Chambana Sun

The Illinois Fighting Illini are set to host the Wisconsin Badgers for their Big Ten home opener on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at the State Farm Center in Champaign. The game will be broadcast on Peacock with Noah Eagle and Robbie Hummel providing commentary.

Illinois comes into the game with a record of 6-2 overall and is looking to improve its standing after a loss in their conference opener. The team has been performing well at home this season, maintaining an undefeated streak with five wins.

"Illinois is No. 12 in the NCAA NET rankings through games played Dec. 8," notes a source from within the organization. The team ranks first in the Big Ten standings currently.

This upcoming match marks the 208th meeting between Illinois and Wisconsin, making it one of the longest-running rivalries in Illinois' basketball history. "Illinois has played more games against Wisconsin than any opponent in program history," confirms an insider.

Head Coach Brad Underwood has led his team to eight consecutive victories over Wisconsin, including a recent win that secured them the Big Ten Tournament Championship last March. Underwood's leadership has seen Illinois achieve significant success since he took charge.

Kasparas Jakucionis has been highlighted as a standout player this season. He made history by scoring over 20 points in three consecutive games as a freshman, becoming "the first Illini freshman to do so in program history."

The team's offensive strategies have paid off significantly, placing them among top national leaders in various categories such as total rebounds per game and field goal percentage defense.

Following Tuesday's game against Wisconsin, Illinois will face another challenging opponent when they host Tennessee on Saturday before entering non-conference play later this month.