The Illinois basketball program is back in the Sweet 16, and we are taking on a team that I didn’t want to play.
There were a couple of teams that I think have Brad Underwood’s number. Houston is one of those squads, along with UConn. Well, the Illini will now take on the Cougars on Thursday night.
Houston has a ton of talent, and their defense is ferocious. Illinois will need to be clicking offensively, and we can’t go through those dreaded droughts. This is a big game.
Here is the Illinois basketball vs Houston how to watch, series history, and players to watch
- Illinois basketball vs Houston – How to watch
This massive Sweet 16 matchup will take place on Thursday, March 26, at 9:05 p.m. CT/10:05 p.m. ET. Illinois will battle with Houston in Houston, Texas, at the Toyota Center. You can view this epic matchup on TBS and TruTV.
- Illinois basketball vs Houston – Series history
There isn’t a long history of Illinois and Houston playing each other. There have been a total of six matchups in program history, and the series right now is tied 3-3. The rubber match will take place on Thursday.
Houston got the best of Illinois the last time the two teams played. This was during the 2022 NCAA tournament. The Cougars were stacked, and the Illini couldn’t keep up. Houston ended up winning that game 68-53.
That was the only game the two teams have played in the last 40 years. This should be a great matchup.
- Illinois basketball vs Houston – Players to watch
Houston has one of the best teams in the country for a good reason. They have scoring and defense all up and down the roster.
The Cougars’ backcourt scares me. Kingston Flemings, Emanuel Sharp, and Milos Uzan all average double-digit points, shoot better than 34% from three-point range, and average at least one steal per game.
Illinois shouldn’t fight fire with fire here. I think we need to take a different angle. Use more of the Ivisic brothers down low in the paint.
Tomislav Ivisic has shown that he can be a physical paint presence. This would throw Houston off a bit, and Illinois would have a big advantage. His brother Zvonimir Ivisic is a great rim defender. This is going to be important when the Cougars’ guards drive.
This is also a great platform for Keaton Wagler. He has a chance to really boost his NBA Draft stock with a great outing against one of the best defenses in the country.