Chambana Sun

The Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team, currently ranked No. 23, is set to face Rutgers in Piscataway, New Jersey on Wednesday night. This matchup marks the beginning of a two-game road swing for Illinois as part of a challenging stretch that includes five games over 13 days.

The game will be broadcast on BTN with Jeff Levering and Robbie Hummel providing commentary. Fans can also follow the action via live stream on foxsports.com or listen through the Busey Bank Illini Sports Network and SiriusXM.

Illinois enters the game following a comeback victory against Ohio State where they overcame an 11-point second-half deficit. Freshmen Will Riley and Morez Johnson Jr. were pivotal in securing this win, with Riley scoring 24 points off the bench and Johnson recording his third double-double of the season.

Coach Brad Underwood has expressed confidence in his team's ability to perform on the road, citing their record of success away from home since the 2019-20 season. "Illinois is a combined 5-4 away from State Farm Center this season," he noted.

Currently leading the nation in rebounding statistics, Illinois is looking to maintain its strong performance under Coach Underwood's guidance. The team ranks high in various NCAA metrics, including rebounds per game and defensive efficiency.

As they prepare to face Rutgers, Illinois aims to continue its winning streak against Big Ten opponents. The Illini have historically performed well against Rutgers, holding a series lead with recent victories adding to their confidence.

Illinois' standout players include Kasparas Jakucionis, who was recently named to several midseason watch lists for national awards due to his impressive freshman campaign. Jakucionis has been instrumental in Illinois' offensive efforts alongside teammates like Tomislav Ivisic and Kylan Boswell.

Looking ahead, Illinois remains focused on maintaining their competitive edge within the Big Ten Conference while building upon their current rankings nationally.