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Illinois Basketball: Game-by-game prediction of the 2023-24 Illini season

By Rees Woodcock

Oct 10, 2023; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood speaks to the media during the Big Ten basketball media days at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2023; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood speaks to the media during the Big Ten basketball media days at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Illinois Fighting Illini guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (0) drives to the basket during the NCAA men’s basketball game against the Purdue Boilermakers, Sunday, March 5, 2023, at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Ind. The Purdue Boilermakers won 76-71. /

Illinois 77 vs Missouri 67 (St. Louis, Missouri) – Friday, December 22, 2023

Missouri played well last season and managed to get into the NCAA tournament and won a game. They also beat Illinois in the Braggin’ Rights game, 93-71. It was embarrassing. I think the Tigers are about to take a huge step backward, though. They lost their top four players from the roster in 2022-23, and this will hurt their chances of being good this season. With so much talent and experience, I think Illinois serves up some revenge in this huge game.

  • Illinois record – 10-1

Illinois 92 vs Fairleigh Dickinson 65 – Friday, December 29, 2023

Just before the new year begins, Illinois gets to play a giant killer. While some Illinois fans might remember Fairleigh Dickinson as the team we beat in the first round of the NCAA tournament in 2005, this team most recently is remembered for knocking off No. 1 seed Purdue as a No. 16 seed last year. I believe this was a one shining moment game because this is an average to below-average Knights team. I think Illinois easily defeats Fairleigh Dickinson.

  • Illinois record – 11-1

Illinois 69 vs Northwestern 61 – Tuesday, January 2, 2024

I think the Wildcats have a decent team this season. They return superstar Boo Buie, and in 2022-23, these two teams split the series. Northwestern also won an NCAA tournament game, which is crazy to see. Since this game is going to be in Champaign, I think Illinois takes the first of two matchups between the two in-state rivals.

  • Illinois record – 12-1

Illinois 64 at #3 Purdue 68 (West Lafayette, Indiana) – Friday, January 5, 2024

The Illini have a tough little stretch after the Northwestern game. We head to West Lafayette to take on a top-five Purdue squad. In the lone matchup last season, the Illini also tripped to West Lafayette but only lost by five points. I think this is another great game, but Zach Edey might be too much to handle for Illinois in the paint.

  • Illinois record – 12-2

Illinois 74 vs #4 Michigan State 69 – Thursday, January 11, 2024

Illinois finally gets a tough matchup against a top program at home. No. 4 Michigan State comes to Champaign on January 11 in watch should be a game of top-15 teams in the country. Illinois won by nine points the only time these two teams played last season, and the game was also in Champaign. I believe both teams are better, but Illinois’ experience will win the day at home.

  • Illinois record – 13-2
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