🎙️ The JAVAMEN are back — and it’s a loaded episode.

Java Suds, Java Shaps, and Java Joe return as Illini hoops fires up and football stares down a playoff-defining trip to Seattle.

🏀 Basketball Talk

New Season, New Hype

The crew dives into the Illini’s stacked roster — returning stars Kylan Boswell and Tommy Ivisic, plus an exciting new wave led by Andrej Stojaković and David Mirković.

Key Points:

• Boswell and Tommy labeled “alphas” heading into Year 2.
• Ben’s engagement, confidence, and “Fletch-program” strength spark plenty of chatter.
• Brad Underwood’s Year 9 staff shake-up gets laughs and cautious optimism.
• A brutal early slate — Texas Tech, Bama, UConn, Tennessee, and Mizzou — sets the tone for how real this team could be.
• Consensus: Top-4 Big Ten finish and a second-weekend tourney run are the new bar for success.

🏈 Football Focus

Playoff Stakes in Seattle

Fresh off the bye, Illinois heads west for a massive matchup with Washington. The guys break down the betting line shift, the rainy forecast, Luke Altmyer’s poise, and why Bret Bielema’s post-bye magic could be the difference.

Who’s taking the Illini? Who’s calling the upset? And which JAVAMAN thinks this could be the turning-point game of the season?

Grab a Java, or a Rum, and tune in.