Illinois
Former NC State Commit Robert Jones III Commits to Illinois
3-Star 2025 Center Isaac Sowells Jr. (6’2″/295) took an Official Visit to NC State last weekend. I caught up with him to get his take on the experience.
Walk through the visit. What did you do? Where did you go? Who did you meet?
We did a lot of things. We went through academics, facility tours, photo shoots, a lot of eating, and just getting to get comfortable around the people in the building.
What was the message from the coaches to you? What is your relationship like with the coaches?
The message from the coaches to me is I can be the Center of the future and help this program in the right direction. I’ve had a great relationship with Coach 2J since they offered me in August. He’s been texting me basically every single day, multiple times a day.
How do you think NC State might be a good fit for you?
I feel like I could fit in there because the depth chart is appealing and I can have the opportunity to play early. They have an explosive offense and keep getting top-tier Recruits. They also have a top ranked defense.
What were your favorite parts?
I’d say my favorite parts were just really getting to hang out with the people at dinner and just getting to know a little bit more about the commits and recruits.
Who was your host?
Zeke Correll
What are your thoughts on where NC State’s at, and where they are headed?
I feel very great about the program. They have a Top 25 defense and a very explosive offense. They keep bringing in top guys and don’t go too deep into the portal.
Where does NC State stand in your recruitment? What do you like about the Wolfpack?
I’d say they sit pretty high in my recruitment. I just like the way they treat their top guys and make you feel like a priority.
When do you plan on making your college decision?
July 18th.
What’s your relationship like with the current players and some of the other players they are recruiting?
I’d say with the current players I’m getting to know them a little bit more, like Zeke Carroll and I got to meet (Jacarrius) Peak. When it comes to recruits, me and (Michael) Gibbs talk every day, and I’ll talk to Gus (Ritchey) and Will (Wilson) periodically.
What is it that you like the way Coach 2J coaches the O-Line?
I like his approach. He’s there to coach you hard, but he also loves you and he makes that known.
_______
A month ago, Sowells Jr. released his Top-5, and NC State was included along with Kentucky, South Carolina, Miami and Louisville. He has taken Official Visits to South Carolina, Miami and Kentucky.
ESPN ranks Sowells Jr. as the #3 Center in the nation, and the #4 player overall in the state of Kentucky.
As a Junior last year, he had 85 Knockdowns for Louisville Male High School (Louisville, KY).
Illinois
Illinois 88, Purdue 82: Postgame Video
It was the Keaton Wegler show in Mackey Arena.
This is one that stings because Purdue’s defense was completely out of sorts, but the Boilers were still in control up 4 at the final media timeout. For the second straight game an individual player completely disrupted anything Purdue tried to do defensveily and he either scored or dished off at key moments into wide open threes. The consecutive threes from Tomislav Ivisic, Jake Davis, and David Mirkovic quickly erased the lead Purdue had and proved to be the difference in the end.
Some thoughts before postgame video.
Oscar Cluff, Braden Smith, & Trey Kaufman-Renn
Illinois
Central Illinois congressman enraged after fed agent kills Minneapolis protester
(25News Now and AP) – Illinois Democrats, including a congressman representing parts of Central Illinois, expressed their fury Saturday after a U.S. Border Patrol officer in Minneapolis shot and killed a man.
The lawmakers said they support cutting off funding for U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations.
“What happened this morning was murder, and I demand that it be called that,” said U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen (D-Moline) in a 1:23 video he posted on his Facebook page.
“Every elected leader, Democrats and Republicans, I am waiting to hear meaningful words from every one of you,” said Sorensen. It is also essential that the senate push back on this blatant assault on the Constitution and the rights of Americans.“
Sorensen said the Trump administration, Homeland Security and ICE are “absolutely out of control.”
“It’s more about being on the right side of history that it is being in any political party,” said Sorensen. I will continue to use my power to force the administration to abide by the Constitution and its laws.”
25News has reached out to the other congressman representing Central Illinois, U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Dunlap) for comment.
Illinois’ two Democratic senators indicated Saturday they favor cutting off funding for DHS and ICE.
“I will not vote to fund the illegal DHS and ICE operations that terrorize Chicago, Minneapolis, and many other communities,” said U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL). “The deaths of innocent Americans and the detaining of thousands of innocent people are a national disgrace.”
Durbin also said DHS Secretary Kristi Noem refuses to appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee “to account for her stewardship over this reign of terror.”
“I will not reward her arrogance and lawlessness with my vote,” Durbin said.
U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) also released a statement Saturday, calling for Congress to abolish ICE.
“Stop the funding, stop the occupations, stop the killings,” said Duckworth. “I am asking my fellow Republican and Democratic governors across the nation to have a unified response. We must all stand against the lawlessness being inflicted in our states.”
The shooting happened amid widespread daily protests in the Minneapolis area since the Jan. 7 shooting of 37-year-old Renee Good, who was killed when an ICE officer fired into her vehicle. Saturday’s shooting unfolded just over a mile away from where Good was shot.
You can watch 25News – any newscast, anywhere – streaming LIVE on 25NewsNow.com, our 25News mobile app, and on our WEEK 25News SmartTV streaming app. Learn more about how you can get connected to 25News streaming live news here.
Copyright 2026 WEEK. All rights reserved.
Illinois
Wagler scores 46 points to lead No. 11 Illinois to an 88-82 victory over No. 4 Purdue
Keaton Wagler scored a career-high 46 points, making nine 3-pointers, as No. 11 Illinois beat No. 4 Purdue 88-82 on Saturday.
Wagler, a freshman guard, shot 13 for 17 overall, 9 of 11 from 3-point range and 11 of 13 on free throws. David Mirkovic added 12 points and eight rebounds for the Illini (17-3, 8-1 Big Ten).
Braden Smith led the Boilermakers (17-3, 7-2) with 27 points and 12 assists. Trey Kaufman-Renn added 12 points for Purdue, which lost its second consecutive game.
The Illini hit 18 of 38 3-pointers while Purdue was 7 of 19.
Wagler had 24 of the Illini’s 39 first-half points, including the first 14.
Smith’s 3-pointer cut Illinois’ lead to 82-80 with 45 seconds left. Wagler answered with a jumper with 18 seconds left, and after Smith made two from the line to again make it a two-point game, Wagler hit two to make it 86-82 with 9.3 seconds left. Purdue then turned the ball over.
Purdue shot 63% percent in the opening half compared to 43% for Illinois. However, the Illini countered that by hitting 9 of 21 3-pointers while the Boilermakers were 3 of 8 on 3-point shots.
Illinois played without reserve center Jason Jakstys, who was out with an injury. Illini coach Brad Underwood previously announced guard Kyle Boswell., who averages 14.3 points, will be out at least a month with a fracture bone in his right hand.
Up next
Illinois: Hosts Washington on Thursday.
Purdue: At Indiana on Tuesday.
-
Sports1 week agoMiami’s Carson Beck turns heads with stunning admission about attending classes as college athlete
-
Illinois4 days agoIllinois school closings tomorrow: How to check if your school is closed due to extreme cold
-
Pittsburg, PA7 days agoSean McDermott Should Be Steelers Next Head Coach
-
Politics1 week agoNoem names Charles Wall ICE deputy director following Sheahan resignation
-
Lifestyle7 days agoNick Fuentes & Andrew Tate Party to Kanye’s Banned ‘Heil Hitler’
-
Culture1 week agoWhat Kind of Lover Are You? This William Blake Poem Might Have the Answer.
-
Technology1 week agoCasting is dead. Long live casting!
-
News1 week agoVideo: Video Analysis of ICE Shooting Sheds Light on Contested Moments