Light The I

Former All-American offensive lineman Martin O’Donnell joins Scott and Robert to discuss his journey from player to radio analyst and what it’s like experiencing Illinois sports now as a fan. He reflects on how the program has changed since his playing days, shares his thoughts on the current state of Illinois football, and offers his outlook for the 2026 season.

It’s the first day of classes, so Scott and Robert kick off the episode by sharing some college stories and debating an important question: do you go to your first day of classes? They also break down their thoughts from Illinois football’s open practice, discuss the men’s basketball non-conference schedule, and sit down with Illinois volleyball head coach Chris Tamas to preview the upcoming se...

After covering the offensive side of the ball in the last episode, Scott and Robert discuss the defense. The scheme, the players, and how it relates to Tecmobowl. Also, I-Lights and some praise for Pat Bryant.

There's signs all over campus that a new school year is about to begin, so it's time to dive into preseason football camp with a look at Illinois' offense.  Then, Scott and Robert welcome Stephanie Record, who's retiring after 32 seasons as Illinois' head cheerleading coach and also serves as director of Crisis Nursery. 00:00 Intro 05:22 I-Lights 17:54 Football Camp - The Offense 47:08 Stephan...

Scott & Robert set up on the patio of the Smith Center to interview eight Illini players during Illini Media Day. In order, here are interviews with wide receiver Jayshon Platt, running back Ca'Lil Valentine, tight end Christian Abney, center Jake Renfro, linebacker Robert Edmondson, linebacker Daniel Brown, defensive lineman Darrell Prater, and defensive lineman Joe Barna.

Not one, but two conversations with Illinois head coaches! First, it's Illinois soccer head coach Katie Hultin, who last year sparked Illinois to a return to NCAA postseason play for the first time since 2013. Then, newly named former Illini softball head coach Jenna Hall comes to the studio table. The former All-American and first Illinois softball player named to the Illini Athletics Hall of ...

Meet the man who - outside of any coach - might have the biggest impact on the Illini men's basketball roster. Neel Ganta once had aspirations to be a Wall Street investor. Instead, the general manager has had significant a role in three of the most successful seasons in the Brad Underwood era. Among the topics covered are his path in basketball, influencing Brad Underwood to alter his defensiv...

Scott and Robert spent the day at Big Ten Media Days in Chicago chatting with Matt Bailey, Juice Clarke, Katin Houser, Bret Bielema, and Josh Whitman. Here's everything they know about the upcoming football season.

It's a post mortem on Robert's attempt at a 10-foot long jump, including comments from the Light the I audience. Then, Scott and Robert look at what the numbers say about Illinois football's upcoming season before they welcome college football expert Phil Steele, whose annual College Football Preview magazine offers plenty of numbers for a reliable season outlook. Finally, producer Kendall has ...

In the first part of the episode, Robert and Scott discuss Josh Whitman's extension, compare it to the Michigan situation, and discuss a few choice quotes from SEC Media days. And then, it's time for Robert to prove his claim that he can long jump 10 feet. Scott, Robert and Kendall take a field trip to Savoy, where the stakes couldn't be higher -- $77 to the charity of winner's choice. Scott ch...

Robert and Scott discuss the latest Illini news in the first 35 minutes of this episode. And then Elizabeth Lumpkin Robinson joins to discuss taking over the Illini women's tennis program.

After 12 years as the athletic director at Eastern Illinois University, Tom Michael is back in Champaign as Illinois' new Deputy Director of Athletics. He was EIU's AD when EIU beat Illinois in exhibition basketball in 2017, Brad Underwood's first game as head coach. But before that, Michael was an administrator for Illinois after his standout playing days as a captain for Lou Henson and Illino...

Illini men's tennis coach Brad Dancer joins Scott and Robert to discuss his 20+ years at the helm of the program. This episode is 100% tennis talk - from Flach & Seguso to Alcaraz vs. Sinner.

Scott and Robert welcome Josh Whitman back to the podcast. In the first 30 minutes, they discuss their impressions of Whitman's media roundtable earlier in the day. And then they welcome the Illini AD into the studio to discuss all things Illini.

Scott and Robert get caught up on everything that's been happening so far this summer: football recruiting, coaches being hired, the QB Club golf tournament, and the Brendan Sorsby drama (and how it relates to former Illini QB Dave Wilson). Plus new producer Kendall joins us for the first time.

Never shy with his genuine opinion, Bob Asmussen as been covering Illinois sports since 1989 for the News-Gazette. He visits with Scott and Robert to discuss the beginning of his sports writing career, his Atlanta Braves and Hank Aaron fandom, whether he roots for the Illini, his relationship with coaches, how life changed after a heart attack and strokes, planting seeds for Robert's career, an...

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 s...

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...

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 def...

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.

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 f...

Scott & Robert discuss the golf team's 2nd place finish in Oregon, the tennis team advancing to the Sweet 16, a coaching change in the softball dugout, and various comings and goings in Bielfeldt. Then producer Mazie gets a send-off before she graduates and heads off to the real world next week. To make a contribution to the American Brain Tumor Association, please visit: https://www.abta.org/

Scott and Robert are joined by Illini head coach Brad Underwood to discuss the 2026 season. Topics range from the Elite Eight game against Iowa, the star treatment of the team at the Final Four, his scheme changes over the years, and yes, the bull that ran across campus yesterday. Not his, he says.

If you're by chance an elite runner, this episode will get you through a 13.1 mile route. Otherwise your endurance might be tested if you can't wait for Scott and Robert to immediately discuss the latest Illini news - like the NFL draft and the upcoming NBA draft. But by the finish, you'll be glad you stayed the course. 00:00 Intro 04:10 Reviewing baseball series vs. No. 20 Nebraska 07:27 Scot...

Several Illini football players are projected to be drafted to the NFL this weekend as spring football practices wrap up. Scott and Robert discuss that with comments from Bret Bielema. Plus, women's basketball is keeping all of their rotation from the last year, jean shorts are still a thing, and Robert has a new charitable cause. 00:00 Intro 03:16 Spring fashion 10:13 NFL Draft prospects for ...

Scott and Robert discuss #TheRetention of the core of the Illini men's basketball basketball roster and key additions - including one from the St. Louis area - that are shaping high expectations for the 2026-2027 season. There's also a breakdown of a ranked Illinois baseball win in a memorable thriller. Plus, Illinois has a new national champion, backyard baseball rules, and signs(?) from water...

Coming off a second straight appearance in the second round of the NCAA Tournament and her third 20-win season, Illini women's basketball head coach Shauna Green joins the show to reflect on four successful seasons, roster retention and additions, and the high hopes for next season.

Scott and Robert look back on the basketball season and try to frame the experience. And then they look forward to spring sports (especially the long jump). Also, producer Mazie recounts her trip to the Final Four.

Scott and Robert discuss the Illini losing to UConn in the semifinal on Saturday. And then they try to put the entire season into perspective. Also, an update on Ella's Decision.

Scott and Robert prepare for Saturday's national semifinal game against UConn, pondering everything from jersey choice to how Illinois matches up. 0:00 Intro 2:40 Color Talk 6:55 Team Send Off 15:00 Illini Final Four History 27:30 The 2026 Illini 40:49 Lucas Oil Stadium Setup 44:45 Coleman Hawkins 47:45 Final Vibe Check

There's really no description necessary for this one. The Illini are in the Final Four. Illinois basketball is 80 minutes away from a national title. Scott and Robert sit down in studio to try to put words to it all.

Scott and Robert take 25 minutes - Scott from broadcasting baseball in State College, Robert from his hotel room in Houston - to discuss the Illini beating Houston 65-55 to reach the Elite Eight. Sorry, the ILLite Eight.

On the day before the Sweet Sixteen, Scott and Robert preview the Illinois-Houston matchup, and somehow opera is part of the conversation.

Scott and Robert marvel at Illinois earning a berth into the men's Sweet 16, but Robert must cope with the fact that Iowa did so too. Plus: women's hoops wins a tournament game for the second straight year, spring football news, diamond sports review, a golf update, listener feedback, and Illini-themed crustaceans. 00:00 Intro 01:27 Illini in a Sweet 16 - again! 11:35 Does Robert have IDS? 26:5...

Scott and Robert discuss the Illini crushing Penn 105-70 in the first round. They discuss the dominating performances from the Illini freshmen, the second half surge, and then try to contextualize the Illini's 65 second-half points.

Scott and Robert welcome author and Illini alum Will Leitch to the program to discuss the 2026 Illini in the NCAA Tournament.

Scott and Robert discuss the early exit of men's basketball from the Big Ten Tournament. But there's reason for optimism with their draw as a No. 3 seed. Then they look at the women's outlook in Nashville as a No. 7 seed. 00:00 Intro 04:42 Two Illini teams in the NCAA Tournament 06:50 Robert fantasizes about a revenge tour 15:15 Greenville as a destination 18:01 A players-only meeting for MBB ...

Scott and Robert look forward to the Big Ten Tournament as they look back on BTT memories of the past.

Scott and Robert discuss the win over Maryland, the final Big Ten standings, the upcoming Big Ten Tournament, WBB's potential NCAA seed, and then a few thoughts on baseball & tennis.

Scott and Robert discuss the Senior Night win over Oregon + the football staff realignment and then answer listener questions from the mailbag.

Scott and Robert look back at the men's basketball loss to Michigan and then welcome Kendall Bostic, the all-time leading rebounder for Illinois women's basketball and current radio analyst. She dives into this year's team ahead of the Big Ten tournament, the transition to broadcasting, and her Illini career. 00:00 - Introduction 02:35 - Reviewing Illinois vs. Michigan 10:48 - Postseason outlo...

Scott and Robert discuss their experiences on each coast; Scott on the east coast watching Illini Baseball beat #6 Coastal Carolina and Robert on the west coast watching the #10 Illini lose in overtime to UCLA.

Scott and Robert discuss the complete demolition of USC on Wednesday night and then Montana alum Kevin Van Valkenburg of Fried Egg Golf fills us in on Bobby Hauck's tenure as Montana head coach.

Scott and Robert discuss Sunday's 71-51 win over Indiana, the Orange Krush narratives over the past week, Illini baseball's opening weekend, and the latest football hires. Plus some history on "football block."

Scott and Robert discuss the overtime loss to Wisconsin on Tuesday night and then sit down with Illini golf coach Mike Small to discuss the upcoming season.

Scott and Robert review the overtime loss by Illinois men's basketball at Michigan State before reacting to some big football news. 00:00 - Introduction 01:28 - Reviewing Illini MBB's loss at Michigan State 12:16 - Why Robert likes a team to be the villain 23:07 - Looking back at Illini WBB's sellout and loss to USC 28:37 - Illinois football has a new defensive coordinator 43:52 - Robert forge...

Scott and Robert look back at the 12th straight win for Illinois men's basketball after a rout of Northwestern. Then, they talk with Illinois baseball head coach Dan Hartleb, the all-time winningest coach is program history, who is about to start his 21st season. 00:00 - Introduction 04:23 - Looking back at Illini men's rout of Northwestern 21:53 - Illini women's valiant comeback attempt at Ore...

Scott and Robert marvel at a top-5 road win for Illini men's basketball for the second straight weekend and an important ranked road win for the women's team. Then they discuss defensive coordinator vacancy for Illini football before Scott has an in-depth conversation with Illinois softball head coach Tyra Perry about her career and the upcoming season that begins on February 6.

Scott and Robert look back at the men's basketball win over Washington to extend their winning streak to 10. Then they discuss a strong effort for the women's team in a loss to UCLA, and Robert shares thoughts on the football schedule.

In the first half of the episode, Scott and Robert discuss being there in West Lafayette watching Keaton Wagler score 46 at Mackey. And in the second half, it's a long discussion of possible seeds for the Illini in the NCAA Tournament.