From Beyond Champaign - A Illinois Basketball Podcast

Avsnitt

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  Michigan's Morez Johnson Revenge Game in painful loss for Illinois fans 03.03.2026 42min

  The No. 10 Illinois Fighting Illini fell to No. 3 Michigan Wolverines 84-70 at the State Farm Center in Champaign in a pivotal Big Ten matchup. Michigan’s balanced attack and dominant paint play helped them pull away in the second half and clinch the Big Ten regular-season title on the road.Michigan took control in the second half and extended a tight early contest into a decisive victory. Former Illini Morez Johnson Jr. led the Wolverines with a 19-point, 11-rebound double-double. Illinois’ Keaton Wagler put up 23 points in the losing effort, but the Illini couldn’t match Michigan’s physicality inside. The Wolverines snapped a long losing streak to Illinois and secured an outright Big Ten crown with the win.Cody Delmendo goes in onto what went wrong, what is wrong with Andrej Stojakovic, and his thoughts on Morez Johnson's Revenge Game.
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  After their collapse at UCLA, can Illinois bounce back against Michigan? 03.03.2026 41min

  SORRY I FORGOT TO UPLOAD EARLIER.Illinois just suffered a brutal 95–94 overtime loss to UCLA, blowing a 23-point lead and watching a coast-to-coast buzzer-beater end their night at Pauley Pavilion. Fans are still reeling from the collapse and the implications it could have on the rest of the season, especially with a big matchup against Michigan looming.In this episode, Cody breaks down:✅ What went wrong in that huge lead✅ The mental and strategic challenges the Illini now face✅ Whether Illinois has what it takes to regroup and take down Michigan
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  Can Keaton Wagler and Illinois bounce back against Wisconsin? 10.02.2026 43min

  The #5 Illinois Fighting Illini saw their 12-game winning streak come to a heartbreaking end with an 85–82 overtime loss at No. 10 Michigan State. Illinois battled all night, but missed shots and key late plays ultimately swung the game in favor of the Spartans. Illinois shot just 36.6% from the field and 27.8% from three, and even though Keaton Wagler still contributed 16 points (many at the foul line), it was one of his toughest shooting nights of the season.In this episode, Cody breaks down:• What went wrong in East Lansing — turnovers, missed looks, and offensive struggles.• How the loss affects Illinois’ Big Ten positioning.• Why this isn’t a season-ending setback — and how the Illini are still a dangerous squad even when shots aren’t falling.Now the Illini turn their focus to the Wisconsin Badgers at home. This is a chance to reset, lock in on fundamentals, and play Illinois basketball — tough defense, selfless offense, and smart shot selection. A bounce-back performance starts with confidence and energy on both ends of the floor.LINKS: https://linktr.ee/cody.illini
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  Keaton Wagler leads Illinois to 11th straight wins in top 10 victory at Nebraska 03.02.2026 41min

  Illinois showed up with energy, execution, and toughness from start to finish, making a statement against a tough Nebraska squad to extend their winning streak to 11. From clutch plays to momentum-shifting moments, this one had everything fans love to see. The Illini defense set the tone all game—flying to the ball, forcing tough possessions, and shutting the door when it mattered most. Nebraska struggled to find any rhythm as Illinois controlled the pace on that end of the floor.Then came Keaton Wagler’s second half. 🔥Clutch plays, timely buckets, and complete confidence—Wagler stepped up in a big way and helped seal the win going for 28 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists.Tap in with Cody Delmendo as he reacts to another huge road win for Illinois, who are now tied for the top spot in the Big Ten.
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  Keaton Wagler's 46 points CARRIES Illinois to win at Purdue 26.01.2026 54min

  What an unbelievable performance! Freshman Keaton Wagler exploded for a career-high 46 points — including nine made 3-pointers — to lead No. 11 Illinois to a stunning 88–82 road victory over No. 4 Purdue at Mackey Arena! 😱💪🏀📌 What went down in this game:• Wagler was unstoppable, shooting 13-for-17 overall, 9-for-11 from deep, and 11-for-13 at the line.• His 46 points set the Mackey Arena record for most by an opponent and marked one of the greatest road scoring performances in Illinois history.• Illinois hit a barrage of threes as a team and pulled off a signature upset on the road.• This win keeps Illinois rolling with momentum in Big Ten play and cements Wagler’s status as one of college basketball’s hottest young stars.Tune in with Cody Delmendo as he reacts to Illinois huge win and what it means for their NCAA Tournament seeding and their Big Ten regular season title chances.LINKS: https://linktr.ee/cody.illini
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  Kylan Boswell OUT with fractured hand, expected to return 4 weeks 21.01.2026 32min

  Illinois basketball faces a major test after Kylan Boswell suffered a fractured hand in practice, sidelining one of the Illini’s most important guards. Boswell’s leadership, defense, and playmaking have been central to Brad Underwood’s system—but now Illinois must adapt fast.In this episode, Cody breaks down what Boswell’s injury means, how long Illinois could be without him, and how the Illini can survive and stay competitive in the Big Ten. Who steps up in the backcourt? How does the rotation change? And can Illinois maintain its identity without its floor general?We’ll analyze lineup adjustments, key players who must take on bigger roles, and whether this adversity could actually make Illinois stronger heading into the heart of the season.LINKS: https://linktr.ee/cody.illini
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  Keaton Wagler and Illinois hope to keep their WINNING STREAK alive against Northwestern 14.01.2026 36min

  Tomorrow night, the No. 13 Illinois Fighting Illini hit the road to take on the Northwestern Wildcats in a BIG Big Ten showdown! Illinois comes into this matchup riding a season-best five-game win streak and looking to extend their momentum against a familiar rival.The Illini boast one of the best offenses in the conference and are clicking on both ends of the floor, eager to add another chapter to their rivalry with Northwestern. Will Illinois continue their surge and keep the streak alive, or will Northwestern pull off a home upset? Let’s break this one down!Cody breaks down the last two wins for Illinois over Rutgers and Iowa and the growth they've displayed in January in this edition of From Beyond Champaign.Follow Cody on Twitter: https://x.com/cody_illini?s=21
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  Will Illinois live up to the hype in 2026? 06.01.2026 31min

  Illinois basketball is turning the page to a new year with big expectations and even bigger questions. After a strong start and plenty of national buzz, the Illini are stepping into the heart of the season where hype turns into reality.In this episode, Cody breaks down where Illinois stands right now after straight wins to close out 2025, what’s working, what needs to improve, and the biggest storylines to watch as Big Ten conference play heats up. Can this team stay consistent, handle the pressure, and prove they belong among the elite?
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  Takeaways from Nebraska UPSETTING Illinois 18.12.2025 46min

  SORRY I'M LATE ON UPLOADING THE AUDIO.Illinois went into the matchup as the favorite, but Nebraska had other plans. In a shocking Big Ten showdown, the Cornhuskers pulled off a huge upset over the Illini 83-80, flipping expectations and shaking up the conference picture.From clutch plays to momentum-shifting moments, this game had everything — and Illinois couldn’t recover when it mattered most. Was this Nebraska’s statement win, or a major missed opportunity for Illinois?Cody reacts to the loss and more on this edition of From Beyond Champaign.LINKS: https://linktr.ee/cody.illini
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  Takeaways from Illinois first conference win at Ohio State 10.12.2025 37min

  The Illinois Fighting Illini pull off a huge road win at the Ohio State Buckeyes — final score 88-80 — to kick off Big Ten play with a statement.Keaton Wagler leads Illinois with 23 points and big plays down the stretch. David Mirkovic steps up with 22 points and 8 rebounds, fueling the Illini starting lineup. Balanced scoring from the Illini — including Andrej Stojakovic and Zvonimir Ivisic — proves clutch in a hostile environment. Despite a monster night from Buckeyes guard Bruce Thornton (34 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists), Illinois’ composure at the free-throw line and late-game execution sealed the win.This marks Illinois’ first Big Ten win of the season and another important road victory — their 35th in conference play since 2019-20, the most in the league.Tune in with Cody as he gives his takeaways on the Illini win.LINKS: https://linktr.ee/cody.illini
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  Takeaways from Illinois win over Tennessee 09.12.2025 35min

  What. A. Win. The Illinois Fighting Illini came through in a huge way, knocking off Tennessee Volunteers 75-62 in a physical, hard-fought battle at Music City Madness. Balanced scoring paced the Illini: Tomislav Ivisic and Keaton Wagler dropped 16 points each, while Kylan Boswell added 15 and David Mirkovic put up 10. The Illini’s defense stood firm — holding the Vols to just 62 points, the fewest allowed by Illinois in a top-25 nonconference win in nearly two decades.Ohio State will is the next test. They’ve looked sharp early in conference play with a win over Northwestern, and this will be Illinois' first true road-game challenge of the season. Can Illinois keep this momentum going?Cody digs into it all on this episode of From Beyond Champaign.LINKS: https://linktr.ee/cody.illini
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  Biggest takeaways from Illinois loss to UConn 01.12.2025 39min

  The UConn Huskies dominated Illinois Fighting Illini in a wire-to-wire win, but Illinois showed flashes — here’s what stood out.The Huskies held the Illini to just 32.1% shooting overall and a brutal 20.7% from three. Illinois just couldn’t find rhythm or consistency from deep.Illinois’ offense lacked creativity & adjustments — Even when their big men (like Tomislav Ivišić) got opportunities inside, Illinois reverted back to low-percentage, stagnant three-point attempts instead of attacking the mismatches. That choice undermined their comeback attempts.Illinois showed grit with a 16-2 second-half run and some fight, but poor shot selection and lack of discipline made their comeback attempt too little, too late.In this episode, Cody Delmendo gives his biggest takeaways from the loss a few days later and offers some perspective headed into Tennessee next weekend. FOLLOW CODY ON TWITTER: https://x.com/cody_illini
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  Bring on Alabama in Chicago! 19.11.2025 26min

  Tomorrow, Illinois takes on Alabama at the United Center in Chicago in what promises to be one of the most electric non-conference showdowns of the season. The Illini bring their gritty defense and veteran leadership to the big stage, while the Crimson Tide roll in with high-powered scoring and up-tempo energy.We’ll break down the key players, matchups to watch, and what each team needs to do to walk out of Chicago with a statement win. Make sure to leave a five star rating and subscribe to this podcast for more takes on Illinois Basketball the rest of the season!SUPPORT CODY: https://linktr.ee/cody_cubs
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  Andrej Stojakovic ARRIVED in Illinois' 81-77 win over Texas Tech 12.11.2025 31min

  FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER: https://x.com/cody_illiniA huge non-conference win for the Illini! No. 14 Illinois took down No. 11 Texas Tech 81-77 in a nail-biter. Andrej Stojaković exploded for 23 points and sealed the win with a block on a potential tying three-pointer in the final seconds. Kylan Boswell chipped in 22 points, helping take the momentum and push Illinois when it mattered most. Illinois jumped out early with a 45-32 halftime lead. Texas Tech stormed back in the second half, cutting it close, but Illinois held on. This win is a statement for Illinois — showing they can close out tight games and beat ranked opponents at home. For Stojaković, it’s a breakout two-way performance and a welcoming to Illini Nation. For Boswell, a veteran guard stepping up big in the clutch and showing that Year 2 at Illinois can be even better than last season.Tune in with Cody Delmendo as he reacts to the win and asks the question - is Illinois now a Top 5 team in college basketball after this win without Tomislav Ivisic, Mihailo Petrovic, Brandon Lee, and Ty Rodgers?SUPPORT CODY: https://linktr.ee/cody_cubs
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  Can Illinois survive without Tomislav Ivisic against Texas Tech? 10.11.2025 26min

  FOLLOW ME ON TWITTERhttps://x.com/cody_illiniIn a dominant performance, the No. 17 Illinois Fighting Illini blitzed Florida Gulf Coast 113-70, marking their second straight 100-point outing to start the season. Guard Kylan Boswell exploded with a career-high 31 points plus 10 rebounds.Freshman stepped up AGAIN: David Mirkovic tallied 17 points and 11 rebounds, and Keaton Wagler added 22 points and 7 rebounds.Meanwhile, key center Tomislav Ivisic was out with a knee injury sustained in practice and did not suit up for this game. How long can Illinois survive without him? Ivisic brings size, rim protection, and rebounding — all traits that are harder to replicate when he’s off the floor. Depth may be tested: if he’s out for more than a few games, fatigue, match-up issues, and defensive rebounding could become bigger problems.Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you don’t miss our breakdowns of Illinois’ upcoming matchups and any health updates on Ivisic. SUPPORT CODY: https://linktr.ee/cody_cubs
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  Freshman David Mirkovic and Keaton Wagler SHINE in Illinois season debut 05.11.2025 25min

  SUBSCRIBE ON AUDIO: https://linktr.ee/cody_cubsFOLLOW ME ON TWITTER: https://x.com/cody_illiniIn this edition of From Beyond Champaign, Cody dives into the season opener at the State Farm Center where freshman David Mirkovic wasted no time building off his exhibition performance against Illinois State. Mirkovic dropped 19 points, hauled in 14 rebounds, and added 4 assists in his Illinois debut. His two early 3-pointers helped spark Illinois’s early surge, and his double-double, which was recorded in the first half, was the first by an Illini freshman in their debut since Kofi Cockburn in 2019. Freshman Keaton Wagler also stepped into the spotlight. He contributed 18 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists, while shooting 8-for-10 from the free-throw line, showing poise and scoring ability right away.The Illini hit 17 three-pointers in the game and out-rebounded Jackson State 61-19. For a freshman pair, Mirkovic and Wagler, to start together in the season opener is a strong signal of the team’s depth and trust in its newcomers. The Fighting Illini put on a statement performance, downing Jackson State 113-55.Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more breakdowns of Illini basketball and Big Ten action!
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  Mihailo Petrovic approved by NCAA & Lucas Morillo commits to Illinois 02.11.2025 29min

  Eariler this week, international guard Mihailo Petrovic was officially cleared by the NCAA and will suit up for Illinois Basketball in 2025-26. Petrovic brings pro experience from Europe, having averaged 14.2 points and 7.3 assists last season overseas. With his eligibility now resolved, Illinois adds a seasoned, mature point guard to its roster. What should Illini fans expect from him to start the season? From the preset to the future. Four-star high-school prospect Lucas Morillo has committed to Illinois as part of the 2026 recruiting class, over several major power schools. Morillo is a huge recruiting win: at 6’6, he's a versatile guard/wing, ranked top 50 in his class, who chose Illinois over UCLA, Texas, Marquette and more. He joins what is becoming a top-tier class with Ethan Brown and Landon Davis.SUBSCRIBE ON AUDIO: https://linktr.ee/cody_cubs
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  What are fair expectations for Kylan Boswell in Year 2 at Illinois? 23.10.2025 26min

  The hometown guard is back and ready to lead. After transferring home and posting a breakout junior season, Kylan Boswell steps into his senior campaign with high expectations. Let’s dive into what to watch, what he needs to improve, and how his role can expand.Boswell averaged 12.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game last season (2024-25) after starting 34 of 35 games.
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  Takeaways from Illinois' exhibition with over Illinois State 21.10.2025 32min

  The Fighting Illini cruised to a 92‑65 win in their exhibition opener, but it wasn’t just about the score — this game offered a lot of insight into what this team might become in 2025‑26.Coach Brad Underwood’s system appeared to be clicking — or at least being exercised — even without some key players, including Tomislav Ivisic, Andrej Stojakovic, Mhailo Petrovic and Ty Rodgers.Freshman forward David Mirkovic exploded in his Illini debut: 19 points, 14 rebounds, 6 assists. Unreal for a freshman in his first action. Also, transfer big man Zvonimir Ivisic looked legit too — 15 points, 5 boards and showcasing confidence.Support Cody
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  Brad Underwood says FOUR key contributors OUT for Illinois' exhibition against Illinois State 18.10.2025 32min

  COLLEGE BASKETBALL IS BACK! Illinois takes on the Illinois State Redbirds in an exhibition matchup tomorrow! This in-state showdown will give fans a first look at the 2025-26 Illini squad before the regular season tips off.Head coach Brad Underwood confirmed that four players, including Ty Rodgers, Tomislav Ivišić, Andrej Stojaković, and Mihailo Petrović will be out for this exhibition, impacting the team’s rotation and giving others a chance to step up and shine.What will you be looking forward to seeing from the Illini in this one?Also, this is my first show in a few months, so I'll address that and the future of this show. Tap in with Cody Delmendo for the first episode of Season 3 of From Beyond Champaign.SUPPORT CODY