Zain Brando

Zain Bando

Joined: Jul 26, 2024

Bando is a sports journalist based in the Chicago suburbs. He is a proud Fighting Illini (undergrad alumnus) and completed his Master of Science in Journalism at Northwestern's Medill School, focusing on Sports Media. He’s been covering combat sports since June 2019 and collegiate sports since May 2020, featured in The Sporting News, MMA Knockout On SI, Kansas State On SI, BJPenn.com, Field Level Media, SB Nation's Inside NU, MSN, Yardbarker, Deadspin, Reuters, Mike Farrell Sports, NewsNet Media, FanSided, Men's Journal. Hosts a podcast called Bando’s Breakdowns, which premieres weekly at 3 p.m. ET/noon PT Wednesdays on the Empty The Bench Podcast Network

Oct 12, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema celebrates a 50-49 win over the Purdue Boilermakers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Dec 31, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; The Illinois Fighting Illini huddle up before the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Reper-Imagn Images

Aug 03, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots director of skill development Joe Kim looks on during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images

Dec 27, 2022; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Wisconsin Badgers defensive end James Thompson Jr. (90) against the Oklahoma State Cowboys during the 2022 Guaranteed Rate Bowl at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Oct 19, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers wide receiver Hudson Clement (3) celebrates after catching a pass for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Kansas State Wildcats at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images

Football

Hudson Clement was joined by brother Murphy Clement in Champaign, where, he says, "it felt like I fit."

The Illini flags are run across the field at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, during Illinois' 21-17 win over South Carolina in the Citrus Bowl on Dec. 31, 2024.

Football

Kante – from Iowa Central CC by way of Minnesota and West Africa – is ready to make hay in his new home

Sep 14, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Ball State Cardinals wide receiver Justin Bowick (1) runs with the football against the Miami Hurricanes during the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Football

Bowick, a Ball State transfer, already has familiarity with one member of the Illini staff – his former coach Mike Neu

Jul 26, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema speaks to the media during Big 10 football media days at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

Football

A linebacker from West Chester Township, Ohio, Thomas becomes the Illini's eighth 2026 commitment

Middletown football player Tomiwa Durojaiye smiles after putting on his University of Kentucky hat during his signing ceremony Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021.

Sports Middletown Signings

Football

Durojaiye, a transfer, said Monday that he has finally found the right environment in Illinois' football program

Dec 27, 2022; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Wisconsin Badgers nose tackle Curt Neal (92) against the Oklahoma State Cowboys during the 2022 Guaranteed Rate Bowl at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Football

Curt Neal said he and several former Wisconsin teammates decided it would be "amazing" to rejoin in Champaign

Oct 19, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema leads his team into the stadium before kickoff against the Michigan Wolverines game at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Football

Bret Bielema and the Illini added another quality piece to what is shaping up as a loaded 2025 defense

Oct 12, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Zakhari Franklin (4) scores a touchdown in the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Football

Franklin became the latest Illinois standout from the 2024 Citrus Bowl team to turn pro

Sep 21, 2024; DeKalb, Illinois, USA; Northern Illinois Huskies quarterback Ethan Hampton (2) drops back to pass against the Buffalo Bulls during the second half at Huskie Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images

NIU-turned-Illinois quarterback Ethan Hampton moved to Champaign for several reasons, but one stands out

Oct 19, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Ball State Cardinals head coach Mike Neu paces the sidelines against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second half at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Mike Neu arrives in Champaign after nine seasons as the head man at Ball State

Nov 23, 2024; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema looks on during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

The Illini added an in-state commitment – the program's sixth pledge overall in its class of 2026

Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) celebrates an interception against Los Angeles Rams during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, September 8, 2024.

Bringing his ballhawking style to the NFL, the former Illinois safety helped lead Detroit to an NFC North title