No matter the opponent, the Big Ten is always tough and Illinois basketball knows this fact.
The Illini have struggled at times against Penn State the last few years. For some reason, regardless of record, the Nittany Lions have given us a fight.
Penn State has a big-time guard ready to take down a ranked team. This program has played No. 9 Michigan State tough, and they are ready to notch a monumental win for their 2025-26 season. But Illinois can’t let that happen. There are some big questions that need to be answered throughout the game.
Here are three key questions for the Illinois basketball team against Penn State
1. Will Penn State’s guard size give Keaton Wagler trouble?
The story for the Illinois basketball team this season has been Keaton Wagler. A high school recruit with two power-four offers has been the best player on a top-25 Illinois squad.
A massive advantage he has over a lot of his opponents is the fact that he is a No. 2 guard and is 6-foot-6. He is essentially the same size as Michael Jordan.
Will Wagler run into a Penn State team that could reduce his production, though? Wagler is averaging 15.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game, but on Saturday, he is going up against a couple of guards who are both 6-foot-5.
That size might give Wagler some trouble. He can usually elevate over defenders, and that is a reason he is shooting 42.2% from three-point range this season, too. But I am not sure of the advantage he has against Penn State. This is something to keep an eye on.
2. Can Illinois exploit the size advantage over Penn State?
Speaking of size, Illinois is coming into the game on Saturday with a massive size advantage, per usual. While Wagler might now be overpowering on the wing, the Illini frontcourt should be able to hold their own.
In fact, Penn State is one of the worst teams in the country when it comes to rebounding the basketball. They average 30.6 rebounds per game, which ranks No. 333 out of 365 programs in DI.
Penn State’s 6-foot-3 freshman sensation guard Kayden Mingo leads the team with 4.1 rebounds per game. That is never good. Meanwhile, Illinois has six players who average more than the Nittany Lions’ top rebounder.
I think this could be a bloodbath on the boards. Does Illinois take advantage of the massive rebounding ability disparity, or do we sleepwalk through this game?
3. Does Kylan Boswell keep Kayden Mingo quiet?
The biggest matchup of the night is going to be so interesting to watch. Mingo for Penn State has been on a tear this season, and he is the only thing that I am scared of on their roster.
Mingo can do everything for the Nittany Lions, averaging 14.8 points, 4.5 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.4 steals per game. He leads Penn State in all of those statistical categories.
I believe Illinois will put Kylan Boswell on Mingo to start the game. Boswell and his wily veteran defense is going to be a tough matchup for Mingo. This will be a compelling matchup between a young freshman with a ton of energy and a veteran in Boswell who has a ton of intuition.
Can Boswell’s defense win out and slow Mingo down to a quiet night? Mingo has only had two games under 11 points this season. Holding him to single-digits again would mean Illinois wins this game by 30 or more points.