East of First: Recent Episodes
Isaac Ambrose
Illinois lands Skyy Clark and the future looks even brighter in Champaign...
But what will Kofi do?
The illini have a big ten title heading into the NCAA Tourney and are looking ahead to hopefully a second weekend. First stop is Pittsburgh.
The Illini had a wild journey in February but ultimately came out of it with a chance to still win a title. I recap the past month and look ahead to the end of the season.
The season has been a rollercoaster with Covid, Concussions, and Culture wins. Illinois dealt with the hand they were given and got a HUGE top 10 win.
The Illini are braggin once again and then fall ill after Christmas. I look forward to the month of January and how Illinois can stay atop the Big Ten standings.
State Farm Center was electric but the Illini got in their own way against a good Arizona team.
Bielema shows glimpses of a bright future while the basketball team cannot seem to stay healthy...
Kofi's suspension has been lifted after a stinker on Monday night and Illini football tries to take down Iowa without their leader.
There were some teachable moments in Friday night's exhibition game and then the football team laid a big second half stinker on Dad's Day.
East of First is back and Isaac recaps the past few weeks of Illini football while looking ahead to some winnable games.
(Real)Illinois basketball is just 12 days away!
Bielema makes another questionable call on the road at Purdue and Josh McCray has himself a day.
The late game mismanagement is unworthy of a good pun...
The Maryland TerraPUNS come to Champaign and hand the Illini a tragic loss...
Illinois gets blown off the turf by 10:15 in Virginia and expectations are now so, so low. Is there a chance Illinois loses out?
Better late than never to throw a pity party about the UTSA loss and what might happen against Virginia this weekend.
The first win of the Bielema era lived up to the hype and the excitement in Champaign was palpable. Is UTSA as good as we think they are?
The Bielema era is 6 days away and some of the over/unders are juicy against the huskers.
Ayo is headed to Chicago and Illinois football impresses at the Training Camp Sneak Peak.
Lon is high on Bret Bielema while Isaac and Trevor are more hesitant.
What will be a disappointing/satisfying result of the 2021-2022 Illini basketball season?
Isaac discusses the Illini lighting up Big Ten media days and how the buzz of Kofi's return is still palpable.
Isaac reacts to the return of Kofi Cockburn and why he doesn't blame Kofi for dragging this out. Isaac discusses recent recruiting success and why August 28th cannot come soon enough...
Isaac discusses the Dawson Garcia news, why Kofi is in Atlanta, and his experience reliving the 2019 comeback win over MSU.
Kofi can't make up his mind on what he wants to do, but someone should open a coffee shop in his honor. Isaac and Trevor discuss the big man's future and the impact of NIL on the Illini.
Michael Carpenter and Isaac recap the 2020-2021 Illini football/basketball seasons and what they are most excited for this Fall. Carp helps Isaac put Ayo's legacy in perspective.
Isaac relives the 2019 "This won't end well for Illinois" Game and looks forward to 100% capacity this fall.
Trevor Vallese joins to talk Brad Underwood and Bret Bielema's binds as they deal with interesting off-seasons. Ayo and Kofi deserve true NBA shots. Cubs/Cards and NBA parlay discussion.
Isaac Ambrose tackles the first ever episode of the East of First podcast. Illini sports news has begun to hit that summer drought and Isaac speaks on the basketball coaching situation, football recruiting momentum, and more.