off + free shipping with promo code ILLINI at shopmando.com! #mandopod GET 2 MONTHS OF ILLINI INQUIRER VIP ACCESS FOR JUST $1! Want to try out Illini Inquirer VIP access, for a limited time only, you can get your first TWO MONTHS of VIP access for just $1! That's the best Illinois Fighting Illini coverage for just pennies per day. Get the most in-depth intel and insight on Illinois football, basketball, recruiting and more with Illini Inquirer. Sign up now for the monthly option and get your first two month for just $1! Sign up now! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices