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

In hours, the Illinois basketball team will suit up for the first game of the 2024-25 season and it should be a good one.

By Rees Woodcock

Illinois v Connecticut
Illinois v Connecticut / Maddie Meyer/GettyImages
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  • Illinois basketball at Nebraska (L – 79-75)

Nebraska was a feisty team in 2023-24, and they made the NCAA tournament with 23 wins overall. The Cornhuskers also bring back three out of the top four scorers from that team. They have a nice balance in the frontcourt and backcourt as well.

The transfer portal treated Nebraska well too. Connor Essegian was a nice addition. He transferred in from Wisconsin and should give them more shooting. I think Nebraska’s experience and cohesion are probably flying under the radar right now. This is a road game for the Illini, and I think Nebraska could clip us once again.

  • Illinois basketball vs. Ohio State (W – 84-79)

Ohio State tried to make the NCAA tournament last season but fell just short. They still finished with 22 wins. Leading scorer and assister Bruce Thornton is back with the team, but the Buckeyes lost the next five leading scorers. They were hit hard this offseason.

The transfer portal also helped Ohio State fill some big holes. They added Sean Stewart from Duke and Aaron Bradshaw from Kentucky. That should help their frontcourt tremendously. Meechie Johnson Jr. is also a sneaky good addition for the backcourt. I could see Ohio State being an NCAA tournament team, but look for Illinois to take the lone contest between the two teams.

  • Illinois basketball at #25 Rutgers (W – 85-76)

Seeing Rutgers ranked is weird. They are never a great team, but they have added some eye-popping pieces this offseason. After a 15-win campaign, only a few players are returning to the Rutgers roster this season. Big-time contributors like Cliff Omoruyi are gone now.

These departures clear the way for an insane Rutgers recruiting class. The Scarlet Knights landed the No. 2 and No. 3 players in the class of 2024 in Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper, respectively. They are both five-star athletes who should be really good for the program. Rutgers also landed a few solid transfers who should fill nice roles on the team. I know Rutgers has talent coming in, but I am not sure how good they are going to be with two freshmen leading the way. I think Illinois takes this game.

  • Illinois basketball at Minnesota (W – 74-64)

There are a lot of Big Ten teams Illinois only plays once this season. Minnesota is now on that list. The Golden Gophers are coming off an NIT bid and a 19-win campaign last season. Two out of the top three scorers for Minnesota return. Dawson Garica is somehow still around, and he averaged 17.6 points and 6.7 rebounds per game last season.

It looks like Minnesota is going to be leaning on Garcia to lead them to the promised land this season, though. The Golden Gophers brought in a myriad of three-star transfer portal players, but I am not sure how much they will help. I could see Minnesota struggling to get back to 19 wins this season.

  • Illinois basketball vs. #22 UCLA (W – 81-73)

I love the new Big Ten because we get matchups like against UCLA that don’t normally happen. The Bruins won 16 games last season, but they start the 2024-25 campaign ranked No. 22 in the nation. UCLA does return most of their talent. Three out of the top four scorers are back this season.

UCLA also did well in the transfer portal. They filled their frontcourt with some big talent and secured five four-star transfer portal recruits overall. One of those transfer portal additions was former Illinois guard, Skyy Clark. I think travel is going to be underrated this season, and UCLA coming to Champaign is going to be a little too much for them. Look for Illinois to get this home victory.

  • Illinois record – 20-5 (11-4 Big Ten)
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