The No. 13 Illinois Fighting Illini are set to begin their Big Ten season against the Ohio State Buckeyes on December 12, 2023, at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. This marks the 121st season of league play for Illinois and the 195th meeting between the two teams, a rivalry dating back to the 1914-15 season. Illinois currently leads the all-time series 112-82, having won six of the last eight matchups.
The Illini enter this contest following a convincing 75-62 victory over No. 13 Tennessee at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Under the leadership of head coach Brad Underwood, Illinois has secured 29 wins against top-25 opponents since the 2019-20 season, tied for ninth-most in the NCAA during this period. The team currently boasts five players averaging double figures in scoring, led by Kylan Boswell with 17.0 points per game, making them one of the most balanced offenses in the nation.
Key Players and Performance Metrics
Illinois’ lineup features several standout performers. In addition to Boswell, Andrej Stojakovic is contributing 14.9 points per game, while David Mirkovic and Keaton Wagler each average 13.8 points. Stojakovic has displayed impressive shooting, with a 54.6% success rate from the field and four games scoring over 20 points this season.
Mirkovic, a freshman, is making a significant impact, averaging 9.6 rebounds per game and recording four double-doubles thus far. His performance places him among the top five in the Big Ten for both scoring and rebounding among freshmen. As a team, the Illini are averaging an astonishing 88.7 points per game, a pace that could see them become only the third team in program history to average over 88 points in a season.
Illinois has shown dominance at home, winning all six games at State Farm Center with an average margin of victory exceeding 30 points. However, this matchup in Columbus represents their first true road challenge of the season, where they hold a 44-50 record against Ohio State.
Historical Context and Series Insights
The Illini’s recent success against the Buckeyes includes a three-game winning streak, their longest against Ohio State since a five-game run from 2003 to 2005. In their last meeting, Illinois secured an 87-79 victory at home, showcasing strong performances from players like Kylan Boswell and Tomislav Ivisic, who recorded a double-double.
Historically, Illinois dominated the early years of the rivalry, winning 18 of the first 19 encounters. The longest winning streak for Illinois in this series spans twelve games from January 21, 1950, to February 11, 1956. Conversely, Ohio State’s longest stretch of success occurred between February 19, 1977, and January 24, 1980.
As they prepare for this critical early-season matchup, the Illini will look to solidify their position in the Big Ten standings and continue their impressive scoring run. With Brad Underwood at the helm, the program has consistently ranked among the top teams in the conference, and this season is shaping up to be no different as they aim for another successful campaign.
The game against Ohio State is one of two early-season Big Ten contests for Illinois, followed by a home matchup against No. 23 Nebraska on December 16. The Illini are also set to conclude their nonconference schedule with the annual McBride Homes Braggin’ Rights game against Missouri on December 22 at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis. As the season progresses, Illinois aims to maintain its strong performance both in and out of the conference, continuing to build on its legacy within college basketball.
