The college basketball season is officially heating up, and today’s episode of Sports IQ with Larry Smith dives straight into the heart of it.

Larry is joined by Brian Barnhart, the longtime voice of Illinois basketball, to preview one of the Big Ten’s biggest matchups of the season as the red-hot Illini head to Mackey Arena to face Purdue. With Illinois riding an eight-game win streak and dealing with key injuries, Barnhart breaks down what’s changed defensively, why this team is deeper than ever, and how they match up against the Boilermakers.

Later, Kevin Brockway of The Gainesville Sun joins the show to analyze the defending national champion Florida Gators, who have surged back into SEC contention after a rocky start. Brockway explains what clicked for Florida, how chemistry and experience are driving their recent run, and what lies ahead in a loaded SEC race — plus a look at major changes surrounding Gators football under new head coach John Summerall.

The episode also hits major headlines across sports, including:

• Nebraska’s stunning rise to the top of the Big Ten

• Ongoing NIL and legal battles reshaping college athletics

• NBA and NFL updates

• And a special Moment of Awe honoring Kobe Bryant’s iconic 81-point performance, one of the greatest individual nights in basketball history

Smart analysis, strong opinions, and the stories that matter — this is Sports IQ with Larry Smith.