Mike Cagley, Co-Host Sports Spectacular and Big Sports Radio

November 10, 2025

The Illini had the week off. The B1G watched the Badgers get into the conference winning column for the first time in over a year as they upset the Washington Huskies. Iowa and Washington dropped out of the list of teams with viable CFP possibilities with losses – despite Iowa playing well against a tough Oregon team. Now, Washington and Iowa get to be spoilers – as Iowa plays USC this week and Washington wraps up their season against Oregon.

Hail Mary #1 – Three Teams “Eliminated” from CFP Contention Last Week

Last week the Hawkeyes, Huskies and Missouri Tigers lost their third games of the season and have essentially been eliminated from CFP contention. Now, Tiger fans can move on to worrying if Eli is being targeted for any of the big jobs open.

In the B1G, there are no true elimination games, but the statistical chances of an upset are out there after Wisconsin took down Washington – despite Coach Fickell getting the dreaded “vote of confidence” from embattled AD Chris McIntosh.

In the SEC, things look much more exciting for their fans this week. Oklahoma travels to Alabama and the Longhorns travel to face the Bulldogs in Athens, GA.

Both Ole Miss and Vanderbilt (who is idle this week) appear to have easy wins to finish the season, but with college kids and the spreading of talent due to NIL and the transfer portal, one never knows.

For those saying the SEC has tougher schedules, next week teams such as Samford, Eastern Illinois, and Charlotte are coming to play SEC powers. Scary stuff.

Heat Check #1 – Basketball Injuries Mounting

The injury bug has bitten the Illini early and often in the 2025-26 basketball season. Already we’ve had Ty Rodgers, Andrej Stojakovic, Mihailo Petrovic, Brandon Lee and Tomislav Ivišić fighting injuries. Ivišić is the one that worries Illini fans as he is out “indefinitely” and no one is 100% certain of the injury or its overall seriousness.

Apparently, there is a rule that the Illini Men’s Basketball team cannot practice together as a unit until the season starts. This year, the rule has been extended into the regular season. Let’s hope the rule doesn’t extend until the B1G conference schedule starts.

This team has depth and talent like few Illini teams before it. Let's hope they get healthy enough for Illini fans to witness the team playing at full strength this season.

Anyone with faith healing credentials please reach out to Coach Underwood to help heal the team. If someone needs a bucket of KFC to be sacrificed to Jobu, I’m sure Illini fans will foot the bill. (See the movie Major League if you don't get that reference - it's an oldy, but a goody.)

Heat Check #2 – Keaton Wagler and David Mirkovic

Brad Underwood is famous for hyperbole. Yet when he called Mirkovic and Wagler the best freshmen he has seen in a long time, it may not be hyperbole.

Yes, it’s too early to “bank on it” but after two games Wagler is averaging 20.0 points per game with 6.5 rebounds per game and 3.5 assists per game. That’s impressive.

Mirkovic is averaging 18.0 points per game, along with 12.5 rebounds per game and 2.5 assists per game. Even more impressive.

When Underwood describes them as the best freshman he has seen in a long time, that means he’s counting two first round one-and-done draft picks – Kasparas Jakucionis and Will Riley - along with Illini legends Ayo Dosunmu and Kofi Cockburn.

That’s pretty good company. Let’s hope Coach Underwood is correct. And let's hope the Illini get healthy - and stay healthy.

.