Ducks Face Illini in Key Big Ten Matchup
Champaign, IL – , the Oregon Ducks will travel to State Farm Center to face the Illinois Fighting Illini in a crucial Big Ten basketball contest. The game, scheduled for , will be broadcast on Peacock.
Illinois enters the game with a strong record of , boasting a 22-6 overall mark and a 13-4 record in conference play. They currently sit second in the Big Ten standings, trailing only Michigan. Oregon, meanwhile, has struggled this season, posting a 10-17 record overall and a 3-13 record in Big Ten competition.
The Fighting Illini are coming off a narrow victory over UCLA on , winning 95-94 in overtime. Prior to that, they secured a dominant 101-65 win against USC on . Oregon is looking to build momentum after a 71-70 win against USC on , following victories over Minnesota (61-44 on ) and Penn State (83-72 on ).
According to ESPN Analytics, Illinois has a 95.7% chance of winning the game.
Key Players to Watch
Illinois is led by a potent offense, averaging 85.1 points per game. Kwame Wagler leads the Illini in scoring with 18.2 points per game, shooting 45.6% from the field and 81.3% from the free-throw line. Dain Dainja Mirkovic contributes 7.7 points per game and averages 5.3 defensive rebounds.
For Oregon, Nathan Bittle is the primary scoring threat, averaging 16.7 points per game with a field goal percentage of 45.8% and a free-throw percentage of 73.7%. Kwame Evans Jr. Leads the Ducks in rebounding with 7.2 rebounds per game, including 5.1 defensive rebounds and 2.1 offensive rebounds.
Team Statistics
Illinois demonstrates a strong offensive presence, scoring 85.1 points per game compared to Oregon’s 71.1. Defensively, Illinois allows 69.0 points per game, while Oregon concedes 74.2. Illinois also holds an advantage in field goal percentage (46% vs. 43%) and rebounds (41.2 vs. 34.7), and assists (14.9 vs. 14.0). Illinois also edges Oregon in blocks (4.9 vs 4.0) and steals (6.1 vs 3.7).
Big Ten Standings
As of , the Big Ten standings are as follows:
- Michigan: 15-1-2, 5-2
- Illinois: 13-4, 22-6
- Nebraska: 12-4, 23-4
- Purdue: 12-4, 22-5
- Michigan State: 12-4, 22-5
- Wisconsin: 11-5, 19-8
- UCLA: 10-6, 18-9
- Iowa: 9-7, 19-8
- Ohio State: 9-7, 17-10
- Indiana: 8-8, 17-10
- USC: 7-9, 18-9
- Minnesota: 6-10, 13-14
- Washington: 5-11, 13-14
- Rutgers: 4-12, 11-16
- Maryland: 4-12, 11-16
- Northwestern: 3-13, 11-16
- Oregon: 3-13, 10-17
- Penn State: 2-15, 11-17
Tickets for the game at State Farm Center are currently available, with prices starting at $80.
