One of the very best University of Illinois podcasts/content providers on the planet, Illini Guys, is available on the Chief Sports App.

The Illini Guys, part of Chief Sports partner Sports Spectacular, are just five regular guys in the middle of their professional careers who are die hard fans of the Illinois Fighting Illini.

Meet the Crew…

Larry the Voice grew up near Champaign, Ill., and eventually became a lead sports anchor at one of the biggest cable news channels and the NBA TV and then a network news anchor in large media markets. His smooth voice is second to none, and, in addition to his anchor duty, he is a highly sought-after basketball and football commentator. Larry has never forgotten the thrill of watching the fourth-ranked Illini beat Magic Johnson and the No. 1 Michigan State team in the final seconds. He has remained a diehard Illini fan ever since even as his jobs have taken him all over the United States.

Mike the Dealmaker grew up in Mahomet, Ill., cheering for Derek Harper, Efrem Winters and Champaign Tony Eason. His jobs have taken him all over the country and, as a well-traveled AAU basketball coach, he has worked with many high school and college coaches. But, his passion, just like when he was a little kid watching Illini games on WCIA Channel 3, has remained the Illinois basketball program. He makes deals for his company with the frequency and passion of Doug Altenberger diving for loose balls and taking charges for Lou Henson.

Brad the Guru, too, grew up watching Illinois basketball games on WCIA Channel 3. Even as a little kid, he analyzed zone defense, pick-and-roll, high-post offense and the like. He still remembers vividly the moment Eddie Johnson made the game winning basket with two seconds left in the game to lead the Illini to a dramatic win over the top-ranked Michigan State Spartans on January 11, 1979. He is the busiest man we know – an educator, a HOF coach, a school administrator, a basketball analyst, a recruiting guru and a father to fabulous daughters.

Chris the Counselor played catch with Tony Eason in the Armory when he went to visit the campus in high school. About a year later, he stood in awe watching the then-unranked Illini led by Jack Trudeau, David Williams and Thomas Rooks destroy the fourth-ranked Iowa 33-0 in early October in the magical 1983 season. Having foolishly said “no” to tickets to the 1984 Rose Bowl and the 1989 Final Four (because there would be “many more of these soon”), he now has his priority straight even with his courtroom duties, family obligations and passion for all things golf.

Karl the Doc grew up in Mahomet, Ill.,and spent much of his youth on the Illinois campus: Summers attending Illinois sports camps and the academic year cheering on the Illini with his father and Mike the Dealmaker. Although his loyalty has been tested both by ineptitude (the 0-0 tie with Northwestern in 1978) and the elements (the Christmas Eve game against Kentucky in 1983), he has remained true. He is a father of 5 who in his spare time plays a real-life pediatric heart surgeon.

Be sure to check out all of the content that IlliniGuys offer on their website by clicking HERE. You can also listen to their shows by downloading the Chief Sports App.