After suffering their first loss of the 2024-25 season last Friday night on the road at Purdue, the Alabama Crimson Tide will return to action Wednesday night for yet another tough matchup, this time against the Illinois Fighting Illini.
The Crimson Tide and Fighting Illini will meet on a neutral-court, as both teams will make their way to Birmingham, Alabama for the C.M. Newton Classic. Illinois is also coming off a win, with this game likely to be their toughest opponent so far this season however.
Taking a deeper look at Alabama’s opponent however in particular, here is everything you need to know about the Fighting Illini entering Wednesday night’s game.
Illinois Fighting Illini Team Overview
- Team Name: Illinois Fighting Illini
- Conference: Big Ten
- Arena: State Farm Center, Champaign, Illinois
- 2024-25 Record: 3-0 overall
- Ranking: No. 25 in AP Poll, No. 20 in Coaches Poll
The Illinois Fighting Illini will be the second consecutive Big Ten opponent for the Crimson Tide, coming to Birmingham undefeated at 3-0 overall. In addition to that, Illinois is also a consensus Top 25 team nationally, ranked at No. 25 in the latest AP Poll, as well as No. 20 in the USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll.
Illinois Fighting Illini Coaching Staff
- Head Coach: Brad Underwood
- Associate Head Coach: Orlando Antigua
- Assistant Coach: Geoff Alexander
- Assistant Coach: Zach Hamer
- Assistant Coach: Tyler Underwood
- Assistant Coach: Kwa Jones
The head coach of the Fighting Illini is Brad Underwood, who is currently in his eighth season in Champaign. Under the guidance of Underwood, Illinois has had five-straight 20+ win seasons dating back to the 2019-20 campaign, and have also made the NCAA Tournament each of the last four years.
Illinois Fighting Illini 2024-25 Stats
- PPG: 89.3 (No. 27 in NCAA)
- PPG Allowed: 59.7 (No. 23 in NCAA)
- FG%: 45.1
- 3P%: 36.2
- FT%: 72.5
- RPG: 47.3
- APG: 16
- SPG: 4.3
- BPG: 5.7
Averaging 89.3 PPG as a team, Illinois is among the top offensive scoring teams in the Big Ten, with the same also able to be said of defense where they allow only 59.7 PPG to opponents. The Fighting Illini also are one of college basketball’s top programs when it comes to three-pointers made per game at 12.7, which ranks No. 4 nationally, as well as sitting No. 7 in the nation with 47.3 rebounds per game.
Illinois Fighting Illini Names to Know
- Tomislav Ivisic, Center – Sophomore
- Will Riley, Forward – Freshman
- Ben Humrichous, Forward – Graduate Student
- Kasparas Jakucionis, Guard – Freshman
- Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn, Guard – Sophomore
Illinois is led by one of the Big Ten’s top centers in sophomore Tomislav Ivisic, who at 7-foot-1 is currently averaging a near double-double for the season at 17.3 PPG and 9 RPG. The Fighting Illini also have two of the Big Ten’s top overall freshmen in leading-scorer Will Riley at 17.7 PPG, as well as do-everything guard Kasparas Jakucionis, who is averaging 9 PPG, 6.3 RPG, and 7.7 APG.