The Champaign Room

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Former Illinois star Josh McCray commits to SEC power

3 days ago | thechampaignroom.com | Stephen Cohn

Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Former Illinois running back Josh McCray has committed to Georgia, several outlets reported Sunday night. BREAKING: Kirby Smart & Georgia just landed 3 signees out of the Transfer Portal, @PeteNakos_ reports.
The Champaign Room wants YOU to join our team!

5 days ago | thechampaignroom.com | Stephen Cohn

TCR // Jack Jungmann It’s only spring, but The Champaign Room is planning its coverage for the 2025-26 athletic seasons, and you can join us!In order to continue making TCR the best place on the Internet for free Illinois Fighting Illini coverage, analysis and discussion, we’re expanding our staff.
Jakucionis’ ‘one-and-done’ is the best outcome for Illinois basketball

1 week ago | thechampaignroom.com | Drew Pastorek

On this episode of ‘Oskee Talk’ I’m joined by Pleas Honeywood to discuss Kasparas Jakucionis & Will Riley declaring for the NBA Draft (5:42). We also examine KJ’s draft projections (11:31), and Riley’s pro potential (19:16). We also discuss DGL’s new destination (30:20), the David Mirkovic commitment & Illinois’ international recruiting approach (34:50), as well as the latest twist in the Morez Johnson saga (51:02).
Bielema picks up commitment from top in-state 2026 prospect

1 week ago | thechampaignroom.com | Stephen Cohn

Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images Here at TCR, we love top in-state recruits. And so does Bret Bielema. That’s why it’s a big deal Wednesday night when the Illini got a commute from 2026 prospect Tony Balanganayi. The 6-foot-4 and 270-pound beast of a defensive lineman is one of the top recruits in the class of 2026 and hails from Palatine. His offer list has been quite impressive with a host of Power Four offers, including Michigan, Purdue and Missouri.
Underwood’s statements after Jakucionis, Riley declare for NBA Draft

1 week ago | thechampaignroom.com | Stephen Cohn

Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images As we reported Monday, Kasparas Jakucionis and Will Riley are off to the NBA after declaring for the draft. And despite the chatter we’ve all seen in recent days about Riley maybe coming back to college, it feels like a done deal after the statements released by head coach Brad Underwood on Monday night. On Jakucionis: “Kasparas had a fantastic year, and I am so impressed with how well he handled all that was thrown at him.
Illinois reportedly interested in bringing back Adam Miller

1 week ago | thechampaignroom.com | Stephen Cohn

Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Peoria native Adam Miller made his collegiate debut in front of no fans at State Farm Center in November 2020. Now, he may finish his collegiate career there five years later. According to Jon Rothstein, Illinois is among the teams interesting in the Arizona State graduate transfer guard. Arizona State transfer Adam Miller tells me that he’s receiving interest from the following programs.
Illinois women add transfer guard from Iowa

1 week ago | thechampaignroom.com | Stephen Cohn

Shauna Green needs to replenish her roster this offseason, and she did with a big pickup Saturday in the transfer portal. Iowa guard Aaliyah Guyton officially signed with the Illini. The Peoria native scored 4.7 points and grabbed 1.2 rebounds as a freshman last year for the Hawkeyes. She was the top player in Illinois in the class of 2024, according to ESPN.
Illini Nights set for MLB ballparks in 2025

1 week ago | thechampaignroom.com | Stephen Cohn

David Banks-Imagn Images Get ready to hear a lot of Bret Bielema and Take Me Out to the Ballgame. Illinois this week announced plans for three Illini Nights this year at MLB ballparks. It starts at Rate Field and the White Sox on May 20 vs. the Mariners. Fans get early access to batting practice. Then there’s the big night at Wrigley as the Cubs take on the Brewers on June 17. And finally Cubs vs. Cardinals at Busch Stadium on June 25. You can find more info on tickets on FightingIllini.com.
Kasparas Jakucionis remains lottery pick in new mock draft

1 week ago | thechampaignroom.com | Stephen Cohn

Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images KJ hasn’t officially announced his future plans yet, but it’s widely expected he’s heading to the NBA. And in a new mock draft out Friday morning from Yahoo!, KJ is the No. 7 overall pick to the Raptors. Jakučionis is a slick shot creator with a creative passing gene and a fearless scoring ability, carving up defenses with crafty finishes, step-back jumpers and jaw-dropping passes.
Illinois’ returning players will be the keys to 2025 success

2 weeks ago | thechampaignroom.com | Drew Pastorek

** NOTE: This episode was produced prior to the commitment of David Mirkovic **On this episode of “Oskee Talk” Pleas Honeywood joins me to recap the latest Illini basketball transfer portal transactions (3:31). We also examine the fallout of Morez Johnson’s departure (9:35), discuss ways to tweak the transfer process (26:34), and review who is returning to Champaign next season (45:21).