No. 13 Illinois will face Minnesota on Saturday at the State Farm Center in Champaign. The Fighting Illini are currently on a season-best six-game win streak and are looking for their first seven-game streak since March 2024.
As of now, Illinois holds a record of 14-3, their best start since the 2012-13 season. A victory against Minnesota would mark only the second time in the Brad Underwood era that the team achieves a 6-1 record in Big Ten play.
Recent Performance
Illinois is strong on the road this season, posting a 6-2 away record. They have won four true road games, with their most recent success coming from a 79-68 victory over Northwestern. This achievement makes them undefeated away in Big Ten play so far, a feat they haven’t accomplished since the 2004-05 season.
Key Players
Several players are making significant contributions to the team’s success. Here are the top performers:
- Keaton Wagler: Averaging 16.1 points per game, he’s on track to break the Illinois freshman scoring record.
- Kylan Boswell: The team’s active career leader with 1,186 points.
- Andrej Stojakovic: Close to the 1,000 career points milestone with 993 points.
- David Mirkovic: Averaging 12.0 points and 8.4 rebounds per game, he has also recorded a 20-point, 20-rebound game.
Statistical Highlights
Illinois ranks first nationally with seven players averaging at least four rebounds per game. Additionally, they lead the NCAA with an impressive free-throw percentage of 80.2%. With an average of 85.6 points per game, the Illini are ranked third in the Big Ten.
Historical Matchup
This game against Minnesota marks the 200th encounter between the two teams. Illinois currently leads the series 131-68 and has an impressive 76-19 home record against the Gophers. The Illini have won their last eight matchups, creating their longest winning streak against Minnesota.
Coaching and Rankings
Head coach Brad Underwood boasts a career record of 288-131, with 179 wins at Illinois. The Illini are currently rated ninth in the NCAA NET rankings and are on track to face as many as ten ranked teams this season.
This matchup is critical for Illinois as they aim to solidify their position in the national rankings. Fans can expect an exciting game this Saturday at the State Farm Center as the Illini strive to extend their successful run against Minnesota.
