Illinois Basketball: Predictions for the Illini Big Ten Conference Schedule

The Illinois basketball conference schedule was released yesterday and some fans are thinking it could be pretty tough.

Let’s just make this clear, of course, the schedule will be tough. Illinois plays in the Big Ten and even when the conference is “down” it is still the best in the nation.

Here is a quick breakdown of what I think will happen with the Illini this season.

@ Maryland L

Any road game in the Big Ten is tough especially against a good team like Maryland. They have Melo Trimble returning, but they did lose a handful of players to the NBA Draft.

I think Illinois comes down from the high of a great start in the non-conference. I have Maryland winning at home.

Ohio State W

Marc Loving is returning for the Buckeyes alongside JaQuan Lyle and Keita Bates-Diop. This is a stout team that added Micah Potter to the mix.

Illinois Fighting Illini /

Illinois Fighting Illini

I think Illinois rebounds nicely against Ohio State and wins their first Big Ten game.

@ Indiana L

As much as it pains me, I think Illinois will probably lose on the road to the Hoosiers. Indiana has a good team coming back and they should be tough.

Thomas Bryant and James Blackmon will both probably take a step forward in their progression and that could be too tough for a team to beat on the road.

Michigan W

Michigan has some nice pieces returning from last season. I expect Derrick Walton and Zak Irvin to really shine this year

The Wolverines come into Champaign and will fall to the Illini. Illinois has too many bodies for this Michigan team.

Maryland W

Illinois drops the first game at Maryland but then the Terrapins come to Champaign less than a month later.

By this time Illinois is coming off winning two out of their last three and take down Maryland.

@ Purdue W

This is another win for Illinois. Purdue has a nice cast returning with Caleb Swanigan leading the way, but they still lack the outside presence.

Illinois will shoot the Boilermakers right out of the building.

@ Michigan L

It is hard to beat a good team twice in a season. This one will be a struggle for the Illini.

Illinois will head to Michigan and probably lose because the Wolverines have a good team that is experienced.

Iowa W

The Hawkeyes lost a lot of talent from the year before, but they did return Peter Jok. He is going to be a great player for Iowa this season.

Even with the addition of freshman Tyler Cook, the Illini will best a pretty good Iowa team at home.

@ Penn State W

Penn State is probably going to be as average as last season. They finished 16-16 on the year and lost their leading scorer.

Illinois won their only contest at Penn State last season and the Illini were undermanned. I see a win for Illinois here.

Wisconsin L

The first game against Wisconsin is going to be the first home loss of the Big Ten season for Illinois.

Wisconsin is returning so much firepower in Bronson Koenig, Ethan Happ, and Nigel Hayes. They are a scary team this season.

Minnesota W

This game is pretty simple. A terrible Minnesota team is going to be really bad again and this game is in Champaign.

Illinois wins this one pretty easily.

@ Northwestern W

Northwestern probably has one of the best teams in program history this season. They return players like Bryant McIntosh and Vic Law.

Despite the solid returning players, I see Illinois winning this game. The Illini only lost by two in Evanston last season and that was with a depleted roster.

Penn State W

Penn State plays their second game against the Illini at the State Farm Center.

This game is going to be worse than the first contest. Illinois wins this one easily and moves onto the home stretch of the conference schedule.

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@ Iowa L

It is always tough to win at Iowa. They have a home-court that proves to be a difficult place to play.

I see Illinois playing the Hawkeyes tough but getting beat in Iowa City.

Northwestern W

Illinois only played one game against Northwestern last season and that was a two-point loss in Evanston.

This game is at home so I expect Illinois to win by double-digits over this pretty good Wildcats team.

@ Nebraska L

Nebraska is a much-underrated team this season. They return some pretty good talent like Glynn Watson Jr. and Ed Morrow.

I see Illinois going into Nebraska and playing them tough but coming out with a loss.

Michigan State W

Tom Izzo is one of the best coaches in the Big Ten. He will have Michigan State clicking when they come to Champaign.

I think Illinois will need a signature win to lock themselves in as a single-digit seed in the NCAA Tournament. This is that win they would need.

@ Rutgers W

Rutgers is not a good team. Illinois is a much better team than the Scarlet Knights.

I don’t think this game is close because Illinois has way too much firepower for Rutgers.

Next: 3 Areas Trent Frazier Will Improve the Illini

I have the win-loss total coming to 12-6 for the Illini in the Big Ten. This would be a great record and I actually expect something similar to this for 2016.

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