Apparently Zvonimir and Tomislav are #1 and #2 in the country from “close 2” ….
Illini Basketball 2025-2026
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You may be right about all of those things. But, that does not change how he comes off in the clip. All the Michigan gear doesn't help either...
Chad Fleck
- Eureka, IL
I use my real name here. The most I've been associated with them is buying some Tinker coffee to support them.
I understand they aren't doing real analysis. As I posted, it's entertainment. That's what I go them for. Everywhere else is analysis. They are my first listen, because it's different and it amuses me. I love Greg and Cart and their efforts.
I honestly don’t get the hate toward Sleepers here, but everyone’s entitled to their opinion. They’re easily more supportive of our program than any other show out there. Even if some of it comes off as pandering, it would be silly not to lean into that given how massive and active the Illini fanbase is online. And if we’re making a fair comparison, their analysis is leagues better than something like FO68. But I digress, we have a Final Four game to win.
Chad Fleck
- Eureka, IL
Yeah, I think FO68 pretty much sucks unless LaTulip is on.
I'm guessing there is a pretty big generational gap. Older people probably don't appreciate 30 something guys humor.
I mean, they've literally said this exact thing - that they're entertainers and not analysts or journalists. But I watch a ton of Illinois content and I'm confident in saying that no "national", non-Illinois affiliated media know our team as well as Greg does. I also met them at a game a couple years ago and they both seemed like good, genuine dudes.
To each their own though. We're fortunate that we have an abundance of content from which to choose.
I think the best without a doubt is IlliniInquirer, Jeremy has put together a great crew as evidenced by where the guys he’s graduated on to other things.
Jeremy and company are unabashedly Illini but the reporting is fair, though just from an Illinois fan perspective. And I think—I know—that my wife has a mom crush on Kyle.
It’s more than a vlog, however. Check out the website.
And no, I wasn’t paid to write this.
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
Yeah, this is one slight trouble in thinking about next year. Lots of NIL brought a great roster this year, okay, you just reload next year, but we're losing the single biggest bargain in America.
He's a Michigan alumni what do you expect lol. Also id bet he has more Illini gear than you do. (He has a lot, wears them often).
Is he the greatest Illini ever if we win the national championship?
RabidDawgClassic
- Los Angeles, CA
No, but he will have a premium place in our lore.
IlliniKat91
- Chicago, IL
Watching Sleepers is like talking the game with your sports obsessed friends. Are they always good takes? Not by a long shot. But it is a fun way to pass the time.
I've always enjoyed them, and they're one is the few podcasts I follow that are clean enough for me to listen to at work. Win in my book
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
That would be a fun argument!
He has now replaced Dee as my favorite.
Isn't he a Michigan State alum though? Or did he go to both?
RabidDawgClassic
- Los Angeles, CA
Let’s say, for argument’s sake, that Wagler goes on to become the next Michael Jordan. That would now beg the question “is Michael Jordan the greatest Tar Heel ever?” Certainly his time at UNC was exceptional and he hit the game winner in the 1982 natty game. But does that make him the greatest Tar Heel? Most notable, sure, but there were many before and after him that — based only on their time in Chapel Hill — could claim greater Tar Heel success.
Would one season and a natty for Wagler out do the Illini accomplishments of Kendall Gill, Nick Anderson, Deron Williams, Deon Thomas, Kiwanis Garris, Malcolm Hill… all of which who would have considerably less hardware than Wagler, but more years and tangible records than him?
For the record, I don’t have the answers to these question. But let’s hope this debate grows legs in the coming days and weeks and years.
3 point girl
- texas
No one can ever replace Dee. Even now if you run into him he will talk forever about how great Illinois basketball is.
Illini2010-11
- Sugar Grove
If Wagler goes on a Mackey Special on Monday and the Illini win, there is likely to be a statue built of him built in the trophy room of State Farm Center.
With that said, it is really hard to say greatest ever because of context. For this generation of Illini, Ayo was the beginning of this extended stretch of success. Without him, are we where we are today? Furthermore the landscape of the game has changed greatly in the last decade. For that reason, each of the above members of the Illini will always hold a special place in the hearts and minds of Illini young and old. However, if Wagler is the ultimate 1 and done at Illinois, he will definitely be in consideration for the best to wear the jersey.
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
Boy, I dunno. MJ is their only two-time NPOY, was unanimous NPOY his final year (only Antawn Jamison and Tyler Hansbrough have done that), hit the game winning shot to win a national title, and he's Michael Jordan
It's always going to be a no from me because I think guys who were here longer had a bigger impact.
But I just want to say it's crazy to me that you don't even mention Dee Brown on that list. He's the GOAT for me. Go be Steph Curry this week and make that an argument, Keaton.
IF we make the title game alone, I think he's considered the top Illini of the Underwood era. He's had a lot of help but he's the number 1 guy by a distance on the greatest Illini team in 21 years at that point. Win the title game and yeah he's our best Illini probably.
Tbh he's probably the top guy of the Underwood era already carrying the team to a final four, even if it's a year thing. I wouldn't say the best but the top.
Tbh he's probably the top guy of the Underwood era already carrying the team to a final four, even if it's a year thing. I wouldn't say the best but the top.
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