The Javamen Fighting Illini Podcast
Sports & Recreation Podcasts
Set your sails for the JAVAMEN FIGHTING ILLINI PODCAST, the official Illini Basketball podcast of the BIG BANTER Network. We are a group of University of Illinois 2010 alumni that love talking Fighting Illini basketball. Our podcast focuses primarily on Illini basketball with a little football sprinkled in. We share our thoughts on the Fighting Illini, the class of the Big Ten, from a fan perspective. Weekly segments will typically include the following: - Weekly Recap - Weekly Preview - Set Sails in the Vegas Suite - Pass me the Rum Join us for our weekly banter on why we RUN THE BIG. Weekly Contributors include: Nicky Lags "Suds", Scott Spinney "Doctor", Joey Holloran "Dolla Bills", Matt Parenti "Mr. P", Scott Shapiro "Shapopeye", Jamie Ruben "Jubes", Pat Etchingham "Etch", Jesse Stumpf "Jazz", and Paul Biasco "Paulie B". I-L-L I-N-I Presented by BIG BANTER
Location:
United States
Genres:
Sports & Recreation Podcasts
Description:
Set your sails for the JAVAMEN FIGHTING ILLINI PODCAST, the official Illini Basketball podcast of the BIG BANTER Network. We are a group of University of Illinois 2010 alumni that love talking Fighting Illini basketball. Our podcast focuses primarily on Illini basketball with a little football sprinkled in. We share our thoughts on the Fighting Illini, the class of the Big Ten, from a fan perspective. Weekly segments will typically include the following: - Weekly Recap - Weekly Preview - Set Sails in the Vegas Suite - Pass me the Rum Join us for our weekly banter on why we RUN THE BIG. Weekly Contributors include: Nicky Lags "Suds", Scott Spinney "Doctor", Joey Holloran "Dolla Bills", Matt Parenti "Mr. P", Scott Shapiro "Shapopeye", Jamie Ruben "Jubes", Pat Etchingham "Etch", Jesse Stumpf "Jazz", and Paul Biasco "Paulie B". I-L-L I-N-I Presented by BIG BANTER
Language:
English
Episodes
August 21 - 2025 Fighting Illini (#12) Football kick-off w/ Reilly O'Toole
8/23/2025
The Javamen are back for Illini football season with special guest Reilly O’Toole, former star Illini QB. With the team entering the year ranked #12 in the AP Poll, the crew dives into expectations, roster depth, key players, and whether Bret Bielema’s Illini can make a serious College Football Playoff push in 2025.
Episode Highlights
Preseason Buzz#12Bert’s Culture ShiftBret Bielema’s retention and depth building
Offensive Outlook:
Luke AltmyerBarry Lunney Jr.five starting offensive linemenRunning backsWide receivers
Defensive Keys:
Gabe JacasMatthew BaileyXavier ScottJames ThompsonAaron Henry
Season Predictions:
9–311–1CFP berth
Fun Segments: Nostalgia on Juice Williams & Riley’s playing days, jokes about SEC scheduling, and a spirited Week 1 score prediction contest (all have Illini winning big).
Grab a Java, or a Rum, and tune in.
Duration:01:04:09
March 19 - A wUND-erful World
3/20/2025
Suds, Shaps, Joe, and Jubes get together to discuss the Illini's draw for the '25 tourney. The Javamen can agree that there are no more excuses. Big weekend is upon us in Milwaukee.
Grab a Java, or a Rum,
and tune in.
I-L-L
Duration:01:14:26
March 7 - Emergency Pod, Illini take down Purdue
3/7/2025
Java Suds, Shaps, Doc, and Etch host an emergency pod after the huge victory against the Boilermakers. We talk Captain of the Ship and who is walking the plank. Raftery is still the best in the business. THIS IS MARCH.
Grab a java, or a rum,
and tune in.
Duration:00:57:38
March 6 - This is MARCH
3/7/2025
Shaps, Joe, and Doc get together to recap the last few weeks of Illini Basketball. We preview the huge game on senior night against the Boilermakers. THIS IS MARCH.
Grab a java, or a rum,
and tune in.
Duration:01:08:16
February 21 - JAVA Shaps joins BIG Ten HUDDLE After Dark
2/22/2025
Java Shaps joins on the BIG Ten Huddle after Dark. They recap the Michigan vs. Michigan State game, talk Dusty May extension, and preview our Illini against Duke in a marquee Saturday night game at the Garden.
Special Thanks to JR for hosting us.
Grab a java, or a rum,
and tune in.
Duration:00:55:06
February 12 - Blundy, an Elite Program Builder
2/13/2025
Jave Shaps, Java Joe, and Java Etch get together to recap the past few weeks of Illini basketball. The focus is on Brad, the man who brought us back from the depths of despair. Tune in for takes on both sides of the aisle.
Grab a Java, or a Rum,
and tune in.
Duration:01:16:18
January 7 - West Coast Dreaming
1/8/2025
Java Joe, Java Shaps, and Java Suds are back from the Holiday break to recap the last month of Illini basketball. The Illini get hot on the West Coast and it's times like this where you need to be grateful. We talk captain of the ship and change switch to the gridiron for who is walking the plank. Say goodbye to the SEC bias.
Grab a java, or a rum,
and tune in.
Duration:01:09:17
December 12 - Saganaki
12/13/2024
The Crewman are back to recap the past week of Illini basketball. We discuss what happened in the House of Horrors and why we continue to dominate the cheese. Tune in for the Captain of the Ship and who is walking the plank.
Grab a java, or a rum,
and tune in.
Duration:01:09:57
November 21 - (Un)Sweet Home Alabama
11/22/2024
The Crewman get together to recap the Illini's first test in Birmingham. We discuss who is the early front runner for Captain of the Ship. Java Shaps planks Chicago sports and Java Suds get heated. Java Joe talks balance and hypes up Illini football.
Grab a Java, or a Rum,
and tune in.
Duration:01:05:57
November 14 - Illini Basketball is BACK
11/15/2024
The Crewman are back to talk Illini basketball. We recap the first 3 games of the year and share our initial reactions to the new squad. We discuss who is the Captain of the Ship and who is walking the plank two weeks into the season. Java Joe gets taught a geography lesson. The non-conference schedule is predicted. Java Shaps gives the run down on Castaways and Java Suds gives one bonus Castaway.
Grab a java, or a rum,
and tune in.
Duration:01:08:05
October 22 - The Oregon Trail
10/23/2024
The JAVAMEN are back to recap the last two weeks of Illini football. We discuss the main takeaways from the win against the defending champs. We talk about Java Shaps' upcoming trip to Eugune to take on the #1 team in the country. The Illini continue to get disrespected in the polls and we have something to say about it.
Grab a java, or a rum,
and tune in.
Duration:01:14:58
October 3 - The PATH
10/4/2024
Java Suds, Java Shaps, and Java Joe board the ship to talk about our Illini's hot start. We talk about what position group has been the most pleasant surprise and who is walking the plank. Java Suds and Java Shaps assign blame for the Illini's goal line sequence at the end of the first half against PSU. Java Joe shows us the path to the buried treasure.
Grab a Java, or a rum,
and tune in.
I-L-L
Duration:01:18:16
August 21 - Illini Football is BACK w/ Reilly O'Toole
8/22/2024
The JAVAMEN kickoff the Illini football season with special guest, former QB1 of the Fighting Illini, Reilly O'Toole. Reilly provides insights about his recruitment and career with the Illini. We discuss the keys to the 2024-25 football season. Reilly shares his thoughts on Brad being an elite program builder and we close it out by predicting the number of wins for Bert's squad.
Grab a java, or a rum, and tune in.
Duration:01:15:58
August 8 - JAVA Shaps joins the BIG Huddle
8/9/2024
Listen in as JAVA Shaps joins the BIG Ten Huddle to debate which teams in the BIG have the hardest and easiest non-conference schedules for the 2024-2025 basketball season. Java Shaps, JR, and Kent from Casual BIG Ten also debat the top coaches and mascots in the BIG.
Grab a java, or a rum, and tune in.
Duration:01:15:13
Season 3: July 3 - The Summer of Brad
7/3/2024
The boys are back above sea level to recap what has been a wild offseason...so far. Join Joe, Jubes, and Shaps as they discuss the new roster filled with NBA talent and give praise to our fearless leader. Is Undy more than just an elite program builder? Plus, could there be one more piece joining an already loaded lineup?
Grab a java or rum and listen in as we butcher all the new players' names.
Duration:01:24:14
April 3 - Rocket Brad
4/4/2024
The JAVAMEN close out season 2 of the Javamen Fighting Illini Podcast. We recap the Illini's most successful season in 19+ years. The Doc recaps his night in Boston against the Cyclones. Java Joe discusses improvements made by Brad over the years. We discuss what went wrong against the Huskies, including the gameplan according to the Spy.
We are thankful for a hell of a year.
Thank you to Brad, Josh, TJ, Coleman, Ayo, Trent, Kofi, and many others.
Grab a java, or a rum, and tune in.
I-L-L.
Duration:01:05:27
March 12 - Pursuit of Happiness
3/13/2024
'Pede vs. Squad. The debate continues. The JAVA Crew have mixed feelings about our fearless leader, Coach Undy. Has he done enough to earn a lifetime contract by raising us from the depths of despair or does is his failures in March define him? We dish out overall grades and discuss what we want to see for him to earn his keep as a top 10 bagman.
Grab a Java or a Rum, and Tune in.
Duration:01:15:12
March 3 - Brand New Brad
3/4/2024
THIS IS MARCH. Java Spy and Java Suds recap the last few weeks of Illini basketball. We talk about the ELITE offensive output from the Illini and what in-between and in-game adjustments we are seeing out of the new Brad. We give our Captain of the Ship and who is walking the plank. Credit is given to the new Brad in the race of BIG Coach of the year. We preview Purdue and talk about one key adjustment that needs to be made before tip.
Grab a java, or a rum,
and tune in.
Duration:01:12:12
February 21 - JAVA Shaps joins the Huddle
2/23/2024
We have a special episode of the Javamen FIghting Illini Podcast this week as Java Shaps joined the Big Ten Huddle shortly after the Illini's collapse in Happy Valley.
Grab a java, or a rum, and tune in.
Duration:01:12:36
February 8 - Daydreamin'
2/9/2024
Java Etch, Java Jubes, and Java Suds are back from a mini hiatus to talk some Illini basketball. We recap the past few weeks, including an in depth look of the good, bad, and ugly from the Nebraska game and preview the upcoming Quad 1 matchup in East Lansing. Java Etch explains why we as Illini bball fans should remain grateful, while Jubes and Suds are waiting on March success.
Grab a java, or a rum, and tune in.
Duration:01:02:18