Illinois Hosts Nebraska in a Ranked Showdown at State Farm Center

Illinois will host Nebraska in a highly anticipated ranked showdown at the State Farm Center this Saturday. This matchup features No. 13 Illinois going up against No. 23 Nebraska in an early season Big Ten clash.

Game Overview

The Fighting Illini enter the game with an 8-2 record, while the Cornhuskers boast an undefeated 10-0. This matchup marks Illinois’ first home game in nearly three weeks, following their recent victory against Ohio State.

Recent Performance

Illinois has excelled at home this season, winning all six of their games at the State Farm Center, with an average winning margin of +30.0 points. They aim to extend their eight-game home winning streak, dating back to last season.

Current Rankings

As of this week, Illinois is ranked No. 13 in both the AP Top 25 and the coaches’ poll. They have been a consistent presence in the AP Top 25 over the last seven seasons under head coach Brad Underwood.

• Illinois reached as high as No. 8 in the rankings on November 17.
• Illinois is currently ranked No. 12 in the NCAA NET rankings.

Key Players

Illinois features several players in strong form, with five averaging over 10 points per game. Leading the pack is senior guard Kylan Boswell, averaging 15.7 points, along with Andrej Stojakovic (15.1), Keaton Wagler (14.7), David Mirkovic (14.6), and Tomislav Ivisic (11.0). This offensive depth is tied for the most in the nation.

Notable Statistics

The Fighting Illini’s impressive statistics this season include:

• 88.6 points per game, on pace to be among the highest in program history.
• 42.4 rebounds per game, ranking in the top 20 nationally.
• A free-throw percentage of 78.9%, 11th best in the NCAA.

Series History

The Illini lead the all-time series against Nebraska 23-9, including a dominant 15-2 record in games played in Champaign. Their longest winning streak against the Cornhuskers spanned nine games, ending with an overtime loss in Lincoln last season.

Upcoming Schedule

Following the matchup against Nebraska, Illinois will continue with their non-conference schedule against Missouri on December 22, before resuming Big Ten action on January 3 against Penn State.

This showdown at State Farm Center promises to be an exciting battle as both teams look to improve their standing in the competitive Big Ten landscape. As Illinois strives for victory, the game also serves as another opportunity to solidify their position among the top teams in college basketball.