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Illinois Basketball: Illini Non-Conference Predictions

By Rees Woodcock

Oct 13, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach John Groce speaks with the media during Big Ten media day at the Marriott Washington Wardman Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 13, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach John Groce speaks with the media during Big Ten media day at the Marriott Washington Wardman Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 9, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini coach John Groce coaches on the sidelines in a game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the Big Ten Conference tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini coach John Groce coaches on the sidelines in a game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the Big Ten Conference tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

Central Michigan (W 73-51)

Another average team from last season is the Central Michigan Chippewas.  They were 17-16 overall with an away record of 4-8.

This game will be played at the State Farm Center, so that gives an advantage to the Illini.

Illinois also has another advantage.  They won’t be playing against Central Michigan’s leading scorer from last season.

Chris Fowler led the Chippewas in scoring last season with 16.5 PPG and he also added in 5.8 APG and 4 RPG.  He was an all-around player that they will be missing.

Central Michigan does return the second leading scorer in Braylon Rayson, though.  He averaged 16.3 PPG last season.

This Central Michigan team wasn’t good last season and they lost their best player.  I see Illinois winning easily, 73-51.

BYU (W 77-71)

Illinois is in for another tough test as the come down the homestretch of the non-conference schedule.  Their second to last game is against the BYU Cougars.

BYU had a great season last year.  They finished 26-11 and made the NIT Championship Game.  That is an impressive feat considering the field.

This game will be held in Chicago for the State Farm Chicago Legends Series.  That is an advantage for the Illini.

Another big advantage the Illini have is the fact BYU isn’t returning two of their top three leading scorers.

Chase Fischer lead the Cougars last season with 18.2 PPG and Kyle Collinsworth was third on the team with 15.3 PPG.  He also led the team in rebounds with 8.2 RPG.

That is a lot for BYU to replace and I don’t think they will be able to.  Illinois will take advantage of the missing players and will win this game in 77-71.

Missouri (W 78-59)

The final game of the non-conference slate is the annual Braggin’ Rights game.  This seems to be a great game year in and year out no matter the records.

Missouri was a bad team last season and finished the year 10-21.  Despite how bad they were, the Braggin’ Rights game last season was only a 68-63 loss to the Illini.

From that bad Tigers team, they are losing their leading scorer Kevin Puryear.  He averaged 11.5 PPG and 4.6 RPG.

That hurts Missouri because they will need all the firepower they can get.

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I think this Braggin’ Rights game will be close to start because of the adrenalin.  But, because Illinois has more talent and is deeper, they come out in the second half and pull away 78-59.

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