MBB Big Ten Preview: Illinois Fighting Illini

Hey, y’all! I will be joining adamh86 this year in the journey to preview the Ducks upcoming Big Ten opponents, and today we’ll be kicking things off with the University of Illinois Fighting Illini! So, without further ado, let’s get to it.

The Illini finished the 2024-2025 season with a 22-13 record (12-8 in conference). Arguably their most notable game in the Big Ten last year is, unfortunately, beating the ever-loving snot out of Oregon 109-77 in Eugene to kick off 2025. That was a rough one to watch. But later in the season they would go on to knock off UCLA, MIchigan and Purdue as well, all of whom would finish in the top 6 in the Big Ten.

Illinois would wind up making it to the NCAA tournament as a 6 seed, winning their first matchup against Xavier (and former Arizona HC Sean Miller, which is only relevant because I still despise the man from his time in Tuscon) fairly easily, 86-73, but would end up falling to #3 seed Kentucky by a score of 84-75.

The Illini are losing a solid chunk of their roster from last season, with 5 players deciding to transfer out, and two entering the NBA draft. Among those leaving are Kasparas Jukacionis, Illinois’ starting PG and leader in both scoring and assists, who is projected to be a lottery selection in the upcoming NBA draft. Replacing his output will be the top goal for Illini HC Brad Underwood moving forward.

One way they might look to supplement that offensive production is through incoming transfer Andrej Stojaković (son of three-time all-star and NBA champion Peja Stojaković), a 6’7” guard who averaged an impressive 17.9 points per game for the Cal Bears last season. They will also be getting a little more size in their front court, adding Zvonimir Ivišić (twin brother of Illini starting center Tomislav Ivišić), a 7’2” center from Arkansas.

The Ducks will be going to Champaign, IL, this season, though they have not revealed when that matchup will be taking place. All I know is that, under no circumstances, should we allow them to run us out of the gym like our previous matchup. That was just plain embarrassing.

As always, ‘Sco Ducks.