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Carson Gourdie

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Sports Director @foxillinois and @wics_abc20 | Based in Champaign | Emmy-nominated News Reporter | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Alum

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#Illini Brad Underwood on the Elite 8 win: "How good was it to kick Iowa's ass?" "Damn that was good," he added. While the 2026 Final Four team was great, Underwood did the stress the need to move onto 2026-2027 and the clear goal is to WIN the Final Four and National Title. Illinois should be pre-season top-5 -- but they need to get and stay healthy

#Illini Brad Underwood on the Elite 8 win: "How good was it to kick Iowa's ass?" "Damn that was good," he added. While the 2026 Final Four team was great, Underwood did the stress the need to move onto 2026-2027 and the clear goal is to WIN the Final Four and National Title. Illinois should be pre-season top-5 -- but they need to get and stay healthy

120,310 Aufrufe

#Illini Dick Butkus almost went to Notre Dame, his son Matt told me. "On his on his recruiting trip to Notre Dame, he asked where the marriage dorms were, and they said, 'You play football here, you don't get married.'" "Illinois was like, 'Oh, these are brand new dorms, and we'll get her a job at the bank!'" Butkus played OL and LB for Illinois, and led them to a 1964 Rose Bowl championship. He finished 6th and 3rd in the Heisman in his last two seasons. He's one of two numbers retired at Illinois, and has a statue. In 1962, they allowed 26 PPG. In 1963, it dropped to 9.9 PPG. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears and became of the greatest linebackers to ever live. On Saturday, the Butkus Award ceremony was held, and the top LBs in HS, College and NFL were presented. Josh Rodriguez of Texas Tech, Jack Campbell of the Detroit Lions and Tyler Atkinson of Grayson High School in Georgia were the winners

435,835 Aufrufe

#illini student Connor Kuhns has been at State Farm Center since 12:30 AM. Just in time for the 7:00 PM Illinois vs Michigan game! “I got a laptop. I got some blankets. Hopefully some sleep. Maybe a movie… and some homework!!”

#illini student Connor Kuhns has been at State Farm Center since 12:30 AM. Just in time for the 7:00 PM Illinois vs Michigan game! “I got a laptop. I got some blankets. Hopefully some sleep. Maybe a movie… and some homework!!”

191,006 Aufrufe

#illini Brad Underwood to the Wisconsin Badgers “Good game guys” Applauded their veteran laden team. Compared them to Illinois last season, when they had Marcus Domask and Terrence Shannon Jr. Underwood said experience is great to have. Wished the Badgers the best of luck to stay healthy. Illinois has been dealing with flu blight And lost to Wisconsin

#illini Brad Underwood to the Wisconsin Badgers “Good game guys” Applauded their veteran laden team. Compared them to Illinois last season, when they had Marcus Domask and Terrence Shannon Jr. Underwood said experience is great to have. Wished the Badgers the best of luck to stay healthy. Illinois has been dealing with flu blight And lost to Wisconsin

471,952 Aufrufe

#Illini Brad Underwood wants to extend the college basketball season and add more games. "We don't play enough games. We are going to have 110 practices, we don't need that many," Underwood said. "Let's go play games." Right now, college basketball is a 31-game regular season. Can play up to 40 if you make the national title. He said he wants the NCAA Tournament to expand. Illinois vs. Oregon on Tuesday.

#Illini Brad Underwood wants to extend the college basketball season and add more games. "We don't play enough games. We are going to have 110 practices, we don't need that many," Underwood said. "Let's go play games." Right now, college basketball is a 31-game regular season. Can play up to 40 if you make the national title. He said he wants the NCAA Tournament to expand. Illinois vs. Oregon on Tuesday.

146,696 Aufrufe

#illini mega scoreboard in action. Illinois, while practicing in the stadium, had it running Season opener: Sep. 3 vs. UAB. The Illlini are 27.5 point favorites

#illini mega scoreboard in action. Illinois, while practicing in the stadium, had it running Season opener: Sep. 3 vs. UAB. The Illlini are 27.5 point favorites

26,137 Aufrufe

$#illini Kylan Boswell fractured his right hand. Out until at least Mid- February Happened in practice Illinois vs Maryland coming up$

#illini Kylan Boswell fractured his right hand. Out until at least Mid- February Happened in practice Illinois vs Maryland coming up

114,165 Aufrufe

#illini Kaden Feagin switched to TE from RB At Illinois, some of his best moments were as a pass catcher Like the Minnesota game in 2023 and the USC game in 2025 He has two years left of playing time

#illini Kaden Feagin switched to TE from RB At Illinois, some of his best moments were as a pass catcher Like the Minnesota game in 2023 and the USC game in 2025 He has two years left of playing time

28,541 Aufrufe

#illini mega scoreboard debuting Largest in college football

#illini mega scoreboard debuting Largest in college football

25,617 Aufrufe

Since the switch from RB to TE, #Illini Kaden Feagin has bulked up to 260 pounds. After watching his weight as a RB, he eats a daily Little Debbie Cream Pie, which he used to regularly eat in high school Illinois’ new tight end was a strong pass catcher last season, and continues to work on his blocking He asked Bret Bielema to move to tight end this offseason, and thinks it could help him get to the NFL

Since the switch from RB to TE, #Illini Kaden Feagin has bulked up to 260 pounds. After watching his weight as a RB, he eats a daily Little Debbie Cream Pie, which he used to regularly eat in high school Illinois’ new tight end was a strong pass catcher last season, and continues to work on his blocking He asked Bret Bielema to move to tight end this offseason, and thinks it could help him get to the NFL

62,983 Aufrufe

#Illini Brad Underwood on MSU's Jeremy Fears and no-call on possible trip: "It wasn't called, but a trip has always been a foul," he said. "It doesn't do me any good to comment on it. So it wasn't called, whether I like it or not. I've gotten 400 officials, opinions on that, and people's calls, so it doesn't matter what I what I think anymore." Illinois lost in overtime to Michigan State, 85-82 Fears has been a national headline since the Michigan game for other plays, such as a technical call vs. Minnesota Illinois is 20-4, and will face Wisconsin on Tuesday video is courtesy of Fighting Illini Athletics

#Illini Brad Underwood on MSU's Jeremy Fears and no-call on possible trip: "It wasn't called, but a trip has always been a foul," he said. "It doesn't do me any good to comment on it. So it wasn't called, whether I like it or not. I've gotten 400 officials, opinions on that, and people's calls, so it doesn't matter what I what I think anymore." Illinois lost in overtime to Michigan State, 85-82 Fears has been a national headline since the Michigan game for other plays, such as a technical call vs. Minnesota Illinois is 20-4, and will face Wisconsin on Tuesday video is courtesy of Fighting Illini Athletics

72,866 Aufrufe

Green Street take over #illini to the Final Four First time for since Illinois since 2005 Next up is UConn or Duke

Green Street take over #illini to the Final Four First time for since Illinois since 2005 Next up is UConn or Duke

59,554 Aufrufe

Source: I will not be replacing David Olano as #illini place kicker

Source: I will not be replacing David Olano as #illini place kicker

39,095 Aufrufe

#illini wide receiver room has two Mt. Zion graduates No. 11 Brayden Trimble & No. 82 Jacob Harvey Trimble has four years left of playing time, and Harvey has five. The teammates helped lead the Braves to the State Title game in 2024 Mt. Zion has other D1 talent, like LSU's JC Anderson, Tulsa's Grant McAtee & Western Illinois' Keller Stocks.

#illini wide receiver room has two Mt. Zion graduates No. 11 Brayden Trimble & No. 82 Jacob Harvey Trimble has four years left of playing time, and Harvey has five. The teammates helped lead the Braves to the State Title game in 2024 Mt. Zion has other D1 talent, like LSU's JC Anderson, Tulsa's Grant McAtee & Western Illinois' Keller Stocks.

14,810 Aufrufe

It appears work is being done on #Illini scoreboard. Illinois football’s new one will be the biggest in the sport Over 17,000 square feet Auburn is 2nd at 10,000 square feet

It appears work is being done on #Illini scoreboard. Illinois football’s new one will be the biggest in the sport Over 17,000 square feet Auburn is 2nd at 10,000 square feet

33,941 Aufrufe

#Illini Bret Bielema after beating Tennessee in the music city bowl “Na na na na, hey hey hey, good bye”

#Illini Bret Bielema after beating Tennessee in the music city bowl “Na na na na, hey hey hey, good bye”

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#Illini it's early, but Illinois' has the top-rated offense in KenPom history if the season ended today, which dates back to 1997 They're scoring 130.5 points per 100 possessions The previous high was Duke's team last year with Cooper Flagg at 130.1 Keaton Wagler is unreal. But he's surrounded by good three point shooters like Ivisic and Davis, and has slashers like Stojakovic and Boswell helping out too. Illinois is 17-3 after beating Purdue

#Illini it's early, but Illinois' has the top-rated offense in KenPom history if the season ended today, which dates back to 1997 They're scoring 130.5 points per 100 possessions The previous high was Duke's team last year with Cooper Flagg at 130.1 Keaton Wagler is unreal. But he's surrounded by good three point shooters like Ivisic and Davis, and has slashers like Stojakovic and Boswell helping out too. Illinois is 17-3 after beating Purdue

44,100 Aufrufe

#illini Tomislav Ivisic on MONO recovery "Adam Fletcher was sitting next to me watching what I eat. I had five meals a day. He was taking care of all of them." Without Fletch, he'd still be out and sick, he said Ivisic added he had chicken alfredo 3 times a day. Might eat it again today Illinois is glad to get Tomi back. He had a double double vs. Ohio State next up for Brad Underwood and co. is at Rutgers

#illini Tomislav Ivisic on MONO recovery "Adam Fletcher was sitting next to me watching what I eat. I had five meals a day. He was taking care of all of them." Without Fletch, he'd still be out and sick, he said Ivisic added he had chicken alfredo 3 times a day. Might eat it again today Illinois is glad to get Tomi back. He had a double double vs. Ohio State next up for Brad Underwood and co. is at Rutgers

63,563 Aufrufe

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At Big Ten Media Days, #Illini HC Bret Bielema explained why he switched to a 3-3-5 defense. A factor: not able to afford defensive linemen with his budget. "The reason I had to make change on defense was I couldn't afford to pay the the numbers," said Bielema. "I had already gone after an offensive line and had to put money out that I needed to get done for that, and then I knew I could kind of buy, in a way, kind of patch together a new defensive scheme that wouldn't require as big of players. Bielema added, "Because some of those big D linemen, those guys are going for ungodly amount of money, and you just can't have them at the number we were at." Bielema also discussed how some college programs have twice the budget for roster building than other schools. "I'm within $5 million of those guys, I can go to bed every night and I'll feel good. I think I can make that difference, right," said Bielema. "But now you start talking about teams that are double, two and a half times that number. It just it can't happen. It won't happen. I've been able to pull the magic out of the hat a couple times, but like to have that sustainability."

At Big Ten Media Days, #Illini HC Bret Bielema explained why he switched to a 3-3-5 defense. A factor: not able to afford defensive linemen with his budget. "The reason I had to make change on defense was I couldn't afford to pay the the numbers," said Bielema. "I had already gone after an offensive line and had to put money out that I needed to get done for that, and then I knew I could kind of buy, in a way, kind of patch together a new defensive scheme that wouldn't require as big of players. Bielema added, "Because some of those big D linemen, those guys are going for ungodly amount of money, and you just can't have them at the number we were at." Bielema also discussed how some college programs have twice the budget for roster building than other schools. "I'm within $5 million of those guys, I can go to bed every night and I'll feel good. I think I can make that difference, right," said Bielema. "But now you start talking about teams that are double, two and a half times that number. It just it can't happen. It won't happen. I've been able to pull the magic out of the hat a couple times, but like to have that sustainability."

218,169 Aufrufe • vor 18 Tagen

#illini Bret Bielema on senior QB Luke Altmyer "I literally got a text from his mom on on on Friday that like, brought me to my knees." He thinks Luke will be an NFL QB Luke led Illinois to 10 and 8 win seasons, a first since 1990 Mentioned his growth in Champaign after transferring from Ole Miss after 2022

#illini Bret Bielema on senior QB Luke Altmyer "I literally got a text from his mom on on on Friday that like, brought me to my knees." He thinks Luke will be an NFL QB Luke led Illinois to 10 and 8 win seasons, a first since 1990 Mentioned his growth in Champaign after transferring from Ole Miss after 2022

924,905 Aufrufe • vor 9 Monaten

#illini head coach Bret Bielema: "It was national bank day for some schools" Bielema criticized some schools for having $20 million budgets for recruiting after national signing day "Some spent $20 million on their roster and still can't get in the college football playoff. We spend a basically a quarter and we're on the doorstep." Bielema says "if all schools use the same checkbook, I get excited where Illinois could go."

#illini head coach Bret Bielema: "It was national bank day for some schools" Bielema criticized some schools for having $20 million budgets for recruiting after national signing day "Some spent $20 million on their roster and still can't get in the college football playoff. We spend a basically a quarter and we're on the doorstep." Bielema says "if all schools use the same checkbook, I get excited where Illinois could go."

1,598,162 Aufrufe • vor 1 Jahr

#illini Bret Bielema explains why he gestured to Shane Beamer during the 2nd half, which caused Beamer to get angry Illinois beat the South Carolina gamecocks 21-17

#illini Bret Bielema explains why he gestured to Shane Beamer during the 2nd half, which caused Beamer to get angry Illinois beat the South Carolina gamecocks 21-17

1,485,481 Aufrufe • vor 1 Jahr

#illini two losses: No. 1 Ohio State & No. 2 Indiana "Literally, the best thing that can happen for us is they win out & play in the Big 10 title." If the CFP ranking came out today.... "Very realistic to think that we'd be pretty high in that ranking," Bielema said someone referenced based on Illinois' win over USC and losses to No. 1 & No. 2. Illinois now has 87% of making the College Football Playoff, per ESPN predictor, if they win out. It was 94% on Friday.

#illini two losses: No. 1 Ohio State & No. 2 Indiana "Literally, the best thing that can happen for us is they win out & play in the Big 10 title." If the CFP ranking came out today.... "Very realistic to think that we'd be pretty high in that ranking," Bielema said someone referenced based on Illinois' win over USC and losses to No. 1 & No. 2. Illinois now has 87% of making the College Football Playoff, per ESPN predictor, if they win out. It was 94% on Friday.

735,136 Aufrufe • vor 11 Monaten

#Illini | In a hotel elevator in Houston, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema was reminded of the 2025 loss to the Indiana Hoosiers -- by a 1979 alum "You're Bielema?!" the woman said. "Yes," Bielema responded. Illinois lost 63-10. "That wasn't a good day for you, was it?" she said. Bielema seemed like a good sport about it, retelling the story to the media. He laughed and said he can't wait to tell Curt Cignetti about the story. Bielema was in Texas on a recruiting trip with several coaches.

#Illini | In a hotel elevator in Houston, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema was reminded of the 2025 loss to the Indiana Hoosiers -- by a 1979 alum "You're Bielema?!" the woman said. "Yes," Bielema responded. Illinois lost 63-10. "That wasn't a good day for you, was it?" she said. Bielema seemed like a good sport about it, retelling the story to the media. He laughed and said he can't wait to tell Curt Cignetti about the story. Bielema was in Texas on a recruiting trip with several coaches.

432,332 Aufrufe • vor 7 Monaten

#illini post game Brad Underwood and Buzz Williams talked for a while in post game hand shake Illinois beat Maryland by 19

#illini post game Brad Underwood and Buzz Williams talked for a while in post game hand shake Illinois beat Maryland by 19

456,072 Aufrufe • vor 8 Monaten

#illini lose to Wisconsin in Big Ten Tournament. Brad Underwood told Josh Whitman, “Sorry about that.” Illinois now awaits for the NCAA Tournament

#illini lose to Wisconsin in Big Ten Tournament. Brad Underwood told Josh Whitman, “Sorry about that.” Illinois now awaits for the NCAA Tournament

285,895 Aufrufe • vor 6 Monaten

#illini mega scoreboard. It’s big. Largest in college football by around 6,000 square feet It will debut this weekend

#illini mega scoreboard. It’s big. Largest in college football by around 6,000 square feet It will debut this weekend

75,792 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat

#illini Bret Bielema walks off the field a Citrus Bowl champion What he’s done in four seasons was unthinkable when hired Illinois finished 10-3. Beat an SEC team for the first time ever South Carolina Gamecocks fall to Illinois

#illini Bret Bielema walks off the field a Citrus Bowl champion What he’s done in four seasons was unthinkable when hired Illinois finished 10-3. Beat an SEC team for the first time ever South Carolina Gamecocks fall to Illinois

799,529 Aufrufe • vor 1 Jahr

#illini students making hot dogs, playing board games, taking naps and having before. Still 8 hours away from tip off vs Michigan All of the Illinois students want to make the lower bowl for seating. Not sure everyone in line waiting will be able to. This is packed

#illini students making hot dogs, playing board games, taking naps and having before. Still 8 hours away from tip off vs Michigan All of the Illinois students want to make the lower bowl for seating. Not sure everyone in line waiting will be able to. This is packed

257,282 Aufrufe • vor 6 Monaten

#illini OL Josh Kruetz bench presses 225 pounds 32 times, firing up the crowd and his QB Luke Altmyer 32 nfl teams scouting Illinois players at PRO DAY

#illini OL Josh Kruetz bench presses 225 pounds 32 times, firing up the crowd and his QB Luke Altmyer 32 nfl teams scouting Illinois players at PRO DAY

233,522 Aufrufe • vor 6 Monaten

#illini Andrej Stojakovic. “Don’t get me wrong. UConn is a phenomenal team. Coached by an all time great coach…” “A couple balls didn’t bounce our way. We had some good looks that went in and out. That is how basketball works.” He said Illinois was confident at halftime despite being down. They like their looks and thought more shots would fall in the 2nd half Illinois finished 6-26 from deep. They were 6-29 from deep in the November loss to UConn

#illini Andrej Stojakovic. “Don’t get me wrong. UConn is a phenomenal team. Coached by an all time great coach…” “A couple balls didn’t bounce our way. We had some good looks that went in and out. That is how basketball works.” He said Illinois was confident at halftime despite being down. They like their looks and thought more shots would fall in the 2nd half Illinois finished 6-26 from deep. They were 6-29 from deep in the November loss to UConn

179,316 Aufrufe • vor 5 Monaten

#illini Josh Whitman on quickly extending Brad Underwood and giving raises to multiple assistants after Illinois’ Final Four run He wanted to be proactive. “Taking care of the coaches is an essential part of my job. When we have success, we never want to put them in a position for them to ask for things. We want them to feel supported and valued,” said Whitman.

#illini Josh Whitman on quickly extending Brad Underwood and giving raises to multiple assistants after Illinois’ Final Four run He wanted to be proactive. “Taking care of the coaches is an essential part of my job. When we have success, we never want to put them in a position for them to ask for things. We want them to feel supported and valued,” said Whitman.

88,103 Aufrufe • vor 2 Monaten

Snow bowl #illini vs northwestern Check out these conditions

Snow bowl #illini vs northwestern Check out these conditions

201,317 Aufrufe • vor 9 Monaten

#Illini Keaton Wagler never scored more than 32 points in high school. But he had 46 points in a win at No. 4 Purdue. Wow. "He's probably an NBA lottery pick," said star Purdue guard Braden Smith. The defending Big Ten player of the Year. Brad Underwood said, "He just plays. He just hoops. There's nothing that like phases him. It's just his personality. He's so stoic, he's very non emotional." "The more impressive thing is he takes the emotion out of it in a venue with 15,000 people all against him, and and he just plays." Illinois is 17-3 and coaches and players think they have a national title ceiling.

#Illini Keaton Wagler never scored more than 32 points in high school. But he had 46 points in a win at No. 4 Purdue. Wow. "He's probably an NBA lottery pick," said star Purdue guard Braden Smith. The defending Big Ten player of the Year. Brad Underwood said, "He just plays. He just hoops. There's nothing that like phases him. It's just his personality. He's so stoic, he's very non emotional." "The more impressive thing is he takes the emotion out of it in a venue with 15,000 people all against him, and and he just plays." Illinois is 17-3 and coaches and players think they have a national title ceiling.

165,595 Aufrufe • vor 7 Monaten

#Illini football could have some cash this transfer portal season Bret Bielema, said "I should have the opportunity to have the biggest opportunity financially that I've ever had here at Illinois." Staff has increased his funds, which can be used to recruit college football players. Meanwhile, other football programs: "Some of these guys that are dealing with 30, 35, $40 million rosters. I just, I can't comprehend what that means, and I'm not going to have that here, which I'm not asking for that either." College coaches often use cash to retain top players and keep them from transferring or going to the NFL early. Other coaches use big dollars amount to attract proven talent.

#Illini football could have some cash this transfer portal season Bret Bielema, said "I should have the opportunity to have the biggest opportunity financially that I've ever had here at Illinois." Staff has increased his funds, which can be used to recruit college football players. Meanwhile, other football programs: "Some of these guys that are dealing with 30, 35, $40 million rosters. I just, I can't comprehend what that means, and I'm not going to have that here, which I'm not asking for that either." College coaches often use cash to retain top players and keep them from transferring or going to the NFL early. Other coaches use big dollars amount to attract proven talent.

160,181 Aufrufe • vor 10 Monaten

#Illini Tyler Underwood calls NBA teams and studies its offenses. Illinois has aspects of the professional game for its team Brad Underwood, "He is way smarter than I am... He talks to those people constantly." Tyler said Illinois runs concepts similar to the Boston Celtics and the Oklahoma City Thunder -- two top NBA teams. Tyler has slowed the offensive tempo down this season, to help the players find best 1 v. 1 matchups. The Illini still want points in the paint, but the Underwood's have transitioned away from centers like Kofi Cockburn doing it. They have guards -- Boswell, Wagler -- who can attack the rim while the Ivisics and Mirkovic can space the floor from the three point line. Illinois currently has the No. 1 offense in America, per KenPom, scoring over 130 points per possessions adjusted. Washington up next on Thursday

#Illini Tyler Underwood calls NBA teams and studies its offenses. Illinois has aspects of the professional game for its team Brad Underwood, "He is way smarter than I am... He talks to those people constantly." Tyler said Illinois runs concepts similar to the Boston Celtics and the Oklahoma City Thunder -- two top NBA teams. Tyler has slowed the offensive tempo down this season, to help the players find best 1 v. 1 matchups. The Illini still want points in the paint, but the Underwood's have transitioned away from centers like Kofi Cockburn doing it. They have guards -- Boswell, Wagler -- who can attack the rim while the Ivisics and Mirkovic can space the floor from the three point line. Illinois currently has the No. 1 offense in America, per KenPom, scoring over 130 points per possessions adjusted. Washington up next on Thursday

91,931 Aufrufe • vor 7 Monaten