Fighting Illini Host Colgate for Friday Night Showdown at State Farm Center
On Friday night, the No. 14 Fighting Illini will take on the Colgate Raiders at 8 p.m. CT at the State Farm Center. This matchup marks the conclusion of a four-game homestand for Illinois, and they enter the contest with a perfect 3-0 record this season. The Illini recently triumphed over No. 11 Texas Tech, winning 81-77.
Current Form and Key Players
Illinois boasts a winning streak of five games at home and is aiming to extend this run against Colgate, which has a record of 1-2. Under the guidance of head coach Brad Underwood, Illinois has achieved 32 consecutive nonconference home wins against unranked teams.
- Key Contributors:
- Kylan Boswell – 21.0 PPG, recently scored 22 points against Texas Tech.
- Andrej Stojakovic – 16.0 PPG, tallied 23 points in his last game.
- David Mirkovic – Averaging 15.7 PPG and was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week.
- Recent Performance:
- Illinois has an average scoring of 102.3 points per game over their first three contests.
- The squad has hit over 100 points in back-to-back games against Jackson State and Florida Gulf Coast.
Series History
Illinois holds a 5-0 advantage in the all-time series against Colgate. The last encounter was on December 17, 2023, where the Illini claimed a 74-57 victory at home. Notably, this will be the sixth meeting between the two programs.
Head coach Brad Underwood remains undefeated against Colgate, with a 1-0 record. The Illini’s consistent performance at home has set the stage for a formidable challenge for Colgate.
Upcoming Schedule and Expectations
Following the game against Colgate, Illinois will face three tough matchups against ranked opponents. The Illini’s nonconference schedule includes games against:
- #8 Alabama (November 19, United Center, Chicago)
- #2 UConn (November 28, Madison Square Garden, New York)
- #20 Tennessee (December 6, Bridgestone Arena, Nashville)
Coach Underwood’s team is anticipated to perform well, having returned three starters from last year’s successful campaign that saw them advance to the NCAA Round of 32.
Watching the Game
Fans not attending the game can watch the Fighting Illini vs. Colgate via B1G+, the Big Ten Network’s streaming service. Subscriptions are available for an annual fee of $89.99 or a monthly fee of $12.99.
As Illinois prepares to host Colgate, they aim to solidify their winning momentum and further establish their reputation as a powerhouse in college basketball.
