K. Andrew Deffley - Big Deff - andrewdeffley.bsky.social texts into ESPN Radio 93.5’s The Drive with Kurtis Allen and Evan Stone on Friday, April 10, 2026: I comped the style of [Illinois Fighting Illini Men’s Basketball guard commit Quentin] Coleman's game to [former Kentucky guard] Reed Sheppard yesterday. I'll comp [Wisconsin basketball transfer] John Blackwell's style to [former Duke guard] Jared McCain. So let's go blueblood it up next year, boys! Already excited. I-L-L

Texted this into my favorite #Illini radio show today and now I’ve amped myself up to an unsafe degree.

Bring Blackwell home, Brad.

Illini offer 2028 Carbondale OL Joseph Frierdich: 'Bielema is very passionate about keeping players in-state' Illinois is the second Big Ten program to offer the 2028 prospect

2028 Carbondale OL Joseph Frierdich (@JosephFrierdich) added to his growing list of offers during a visit to #illini on Wednesday.

"Coach Bielema is very passionate about keeping players in-state," Frierdich said.

He talks Illini & his recruitment ⤵️

Official visit primers: Illini hosting several top Class of 2027 priorities for early April official visits Illinois is looking to strengthen its foundation in the Class of 2027

#illini football will host its first wave of Class of 2027 official visitors this weekend.

Breaking down what's going for and against the Illini for the six uncommitted visitors ⤵️

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VIP: Some notes from a few periods of #illini football spring practice viewing

🔗: 247sports.com/colleg...

WATCH: #illini cornerback Juice Clarke discusses spring practice, the new defense and more

WATCH: #illini offensive lineman TJ McMillen discusses spring practice, a new-look offensive line and more

Orange and Blue transcends party lines.

Rep. Spain and I were both on campus during the last Final Four run and today, we took a minute on the House floor to recognize the @illinimbb.bsky.social team for doing it again.

Some things are just bigger than politics. #Illini 🔸🔹

Illini get a taste of Final Four but have a hankering for more: 'You'll see us back here soon' With coaching continuity, strong NBA development and deep resources, Illinois hopes it doesn't take another generation before another Final Four appearance

#illini broke through to get a taste of the Final Four but have a hankering for more. With coaching continuity, strong NBA development and deep resources, UI may not need another generation to return.

"It shows everyone in the state what's possible."

Sports media giant gives Illinois basketball high praise entering 2026-27 Shauna Green and the women's Illinois basketball program put the entire country on notice this past season with their run to the NCAA tournament. The Illini sh

Sports media giant gives Illinois basketball high praise entering 2026-27

Read about it in my latest article for the Writing Illini! #Illini #Illinois #Basketball
writingillini.com/sports-media...

I think of these “Way Too Early” polls the sam way I think of a 10-day weather forecast. Which is to say — LOL.

But.

Illinois at #1? Saint Louis at #16? Highly encouraging.

#Illini #RollBills

Illinois basketball: Potential fits & latest intel on Illini transfer portal pursuits Illini Inquirer breaks down some potential transfer portal targets for Illinois basketball

#illini basketball is focused on retention, but Illinois also has a heck of a sell in the transfer portal, which opened Tuesday.

"We're not for everybody, but it's sure a nice selling point," Brad Underwood said.

Some potential portal fits & intel ⤵️

Illinois basketball guard helps put on a show during Final Four opening ceremony The Final Four is always an amazing spectacle, with not just Illinois basketball fans but fans from all across the country converging on one location to see the

Illinois basketball guard helps put on a show during Final Four opening ceremony

Read about it in my latest article for the Writing Illini! #Illini #Illinois #MarchMadness
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Brad Underwood has Illinois basketball fans ready to run through a brick wall It was hard to fight back the tears from Illinois basketball's Final Four loss to UConn on Saturday night, especially after waiting so long for them to get back

Brad Underwood has Illinois basketball fans ready to run through a brick wall

Read about it in my latest article for the Writing Illini! #Illini #Illinois #MarchMadness
writingillini.com/brad-underwo...

Get Your Dunkin' Monday The Illini fell short. It was a battle, and despite their abysmal three-point shooting, they fought until the end. It was quite the run. Th...

Get Your Dunkin' Monday - Iran War, Fighting Illini, Lebanon Medics Killed by Israel, Private Credit Cartels, Airman Rescued, Steve Bannon, Dark Side of the Moon, AI Retail. frankchowrules.blogspot.com/2026/04/get-... #iran #illini #lebanon #privatecredit #artemis

FLASH SALE: Get 75% OFF your first year of VIP access to #illini Inquirer, a savings of more than $100!

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2027 Iowa EDGE Ryan Paulsen earns first Power Four offer from Illini: 'I was shocked' The long, athletic Iowa defensive lineman is picking up increasing Big Ten recruiting interest

2027 Iowa EDGE Ryan Paulsen (@Ryan_Paulsen14) received his first Power Four offer from #illini during a weekend visit, and more Big Ten programs are showing interest.

"It means a lot, truly a big-time offer."

Paulsen on Illini & his recruitment ⤵️

Illinois basketball: Five items on Brad Underwood's offseason to-do list Fresh off of a Final Four, the Illini's attention immediately turns to a busy offseason ahead.

Five items on #illini coach Brad Underwood's offseason to-do list from ⁦Kyle Tausk

Illinois basketball says goodbye to another transfer portal departure It's the offseason for the women's Illinois basketball program, which means that it's time for the transfer portal to dominate the headlines of collegiate sport

Illinois basketball says goodbye to another transfer portal departure

Read about it in my latest article for the Writing Illini! #Illini #Illinois #Basketball
writingillini.com/illinois-bas...

Had such a good time at the #FinalFour yesterday, despite the #Illini losing. Still a great experience and I think they'll be good again next season.

Retaining Final Four core foundational to Illini offseason roster build: 'How you keep that winning edge' Illinois will add talent via the transfer portal, but its biggest focus is retaining key pieces from a 2025 Final Four run

The transfer portal opens on Tuesday, and #illini will be big-game hunting. But the #illini's top goal during the next few weeks? Retention, retention, retention.

"That's how you keep that winning edge."

On Illini's efforts to keep roster together ⤵️

Well this sucks. #Illini #FinalFour

Illini Inquirer Podcast Ep. 1154 | Illini fall 71-62 to UConn in Final Four Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Kyle Tausk react to Illinois basketball's season-ending 71-62 loss to UConn in the Final Four.

🎙️ #Illini Inquirer Podcast Ep. 1154 | Illini fall 71-62 to UConn in Final Four

@ktausk13 and on a rough night, a great season and the offseason ahead ⤵️

Not the ending I was hoping for but great season #illini! Now cheering on #mich big ten all day everyday

Illini fall 71-62 to UConn in Final Four| Illini Inquirer Podcast - YouTube Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Kyle Tausk react to Illinois basketball's season-ending 71-62 loss to UConn in the Final Four. The guys discuss a tough s...

LIVE PODCAST: At 9 a.m. ET/8 a.m. CT, @ktausk13 and I will react to #illini basketball's 71-62 loss to UConn in the Final Four and what went wrong, reflect on a special season and look ahead to the transfer portal opening Monday

Join us & weigh in ⤵️

It was Danny Hurley's world Saturday in Indy and the #Illini were on the wrong side of a juggernaut. www.dailyherald.com/20260404/col...

WATCH: #illini head coach Brad Underwood and Illini players Keaton Wagler, Tomislav Ivisic and Andrej Stojakovic discuss a 71-62 loss to UConn in the Final Four

200 made threes. it’s not that hard Illinois. ok i’m done. #illini

Thank you, @illinimbb.bsky.social !!!!

#illini