Illinois basketball 2024-25 season game-by-game prediction

• Illinois basketball vs. Little Rock (W – 87-55)

The Illini should continue tearing up these bad teams as they prepare for the tough non-conference competition. Little Rock didn’t have a bad year in 2023-24, as they finished with 21 wins overall, but they did lose some key pieces. Second-leading scorer Jamir Chaplin graduated, and third-leading scorer Deantoni Gordon departed for Southern Miss. Illinois should be able to handle a depleted Little Rock squad.

• Illinois basketball vs. #16 Arkansas (Thanksgiving Hoops Showcase in Kansas City) (W – 79-74)

This is another tough non-conference game for the Illinois basketball program. Arkansas didn’t get to .500 last season, but they completely revamped their program. John Calipari is now the head coach, and he brought a new team to the table.

Arkansas’ top two scorers are now with different programs. Five four-star players transferred in, three of which were from Kentucky. Johnell Davis of the Cinderella FAU program a couple of years back was also a part of the transfer squad. Three four-star recruits who were all top 30 players in the class of 2024 are also joining the Razorbacks. It is going to take a minute for Arkansas to gel, but they should be a good team in 2024-25. I think this game could be pretty close, as both teams have a similar construct. I am going to give this one to the Illini in one of the most entertaining offseason games in recent memory.

• Illinois basketball at Northwestern (W – 75-61)

Illinois’ first Big Ten game of the season is on the road against Northwestern. The Wildcats lost some key talent this offseason. Boo Buie, after 75 years of being with the program, is finally gone. He is joined by Ryan Langborg as two of the top three scorers on the team from last season. With those key departures, I think Northwestern will struggle this season. Give Illinois the victory to open the Big Ten season.

• Illinois basketball vs. Wisconsin (W – 70-53)

Do you want to see a team that is about to take a major step backward? Look no further than the Wisconsin Badgers. They won 22 games last season, but I would be surprised if they get to .500 in 2024-25. Wisconsin lost three of their top five scorers including leading scorer AJ Storr. Tyler Wahl is gone, and he was the third-leading scorer and was second in rebounds. Chucky Hepburn also departed, and he led Wisconsin in assists. This could be a season of struggles for the Badgers.

• Illinois basketball vs. #12 Tennessee (W – 81-70)

Last season, Illinois nearly knocked off a good Tennessee team on the road after being on a road trip for over a week. That Vols team lost some serious talent, though. Dalton Knecht is now in the NBA. Jonas Aidoo is now with Arkansas. Josiah-Jordan James departed via graduation. That is three out of the top four scorers.

Tennessee’s offseason was a bit lackluster too. They added some good pieces in the frontcourt like transfer Felix Okpara from Ohio State, but none of the transfers blew me away. The Vols only brought in one freshman, and he is barely a top-100 recruit. I see Tennessee taking a step backward in 2024-25. Illinois’ talent from top to bottom should be able to suffocate the Vols.

• Illinois record – 9-1 (2-0 Big Ten)