Nick Shepkowski

Nick Shepkowski

Joined: Oct 1, 2024

Managing Editor for Notre Dame On SI. Started covering Chicago sports teams for WSCR the Score, and over the years worked with CBS Radio, Audacy, NBC Sports, and FOX Sports as a contributor before running the Notre Dame wire site for USA TODAY.

NFL legend Tom Brady is all smiles before an NFL football game at Huntington Bank Field, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, in Cleveland, Ohio.

Feb 1, 2026; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood walks onto the court before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Sep 6, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema during the third quarter against the Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium.

Aug 29, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Gabe Jacas (17) jumps on teammate Illinois Fighting Illini defensive lineman Eli Coenen (96) after a sack on Western Illinois Leathernecks quarterback Chris Irvin (5) during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Mar 23, 2025; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope reacts during the second half in the second round of the NCAA Tournament against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Fiserv Forum.

Basketball

Kentucky coach Mark Pope was among the first to embrace Illinois star Will Riley after the second-round game. He quickly praised the former Kentucky recruiting target as well.

Mar 21, 2025; Milwaukee, WI, USA: Illinois Fighting Illini forward Will Riley (7) gestures during the second half against the Xavier Musketeers at Fiserv Forum.

Basketball

Right when Xavier looked set to make it a one-point game against Illinois, freshman star Will Riley began an all-time second half performance.

Mar 7, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts to a call with his assistants during the second half against the Purdue Boilermakers at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Basketball

The Illini enter the Big Ten Tournament after a strong close to the regular season

Feb 22, 2025; New York, NY, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Cooper Flagg (2) drives past Illinois Fighting Illini forward Ben Humrichous (3) in the first half at Madison Square Garden.

Basketball

Illinois set the wrong kind of team records on Saturday night in New York City

Apr 2, 2022; New Orleans, LA, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Krzyzewski speaks in a press conference after the game against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the 2022 NCAA men's basketball tournament Final Four semifinals at Caesars Superdome.

Basketball

Believe it or not, Illinois holds a unique place in the history of Duke basketball

Sep 14, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema on the sidelines during the second half against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Memorial Stadium.

Football

Could Illinois recruiting a player for two sports help its case to land one of the nation's best baseball players in the 2026 recruiting class?

Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) points to one of his blockers as he runs with the ball in the second quarter of a Big Ten football game against Penn State, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in State College, Pa.

Football

The Week 6 Big Ten football schedule, betting information, ESPN FPI odds, and predictions

Mar 23, 2024; Omaha, NE, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts during the first half against the Duquesne Dukes in the second round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at CHI Health Center Omaha.

Basketball

Illinois head basketball coach Brad Underwood detailed the challenging events his family went through after he left Oklahoma State for Champaign.