The start of the 2026-27 Illinois basketball season is just days away, and we could be in for a special year.
Illinois is coming off a Final Four run that filled the veins of Illini fans with hope and promise for the future.
That future is here. The likes of Keaton Wagler and Kylan Boswell are gone. Illinois’ next generation has arrived, and there is a lot of hype for the coming months.
I believe Illinois could be pretty special this season, but I will be the first to admit that the record I have for the Illini seems like it could be a reach. But I laid it all out, and at the end of the day, this is what I came up with.
In 2025-26, my prediction for Illinois was 25-6 overall and 16-4 in the Big Ten. We finished the regular season 24-7 overall and 15-5 in the Big Ten. So, I wasn’t too far off.
Here is the game-by-game prediction for the Illinois basketball 2026-27 season
#3 Illinois vs Fairleigh Dickinson – Monday, November 2
Fairleigh Dickinson wasn’t a good team last season, winning just 11 games and having three 30+ point losses against major programs. This is a good starting team for Illinois. We should be able to put up a number. It will be good to get the young guys gelling early, too.
- Final: Illinois 93 – Fairleigh Dickinson 58 (W) (1-0 overall, 0-0 Big Ten)
#3 Illinois vs Pennsylvania - Thursday, November 5
We get a rematch of the first round of the NCAA tournament in game two of the 2026-27 season. Penn won 18 games last season, which included the Ivy League tournament. As a No. 14 seed, the Quakers didn’t have a chance in the first round against No. 3 Illinois. We beat them by 35 points, and I don’t think the 2026-27 season should fare differently.
- Final: Illinois 88 – Pennsylvania 68 (W) (2-0 overall, 0-0 Big Ten)
#3 Illinois at #19 Texas Tech - Tuesday, November 10
The hope is that by game three against Texas Tech, David Mirkovic will be at full speed. The Red Raiders will have a lot of firepower, including former Illini Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn.
Texas Tech loaded up with transfer portal talent, too. They have four fifth-year players and two seniors. JT Toppin and Donovan Atwell are both back. By season’s end, I think the Red Raiders could be a top 10 program. I think Illinois’ cohesion will overwhelm them, though. Texas Tech will be a strong team by midseason, but the Illini will get the best of them early on.
- Final: Illinois 75 – Texas Tech 72 (W) (3-0 overall, 0-0 Big Ten)
#3 Illinois vs Sam Houston State - Friday, November 13
Illinois should be able to easily move to 4-0 after the win over Texas Tech. The next game will be a nice cool-down game, as Sam Houston State comes to Illinois.
The Illini should be able to play more of the bench, and this will give the starters some rest for the next big matchup soon after. I like Illinois in this contest, as we get a Bearkats team that was a first round NIT exit program last season.
- Final: Illinois 95 – Sam Houston State 68 (W) (4-0 overall, 0-0 Big Ten)
#3 Illinois at #2 Duke - Tuesday, November 17
This is one of the two monster matchups for the Illinois basketball program in the non-conference.
Duke is a great team with five-star talent up and down the roster. They added a key piece in John Blackwell from Wisconsin. His backcourt play is important, and he knows Illinois. Their freshman class is out of this world, too.
This is going to be a tough matchup. If it were at home, I would say Illinois might take this game. I think the Illini will still be gelling, with Mirkovic potentially back. That could give the Blue Devils the advantage. This is Illinois’ first loss of the season, though.
- Final: Illinois 77 – Duke 85 (L) (4-1 overall, 0-0 Big Ten)
#3 Illinois vs Eastern Illinois - Friday, November 20
After the loss to Duke, Illinois has a nice stretch of get-right games. The next game is against Eastern Illinois. This is a nice, easy win for the Illini, as Brad Underwood will look to correct some issues. The Panthers should be put away early.
- Final: Illinois 101 – Eastern Illinois 63 (W) (5-1 overall, 0-0 Big Ten)
#3 Illinois vs Winthrop - Monday, November 23
Winthrop is always a scary team. They registered 23 wins last season and nearly knocked off No. 23 Arkansas and gave Nebraska a fight on the road.
Illinois might start this game slowly, but it will turn into a double-digit affair. The Illini have too much firepower, and we should be clicking at this point in the season.
- Final: Illinois 94 – Winthrop 72 (W) (6-1 overall, 0-0 Big Ten)
#3 Illinois vs Western Kentucky - Friday, November 27
This isn’t your father’s Western Kentucky squad. They used to be a mid-major darling, but coming off 18 wins last season, the Hilltoppers aren’t what they used to be.
Illinois shouldn’t have a problem in this game. It is a nice tune-up game for the next big outing in the following contest.
- Final: Illinois 98 – Western Kentucky 63 (W) (7-1 overall, 0-0 Big Ten)
#3 Illinois vs #4 UConn - Friday, December 4
Honestly, this is the game I have been waiting for. Dan Hurley has been a thorn in Underwood’s side this whole time, and it would be nice to get a win over UConn.
It is impressive the amount of talent the Huskies got to stay from last season. They brought back Solo Ball, Silas Demary Jr., and Braylon Mullins. Those are three of your top five players.
UConn’s offseason was okay, but it was nothing that blew me away. I think Illinois can use our depth as a huge advantage in this game. We can wear the Huskies down and rotate players in and out at a rapid pace. I think Illinois goes into the United Center and comes away with a huge victory.
- Final: Illinois 79 – UConn 75 (W) (8-1 overall, 0-0 Big Ten)
#3 Illinois at Minnesota - Tuesday, December 8
The two random Big Ten games in the middle of the non-conference commence after the big win over UConn.
Minnesota was bad last season, winning just 15 games. I don’t expect that to change. They didn’t bring much in from the transfer portal, and their offseason was blah, at best.
- Final: Illinois 81 – Minnesota 63 (W) (9-1 overall, 1-0 Big Ten)
#3 Illinois vs Penn State - Saturday, December 12
I think this might be one of the worst teams in the country this season. Penn State is going to struggle greatly after losing Kayden Mingo to the transfer portal.
This is a Nittany Lions team that won just 12 games with Mingo in the lineup. I could see them winning single-digit games in 2026-27.
- Final: Illinois 85 – Penn State 59 (W) (10-1 overall, 2-0 Big Ten)
#3 Illinois vs Missouri – Sunday, December 20
I think Missouri could have a sneaky good team this season. This will make the Braggin’ Rights game even that much better.
The Tigers won 20 games and made the NCAA tournament last season. They have five fifth-year players on their roster, including the return of Mark Mitchell. I think the key for Missouri is that they brought in Providence transfer Jamier Jones. This is a battle of two programs that dismantled Providence, as that is where Stefan Vaaks came from, too.
Illinois is going to have a battle in this game. We beat Missouri by 43 points last season. This game will be much closer. I think Illinois lights up the Tigers from beyond the three-point arc.
- Final: Illinois 88 – Missouri 85 (W) (11-1 overall, 2-0 Big Ten)
#3 Illinois vs Seattle - Tuesday, December 29
Illinois will get one final tune-up game before the full Big Ten slate. It will be nice to have a game like the one against Seattle to slow things down a bit.
I fully expect this to be a massive blowout. Illinois should get the chance to rest some starters and give some of the bench more playing time.
- Final: Illinois 103 – Seattle 61 (W) (12-1 overall, 2-0 Big Ten)
#3 Illinois at Wisconsin – Saturday, January 2
Wisconsin should take a step backward this season. It is a road game, and those are always tough in the Big Ten. This isn’t going to be a good Badgers squad, though.
The top two scorers for Wisconsin are gone. They didn’t have a great offseason, as the transfer portal wasn’t friendly. I expect the Badgers to be in the bottom half of the Big Ten this season.
- Final: Illinois 75 – Wisconsin 61 (W) (13-1 overall, 3-0 Big Ten)
#3 Illinois vs Purdue – Tuesday, January 5
It is weird to say, but I think Purdue, like Wisconsin, could take a step backward this season. This is a 30-win Purdue squad, but they lost too much talent in the offseason.
The Boilermakers’ top three scorers from last season are gone. Only one transfer portal player was brought in, and there weren’t any freshmen added. Matt Painter is putting a lot of trust in unproven talent. I think Purdue could have a bumpy year.
- Final: Illinois 71 – Purdue 55 (W) (14-1 overall, 4-0 Big Ten)
#3 Illinois vs Ohio State – Saturday, January 9
Ohio State had a good 2025-26 campaign, winning 21 games. I think they could be better this season. While the Buckeyes did lose three of the top four scorers, they have reloaded.
John Mobley Jr. is back. They are bringing in five-star forward Anthony Thompson. I really like what they did in the transfer portal, too. Justin Pippen is a great addition. I think Andrija Jelavic will be great for them. This is going to be a good Ohio State team.
- Final: Illinois 68 – Ohio State 67 (W) (15-1 overall, 5-0 Big Ten)
#3 Illinois at Northwestern – Wednesday, January 13
There have been some good seasons in recent years for Northwestern, but they were once again not good last year. They won 15 games, and I don’t expect them to be any better.
The freshman class for the Wildcats is nothing to write home about, and they didn’t do great work in the transfer portal. Unless Northwestern has someone come out of the woodwork and dominate, they are going to struggle this season.
- Final: Illinois 87 – Northwestern 66 (W) (16-1 overall, 6-0 Big Ten)
#3 Illinois at Maryland – Saturday, January 16
Maryland was a bad team last season, winning just 12 games. Two of the top three scorers are back, and what is intriguing is the fact that they did work in the transfer portal.
DJ Wagner and Bishop Boswell will improve the Terrapins’ backcourt tremendously. I also like the addition of Tomislav Buljan from New Mexico. This is going to be a better Maryland team, but they will still fall short of Illinois.
- Final: Illinois 77 – Maryland 70 (W) (17-1 overall, 7-0 Big Ten)
#3 Illinois vs Nebraska – Tuesday, January 19
I think Nebraska is going to be pretty good this season. They won 28 games in 2025-26, and they have Pryce Sandfort returning for one more season.
Fred Hoiberg was meticulous in the transfer portal. He is one of the best coaches in college basketball, and when Illinois plays him, it always scares me. I think the Cornhuskers can go toe-to-toe with the Illini from three-point range. Look for this to be high-scoring, but the Illini to drop a heartbreaker.
- Final: Illinois 85 – Nebraska 89 (L) (17-2 overall, 7-1 Big Ten)
#3 Illinois at Indiana – Sunday, January 24
While going to Bloomington always seems tough, I don’t trust Indiana in the least bit. They won 18 games last season, but there was a mass exodus out of the program.
I am not blown away by the Hoosiers’ freshman class. Honestly, their transfer portal haul isn’t anything to write home about either. Indiana is a blue blood, but they aren’t recruiting like it. I see them struggling again this season.
- Final: Illinois 72 – Indiana 58 (W) (18-2 overall, 8-1 Big Ten)
#3 Illinois vs #21 USC – Wednesday, January 27
I could see USC being a dark horse to win the national championship. This is a team that went through turmoil last season, but they reloaded and got some good talent back.
Rodney Rice only played six games last season, but he is back with his 20.3 points per game. Alijah Arenas returns. The Trojans had a nice haul in the offseason, which included big man Eric Reibe from UConn. This is going to be a really good USC squad. If this were in Los Angeles, I would have it as a loss for Illinois. I think the Illini pull through, though.
- Final: Illinois 81 – USC 77 (W) (19-2 overall, 9-1 Big Ten)
#3 Illinois vs North Carolina – Saturday, January 30
This is going to be weird, but I don’t think North Carolina will have a good team this season. They lost their top four scorers from 2025-26, and they didn’t do a lot of great work in the transfer portal.
North Carolina might have a good backcourt, but their frontcourt will be a struggle. This team might not make the NCAA tournament. I see Illinois handling the Tar Heels.
- Final: Illinois 87 – North Carolina 71 (W) (20-2 overall, 9-1 Big Ten)
#3 Illinois vs #22 UCLA – Tuesday, February 2
This is when the Illinois schedule gets really fun. UCLA comes to Champaign in early February. This is a Bruins team that won 24 games last season and was on the heels of the Illini in the Big Ten.
UCLA returns three of the top four scorers from that squad. They filled in the holes with some quality transfer portal talent, too. Jaylen Petty from Texas Tech and Filip Jovic from Auburn will be great fits for that program. I think the Illini start this stretch on the right foot, though. We should be able to handle the Bruins.
- Final: Illinois 74 – UCLA 70 (W) (21-2 overall, 10-1 Big Ten)
#3 Illinois vs #6 Michigan State – Friday, February 5
While Michigan State is a top 10 team in the country right now, I could see them taking a step backward. They lost two key pieces in Jaxon Kohler and Carson Cooper. That is a ton of rebounding talent departing.
Jeremy Fears Jr. gives the Spartans a leg up, though. They need frontcourt help, but I am not sure that is going to arrive. Tom Izzo didn’t do much in the transfer portal either. I see the Spartans being a solid team, but when they come to Champaign, I would be surprised if they were top 10.
- Final: Illinois 69 – Michigan State 60 (W) (22-2 overall, 11-1 Big Ten)
#3 Illinois at #16 Michigan – Tuesday, February 9
Michigan is going to be a good team this season. They lost nearly everyone, including their head coach. The Wolverines recovered, though.
It might take Michigan a minute to get their legs under them, but they will be tough to beat. I think this team is going to be even tougher in Ann Arbor. Illinois will struggle in this contest because there will be a few games this season when the three-point shot isn’t falling.
- Final: Illinois 71 – Michigan 78 (L) (22-3 overall, 11-2 Big Ten)
#3 Illinois at Purdue – Friday, February 12
I just don’t think Painter’s team has it this season. They are going to be competitive at times, but they just don’t have the talent and depth.
Illinois goes to West Lafayette, and the Boilermakers make it a game. It might get ugly, but the Illini will have to win a few ugly games this season. I think we can beat Purdue on the road.
- Final: Illinois 67 – Purdue 64 (W) (23-3 overall, 12-2 Big Ten)
#3 Illinois vs Northwestern – Tuesday, February 16
Again, this should be a pretty putrid Northwestern squad. They were at the bottom of the Big Ten last season, and that won’t change in 2026-27.
I think the Wildcats will get throttled in Champaign. They will be lucky to be within 15 points by halftime.
- Final: Illinois 88 – Northwestern 51 (W) (24-3 overall, 13-2 Big Ten)
#3 Illinois at Oregon – Saturday, February 20
I really like what Oregon has done this offseason. They were a train wreck for the first time in a long time last season, winning just 12 games. I think the Ducks are in store for a massive rebound season.
Oregon did a great job in the transfer portal. Jasper Johnson is going to be their lead dog at point guard. They also plucked some quality wing and frontcourt help. Tajh Ariza is another good addition to the program. They will be good this season, but I am not sure of the effect of Dana Altman’s sudden retirement. Illinois still should be able to hold on.
- Final: Illinois 91 – Oregon 77 (W) (25-3 overall, 14-2 Big Ten)
#3 Illinois at Washington – Tuesday, February 23
You could be looking at the worst team in the country when it comes to Washington basketball. This is traditionally a good team, but they are about to hit rock bottom.
Washington only won 16 games last season. They lost their top three scorers from that team. The Huskies didn’t replace those players with much. The freshman class is extremely weak, and the transfer portal isn’t anything to write home about. This could be a really bad Washington squad.
- Final: Illinois 105 – Washington 61 (W) (26-3 overall, 15-2 Big Ten)
#3 Illinois vs Wisconsin – Sunday, February 28
I don’t see Wisconsin being competitive with Illinois at home, so I think the game could be uglier when they go at it again in Champaign.
The Badgers are usually good, but they could be about as mediocre as you can get in 2026-27. With Illinois being more familiar with Wisconsin, the second time around should be an easier go.
- Final: Illinois 83 – Wisconsin 65 (W) (27-3 overall, 16-2 Big Ten)
#3 Illinois at Rutgers – Wednesday, March 3
Rutgers seems to be a wild card program this season. They only tallied 14 wins in 2025-26, but three of their top four scorers are back, so there is familiarity there.
The Scarlet Knights did a good job filling in around the returning talent, too. They got Christian Gurdak, a four-star, who can play center. They also filled in with quality role players to help bolster depth. Despite what I like about Rutgers, they just don’t have the horses to keep up with the Illini.
- Final: Illinois 75 – Rutgers 67 (W) (28-3 overall, 17-2 Big Ten)
#3 Illinois vs Iowa – Saturday, March 6
I keep expecting teams in the Big Ten to reload with talent, but that isn’t the case this season. Iowa lost their top three scorers, including 19.8 points per game from Bennett Stritz. They didn’t fill the voids, though.
The biggest addition for the Hawkeyes was a four-star transfer portal center. I think Ty’Reek Coleman could be good, but he only averaged 10.0 points per game with Illinois State last season. I don’t understand why the Big Ten isn’t stronger in the transfer portal. This could be a below-average season for Iowa.
- Final: Illinois 81 – Iowa 69 (W) (29-3 overall, 18-2 Big Ten)
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