Orange & Blue News Podcast

Illinois women's program lands one of the nation's elite scores in Gretchen Dolan. Sunday night Dolan made it official that she will continue her basketball career at the University of Illinois. Dolan attends Williamsville HS in New York. She's a 2023 prospect that averages 38.4 ppg, and played on the EYBL Circuit. 

Illinois lands nationally ranked guard Drayvn Gibbs-Lawhorn. Ben Gibbs, the father of Drayvn, clears the air about his son's recruitment and the misunderstanding that came with it. Ben speaks highly of the coaching staff at Illinois and how impactful they are when it comes to recruiting.

The Fighting Illini received an oral commitment from one of the nation's top punters in Declan Duley. Illini head coach Bret Bielema said special team play for him is very important. Listen here on Ked's recruiting roundup why the El Paso prep picked Illinois.

Illinois women's program making waves early, head coach Shauna Green has not coached a single game for Illinois and is making it known Illinois will win. One of the country's best prospects in Jasmine Brown, who recently released her top 6. Listen here to see who made that list and where Illinois stands with Brown.

The Fighting Illini get their man, Amani Hansberry, one of the nation's top 2023 basketball prospects. Illinois identified Hansberry early (Assistant Coach Chester Frazier). The Baltimore Maryland prep was named to the NIKE EYBL All-Tournament Team.  Hansberry discusses why he picked Illinois over the likes of Penn State, Miami, Virginia Tech, and Auburn.

Former Illinois wing Austin Hutcherson received a professional contract. Hutcherson will play for Vevey Riviera 1st. Division Switzerland. Hutcherson discussed his time at Illinois and how it prepared him for his next journey. Also how he dealt with adversity at Illinois and how he’s able to move forward.

In this episode, we looked to get an outsider's perspective on Illinois football recruiting and what other Big Ten schools are thinking. Also, the new addition of USC and UCLA, how they may impact both Illinois and Iowa. 

Ked's Recruiting Roundup with basketball recruit Caden Wilkins,  big day for juniors who can receive phone calls and text messages from DI school. Illinois assistant coach Chester Frazier was the first B1G school to contact Wilkins. The Bettendorf, IA native talked about the loyalty from the Illinois coaches. 

Ked's Recruiting Roundup With Illinois  Football Recruit Mason Muragin Illinois fans welcome Mason Muragin to Ked's Recruiting Roundup. Mason Muragin is a 6-4, 235-pound DE from Warren Michigan. Muragin talked about his unofficial visit to Illinois and what it means to have an offer from them.

Ked's Recruiting Roundup with Illinois DB coach Aaron Henry. Coach Henry is fresh off a recruiting visit to talk about the future of the Illinois football program and the direction it's headed. His great relationship with head coach Bret Bielema and other coaches, also why it's so easy to sell the FamILLy slogan because that's what it is now at Illinois.

Illini commit Morez Johnson talks Illinois basketball, Johnson is one of the country's top 50 players as a junior. This gifted wing talks about how the early verbal to Illinois happened and what fans can look forward to seeing from him.

Illinois Assistant Basketball Coach Tim Anderson joins the show to discuss how his career started, also how he ended up at Illinois. Coach Anderson also talks about his early and recent success at Illinois and how bright the future will be next year.

Ked's Recruiting Roundup with 6-11 PF Joseph Estrella, who recently received an offer from the Illinois, and assistant coach Chester Fraizer. Estrella discusses his offers and his thoughts on Illinois.

Ked’s Recruiting Roundup with Illini Football Commit Terrell Jennings. He's a Minnesota State transfer committed to Illinois to play DB Jennings will be eligible to play this fall. Here on Ked’s Recruiting Roundup Jennings discusses his journey to the Fighting Illini.

Ked's Recruiting Roundup with Illini commit Jayden Epps, this Northfolk, Virginia shares why he picked Illinois, his great relationship with assistant coach Chester Frazier and head coach Brad Underwood. Also what he expects to bring to the team once he's on campus. Epps, is a Top 75 basketball recruit. 

Ked's Recruiting Roundup with Illini Commit Skyy Clark, he's the biggest basketball recruiting for the Illini in twenty years. Clark at one point was ranked 8th in the county and considered the best PG in the class of 2022. Clark join Ked's Recruiting Roundup to discuss his commitment, fans and he love for the Illini fans.

Ked's Recruiting Roundup with women's recruit Genesis Bryant, just committed to the Univ of Illinois, Bryant is a transfer from NC State. Bryant told us why she picked the Illini and what the fans expect to see from her on the court.

Ked's Recruiting Roundup with 4-star #Illini commit Ty Rodgers. We discussed how Rodgers became in contact with Illinois. How important Coach Tim Anderson is to this staff. The direction of the program now and the relationship with the newest Illini Skky Clark.

Ked's Recruiting Roundup with Missouri S&T Miners Assist Coach Darren Bizarri.  We discussed How much recruiting has changed in the last five years, and how difficult it is for high school basketball and football players to get recruited now that the transfer portal comes into play. Also what Illinois fans missed when Coach Brad Underwood's Illini lost to the Houston Cougars in the second round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament.

Ked's Recruiting Roundup with 2024 Jaydon Wright, one of the nations top RB in the county had an unofficial to the University of Illinois today. Wright came away impressed with everything the #Illini had to offer.