Chambana Sun

The University of Illinois basketball team, currently ranked 13th nationally, is set to face Penn State on Wednesday at the State Farm Center in Champaign. This game marks Illinois' first home appearance in ten days following a successful road trip that included victories against No. 9 Oregon and Washington.

Illinois has achieved a season-high four-game winning streak since their last defeat to No. 1 Tennessee. The team also secured a significant victory over Chicago State with a score of 117-64 and claimed a historical win at Oregon, where they defeated an AP Top-10 program by the largest margin ever recorded for a road team.

Kasparas Jakucionis, the Illini's freshman point guard, has been named Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Week. He contributed significantly during Illinois' recent victories by averaging 16 points per game and maintaining high shooting percentages from both field goals and three-point ranges.

In addition to Jakucionis' performance, Tomislav Ivisic has emerged as a key player with six double-doubles this season, ranking third in the Big Ten. Ivisic's contributions have been vital in supporting Illinois' defensive strategies and rebounding efforts.

Illinois coach Brad Underwood continues to lead the program successfully, achieving consistent top-25 rankings for six consecutive seasons. Underwood’s tenure includes an Elite Eight appearance and a Big Ten Tournament Championship last year.

The current Illini roster showcases several new players who have stepped up impressively this season, accounting for more than 92% of the team's total scoring so far. The team also leads in various statistical categories within the Big Ten Conference.

Wednesday's matchup against Penn State will be broadcasted on BTN with commentary from Jeff Levering, Shon Morris, and Andy Katz.