Texas will face its first test away from the Moody Center on Tuesday. The Longhorns (6-0) travel to Madison Square Garden to compete with the No. 17 Illinois Fighting Illini (6-2).
Chris Beard’s team is still battle tested after securing Top 10 wins over the Gonzaga Bulldogs and Creighton Bluejays. Nevertheless the Illinois game will be a different challenge altogether.
Aside from the neutral site test, Texas will have the unenviable task of stopping Terrence Shannon. Chris Beard’s former Texas Tech player is averaging over 19 points per game on the season.
Baylor transfer Matthew Mayer is another familiar face on the Illini. The defensive pest is struggling this season on the offensive end, but could give the Longhorns trouble with suffocating defense.
Illinois would be the cherry on top of a No. 1 seed caliber nonconference resume for Texas, but the Longhorns’ opponent will have other plans.
Here’s a look at Illinois’ starting five.