ISN Now: Recent Episodes
Noah Cowell
Illini Sports Night’s very own Host Will Charlton and Producer Noah Cowell embark on a new journey - ISN Now! The guys discuss weekly results of Illinois sports and predict the bright futures of the campus’s rising programs.
After the duo's 69th episode, Will and Noah are graduating from Illinois... and saying goodbye to ISN Now.
For their last episode, they look at the key Illini basketball additions of Ben Humrichous and Tomislav Ivisic, as well as another potential incomer...
Also, the baseball team is still clinging to the Big Ten lead... but remains out of the NCAA Tournament field. Can the Illini get resume-building wins to get an at-large bid, or do they need to win the conference tournament to end a five-year drought?
Illinois basketball season may be over, but there's no time to rest for Brad Underwood and Co. New additions and departures make next season full of unpredictable results.
Illinois baseball started its season 5-10. Since then, the offense has been shot out of a cannon. Will the Illini hold onto an unexpected Big Ten lead?
It's not officially the Illini basketball offseason yet. For the women, that is. The men's team outlasted Iowa State in the Sweet 16 before getting pounded into the ground by championship-favorite UConn in the Elite Eight.
Now, it's transfer portal season. Where will the Illini go from here?
Also, Illini baseball may just be turning things around in its early rollercoaster of a season.
Illinois. Iowa State. The #1 Offense. The #1 Defense.
With this much on the line, Will and Noah had no other option than to bring on an expert: Iowa State Beat Writer... Alec Busse. The former Illini Sports Night correspondent gives us a look into the highly-anticipated matchup.
Illini Nation - It's been 19 years, but your Fighting Illini are back in the Sweet Sixteen.
Terrence Shannon Jr. led the way in a dominant performance against Duquesne to advance to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament. Will and Noah discuss what's unique about this team and why there's no reason Brad Underwood can't take them all the way.
For the second time in four years, Illinois is Big Ten Tournament champions. How far can the Illini go?
A day before the Madness begins, Will, Noah, and two surprise guests give their contenders and entertaining upset picks.
No. 12 Illinois can’t get over the hump against No. 3 Purdue, making it five straight losses against Zach Edey and the Boilermakers.
The Illinois-Minnesota made history in many ways - all on the offensive end. Can the Illini defense finally tighten things up against a slumping Wisconsin team? Will gets to see the road game in person against a team he once rooted for...
After an astonishingly bad, jaw-dropping, absolutely awful, incredibly distasteful, horrendous loss to Penn State, Illinois turns things around with a big win against Iowa.
The Illini received massive contributions from Coleman Hawkins (career-high 30 points) and Justin Harmon (12 points off bench), as well as surprise boosts from Nicole Moretti (career-high 9 points) and Amani Hansberry (we liked his play).
Ugh. Will the Penn State dominance ever end?
A game after Illinois once again controlled its own destiny to win the Big Ten, the Illini crumbled late (once again) in a road loss to depleted Penn State.
Will things get fixed, or will these trends continue until the Illini lose early in the NCAA Tournament?
Illinois defeats Maryland in College Park for the first time since 2011. Exciting stuff, yeah?
Absofrutely.
Illinois edged by Nebraska in overtime to keep the winning streak alive and re-enter the top 10. Can the Illini extend the streak on the road at Michigan State?
It may have been ugly, but Illinois got the job done against Indiana on Saturday. Now, it will need a much better performance on the road Tuesday against Ohio State.
Can this be the start of a winning streak, or will the Illini lose even more ground in the Big Ten title race?
Hello "We're Back Department", I'd like to file a claim.
Terrence Shannon Jr.'s scores 16 points in his return from suspension and the Illini defeat Rutgers at home, 86-63.
Maryland remains Illinois' kryptonite. Will Brad Underwood's squad bounce back in Ann Arbor against bottom-dweller Michigan on Thursday?
Our "experts" say yes.
Illinois struggled but pulled out its fourth straight victory against Tom Izzo on Thursday. Can it maintain its position in the top 10 and near the top of the Big Ten with another win at home against Maryland on Sunday?
In TSJ’s continued absence, Illinois made a statement in a blowout win over Northwestern before falling short in a comeback attempt at No. 1 Purdue. Listen to takeaways Noah and Will have, as well as an update on the TSJ situation later in the episode.
What a shocking 72 hours it has been for Illinois basketball. Terrence Shannon Jr. is arrested and charged with rape, and AD Josh Whitman discusses the situation (and immediate suspension) in a press conference shortly before the team dominates FDU 104-71.
As always, Will and Noah are here to discuss it all.
Will and Noah discuss Illinois falling just short on the road against Tennessee, while also discussing the team's new ranking of No. 16.
On top of that, the guys talk about women's basketball's blunder against Michigan and how Tommy DeVito has taken the NFL by storm.
Terrence Shannon Jr. and Marcus Domask (66 combined points) led Illinois to a big win at Madison Square Garden, and they'll have their hands full once again on the road on Saturday.
Pending another top-20 win, a potential spot in the top 10 awaits them...
Illinois earned a statement victory in its first test away from Champaign this season.
Will and Noah talk about the win over Rutgers and preview the upcoming matchup with FAU. The guys also discuss the College Football Playoff teams and the controversy regarding Florida State.
Illinois football's season is over as it will not be going to a bowl game.
Will and Noah give a season recap and attempt to figure out what lies ahead for Bret Bielema's team.
Also, the guys talk Illinois basketball's 5-1 start and more.
With a chance to reach bowl eligibility and keep Big Ten West title hopes alive, Illinois falls to Iowa 15-13. Also, Illinois basketball struggles to start out strong in the early season.
What else is there to say?
Illinois' backup quarterback led the team to a thrilling 48-45 victory over Indiana where he set the Memorial Stadium record for passing yards in a single game.
Will and Noah also discuss basketball's lackluster start ahead of a big home matchup with No. 5 Marquette.
If there's anything Illini fans will remember from this 2023 football team, it will be the John Paddock game.
With this latest miracle, Illinois is SOMEHOW still in contention in the Big Ten West. Good lord.
Bret Bielema has never lost to Minnesota, but will that change on Saturday? Also, is Michigan football the Astros equivalent of college football?
No. 25 Illinois makes a statement with an 82-75 exhibition victory over No. 1 Kansas in Bill Self's return to Champaign, and a special guest is on the show: Flyin' Illini legend and current BTN analyst Stephen Bardo.
Bardo and the guys discuss the improvements from last year's team, and what they think the Illini are capable of going forward.
Illinois blows 14-point fourth quarter lead and loses to Wisconsin 25-21. How did Bielema's team collapse, and what comes next?
ISN Now has its first guest of the semester, ESPN 93.5 radio host Lon Tay. In what is by far the most entertaining episode this year, Lon joins Will and Noah in the discussion of Illinois' first exhibition basketball game of the season, as well as the Homecoming game against Wisconsin.
You just never know with Illinois football.
Caleb Griffin's game-winning field goal gives Illinois a big upset win over Maryland to move to 3-4. Can this season still be saved?
Illinois heads to College Park as heavy underdogs against a 5-1 Maryland. Can the Illini establish any sort of identity? Facing tough odds and a high-powered offense, can they finally compete?
On the one-year anniversary of ISN Now, Will and Noah question the glaring issues that lie within Illinois football.
It's safe to say neither is happy.
It's a new-look ISN Now! In the new audio booth, Will and Noah try out the new theme song and the fun sound effects.
But in more serious news, Illinois faces fellow 2-3 Nebraska on Friday night in what is ABSOLUTELY a must-win game (for both teams).
After getting blown out on the road to three-loss Purdue, Illinois has many problems it needs to fix if there's any hope to salvage this disastrous start to the season.
How can the Illini fix these problems?
Can the Illini end the four-year drought? Will and Noah discuss what Illinois needs to do to in its first game against Ryan Walters.
The Illini get another one in the win column against Florida Atlantic, but probably not the way they hoped to. Will and Noah analyze the problems that Illinois will need to fix before heading into the thick of Big Ten schedule.
In a potential "get-right" game, Illinois faces fellow 1-2 Florida Atlantic on Saturday afternoon. Can Bielema right the ship before the Illini head into the thick of the Big Ten schedule?
If you're going to beat a top-10 team, both the offense and defense need to be sharp. The offense was quite the opposite, as Luke Altmyer threw 4 INT and the Illini lost, 30-13.
Will and Noah are back to give you another postgame reaction, as well as how to move on from a 1-2 start.
There may not be a Big Noon Kickoff pregame show coming to Champaign, but Memorial Stadium will still be as loud as ever.
Take a listen as Will and Noah bring ISN co-host Alec Gilmore onto the show to discuss tomorrow's formidable matchup against No. 7 Penn State.
Illinois struggled mightily on Friday night, falling to Kansas 34-23. Will and Noah are here to discuss what went wrong, and what it means for future expectations for the season.
After surviving a nail-biter in Week 1, the Illini head to Lawrence to face an even tougher opponent: the Kansas Jayhawks. Will and Noah discuss the win against Toledo and what Illinois needs to do on Friday night to come back to Champaign with another big win.
Call us Texas because we're so back (if you know, you know).
Illini Sports Night Anchors Will and Noah are back for a second season of ISN Now, and they start it with a preview of Saturday night's football home opener and more!
Will and Noah are back one more time this year on ISN Now! The season finale starts with men's golf heading back to the NCAA Championships. Can they win that coveted first national title? The guys then discuss Terrence Shannon Jr. and Coleman Hawkins' NBA Draft Combine updates and what they mean for their futures. Finally, what's the deal with RayJ Dennis?
Will and Noah are back to discuss Illinois football showing out in the NFL Draft, and it starts with Top 5 pick Devon Witherspoon. Then, they discuss the new additions to the men’s basketball team, while hinting at another one.
It’s the off-season for college basketball, but it’s about as busy as ever. Will and Noah bring in guest Ethan Holesha to discuss the Illinois men’s basketball departures as well as potential targets to bring on for next season.
Both men’s and women’s basketball made it to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 20 years, but each team lost in its first game. Will and Noah give an overview of the problems that plagued the men’s team all year, while also providing some perspective for each squad’s future.
The Bracket Special continues! Noah picked the biggest upset bid so far in Colgate, but can either Alec or Will top him? Also, we have a very interesting matchup between Illinois and (Alec's hometown) Arkansas. Who will reign victorious in the First Round matchup, and how far can Illinois go?
Also, stay tuned till the end for predictions on the Illinois women's 11th-seeded play-in situation. With the potential return of Brynn Shoup-Hill, can Shauna Green win her first career NCAA Tournament game? If so, can the Illini make a Cinderella run in their first tournament in 20 years?
It's time for a special episode of ISN Now — the Bracket Special! Shortly following Selection Sunday's completion of the Field of 68, Will and Noah open their brackets and go game-to-game making their picks. They're not alone, though, as they're joined by fellow host of Illini Sport Night, Alec Gilmore! The three discuss each game throughout the field, with predictions of stunning upsets and Cinderella runs aplenty.
Noah had a chance to talk with former Illinois head coach and Hall of Famer Theresa Grentz. He and Will listen to a few snippets from the interview. In other news, the men's Big Ten Tournament starts today, and the guys predict Illinois' fate against Penn State tomorrow. They also predict the winners of every game in the tournament. Hint: Noah's answers may surprise you.
The Madness has begun. In other news, Juwan Howard still hasn’t beaten Brad Underwood, and Shauna Green is 1-0 in her Illinois career in March. Will and Noah discuss each basketball team’s thrilling win on Thursday and preview their next games (WBB tonight against Maryland, MBB Sunday against Purdue).
Will and Noah have guest Zain Bando back on the show to discuss last night's dramatic comeback against Northwestern. The three also discuss another unexpected result in women's basketball, but ending in opposite fashion.
After a tough loss to Penn State, Illini men's basketball heads to Bloomington with revenge on their mind. Can they stop a red-hot Trayce Jackson-Davis? On the other side, women's basketball needs another win or two to solidify its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2003. Penn State currently stands in the way.
As college basketball is winding down, Noah and Will discuss the crucial win for the men’s team against Rutgers, and how it compares to the comeback win for the women’s team two days prior.
Will and Noah are joined by former Illini Sports Night host Anthony Pasquale once again to discuss Illini men's and women's basketball and their recent successes. They also give their predictions for some upcoming big games.
We're Back! Season 2 of the podcast starts with Noah and Will discussing the previous night's basketball win against Ohio State. They discuss past men's and women's basketball results, including what's in store for both teams in the following days.
Noah and Will are back to discuss Illinois basketball before tonight's Braggin' Rights game against Missouri. Can the men's team replicate the women's success? The guys also give their predictions for the ReliaQuest Bowl.
You read that right. The voice of the Fighting Illini came onto the show this week to discuss the thrilling win over No. 2 Texas and what lies in store for the Illini football team in Tampa. Will and Noah also discuss a team that’s continuing unprecedented levels of success.
A familiar face is back....Will and Noah welcome Anthony Pasquale on the show to talk Illini basketball. The former Illini Sports Night host gives his insight on the win against Syracuse and what it means for the tough ranked battles ahead. Later, the guys discuss the aftermath of the Illinois football season and what recent developments mean for the future of the Big Ten.
Will and Noah welcome Zain Bando back to the show to discuss the tragic loss in Ann Arbor and what Illinois needs to do to end the season strong. They also discuss the men's basketball team's up-and-down weekend in Vegas.
This may be the biggest weekend for Illini sports in YEARS. With the Big Ten West race on the line, Illinois football faces a daunting test in Ann Arbor. Men's basketball travels to Vegas to face Top-10 foes. Among other things, 6,000 kids went to watch the women's basketball team make some history of its own.
Men's and women's basketball are back in full swing, but Noah and Will start by discussing the surprise loss by the football team last Saturday. How can they turn things around?
Illinois Athletics stay winning. In what has already been a year to remember, Noah and Will follow yet another Illini football win with a look at Michigan State. Plus, men's basketball 'officially' starts in less than a week. Is there a better time to be in Champaign?
Time to fill the State Farm Center, Illini Nation. Basketball is back tonight. But first, Noah and Will preview Illinois football as they battle to stay atop the Big Ten West. They also analyze the volleyball team's biggest win of the season.
Illinois football wins again, and ISN Now is here for it! Will and Noah invite writer for Illini Guys Zain Bando onto the show to discuss the outlook for the rest of the season. However, football isn't the only sport on campus making national attention.
Will and Noah talk more Illinois football heroics, but they're not alone! The first guest appearance in the show's running is Ben Crane (not the golf pro). The three guys reflect on the nail-biting win over Iowa, followed by hopes for the season's future going into Homecoming game. They then discuss new facilities and volleyball's potential beginning to grow.
Illinois football made a huge statement with a blowout win in Madison, but can they continue the hype against Iowa? Men's basketball steals a big recruit from Purdue. The volleyball team follows two big wins with a week of heartbreak.
Will and Noah discuss the upcoming football matchup against Wisconsin in what will be Coach Bielema's first game in Madison since leaving 10 years ago. Also, the men's basketball team makes an appearance in the first preseason rankings.
Will and Noah discuss Illini football's blowout win and more, followed by the new release of the men's basketball schedule. Then, they dive further into other sports on campus like volleyball and men's golf, discussing each team's results in the past week.
In the first episode of this sports talk podcast, Noah Cowell and Will Charlton talk about Illinois football and how the first three games are an insight to change in the program. Then, Orange Krush tickets sell out in record time. Plus, Illinois volleyball is looking to stay ranked in a very tough Big Ten volleyball conference. Finally, the men's golf team has won tons of Big Ten championships; coach Small hopes to add the missing pieces for a National Championship.