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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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Mar 16, 2023; Des Moines, IA, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Luke Goode (10) shoots the ball as Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Eric Musselman reacts during the first half at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /

Illinois 71 vs Maryland 69 – Sunday, January 14, 2024

There was only one matchup between these two teams in 2022-23, and Maryland got the best of Illinois in that game. They won by five points in College Park. The Terrapins, who advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament, should have a good team this season too. I think this is a really close game in round one with Illinois likely taking it.

  • Illinois record – 14-2

Illinois 88 at Michigan 70 (Ann Arbor, Michigan) – Thursday, January 18, 2024

I just don’t think Michigan is a very good basketball team. They floundered to 17 wins last season, and that was with an All-American caliber center in Hunter Dickinson. He is now with Kansas, so the Wolverines are going to struggle in 2023-24. Illinois also beat Michigan last season. I see this being another Illini win.

  • Illinois record – 15-2

Illinois 80 vs Rutgers 68 – Sunday, January 21, 2024

I have Illinois taking the first game of two against Rutgers on the road. I don’t see this game changing much when the Scarlet Knights come to town in late January. Rutgers just doesn’t have the firepower this season to compete with the Illini. They are going to be good in the next year or say because of recruiting, but I see Rutgers being below average in 2023-24.

  • Illinois record – 16-2

Illinois 66 at Northwestern 71 (Evanston, Illinois) – Wednesday, January 24, 2024

In the first game, I have Illinois winning by eight points when the game is played in Champaign. I think Northwestern is going to be a legit Big Ten team this season that can win a decent number of games. It will be tough going up to Evanston and winning. This rivalry game will get intense, and I could see the Wildcats, with all of the talent they have coming back, knocking off Illinois.

  • Illinois record – 16-3

Illinois 84 vs Indiana 69 – Saturday, January 27, 2024

Illinois only gets one chance at Indiana this season. The Hoosiers had a decent team in 2022-23, but their top guys are gone from that squad. Now they will rely on some talented freshmen and a solid transfer in Kel’el Ware. While Ware is good, they are going to need more firepower than that. I think Illinois takes this game with talent and homecourt advantage on our side.

  • Illinois record – 17-3
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