Pregame Guide and Prediction: #8 Illinois vs Indiana

Illinois and Indiana meet once again on Sunday, February 15th at 12:00 with the CBS production crew in town. Illinois has hit a speedbump in the last week. Having dropped two straight games, this is a good opportunity to bounce back before the damage keeps multiplying. Indiana went over their own speedbump in January. The Hoosiers come into this one winners in 5 of their last 6. Indiana is looking to get back into the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2023. Year 1 of the Darian Devries era hasn't been perfect, but if it were to end in a tournament appearance, I think Hoosier fans would call it a success. Indiana could really use a ranked win away from home. Illinois could use a win to end a little slump.

Here is everything you need to know about Indiana:

Connor Enright is their point guard. If you remember the Tucker and Darian Devries' Drake teams, then you will recall Enright. He made the decision to join his old coach. Enright averages 5 ppg, 3 rpg, and 5 apg. His first instinct is always to pass. He is in full control of the tempo and handles any pressure the defense brings. Enright is also a plus defender and can play much bigger than his 6'1, 180lb frame.

Lamar Wilkerson is the biggest name to watch out for. He is one of the most underrated players in the country. Wilkerson's scoring repertoire is unmatched. The senior transferred in from Sam Houston State. He is matching what he did in his junior season this year. The difference is he isn't playing in CUSA anymore. Wilkerson is averaging 21 points a game and is capable of dropping more than that. In their most recent game, Wilkerson had 41. He also dropped 44 against Penn State in December. All I'll say is Illinois will wish Kylan Boswell is back to pick up this assignment.

Nick Dorn transferred in from Elon. Most of his damage comes behind the arc. He is shooting 40% from 3, but he can be quite streaky. Dorn's stretch to end January was ridiculous. He went 20/43 in the final 4 games in January but has cooled off since February has started. Illinois can't let him see a good look early to get him going.

Tucker Devries, son of head coach Darian Devries, has followed his dad to all 3 stops. He played his first 3 seasons at Drake, where he became a 2x MVC Player of the Year award recipient. Tucker led Drake to the NCAA Tournament twice. Now at Indiana, Tucker has not quite played up to the expectations set on him this offseason. He hasn't been bad, but he was supposed to be the team's best player. That title undisputably goes to Wilkerson. Devries is a big-bodied wing who likes to score in the mid-range and from deep. There is no shot that he is not afraid to step into and take.

National Champion Sam Alexis rounds out the starting lineup for Indiana. The Florida transfer has blossomed in their last two outings. Alexis was the reason Indiana beat a hot Wisconsin team, and he is coming off a game where he was perfect from the field. Alexis will be the best athlete on the floor. Match that with his length and defensive versatility, and you have a pretty good player.

Off the bench, Indiana has 3 guys worth mentioning. First, Tayton Conerway has been dealing with an injury. He hasn't played in more than 16 minutes since January 17th, but he is expected to be in the rotation more on Sunday. Reed Bailey is their backup big, and freshman Trent Sisley rounds out the consistent rotation.

Keys to an Illini victory:

Get healthy. Illinois ran a 6-man rotation on Tuesday against Wisconsin, and it was clear that the players were fatigued. Keaton Wagler in particular was asked to do way too much. Kylan Boswell has officially been listed as a gametime decision, and he could be a massive boost if healthy. Illinois also needs Andrej Stojakovic to come back from an ankle injury.

Need a good crowd. State Farm Center discourse is at an all-time high. This team deserves a good crowd behind them.

Absolutely dominate the glass. Indiana ranks outside the top 100 in defensive rebounding and outside the top 250 in offensive rebounding. Illinois should win this margin by 10+.

Take care of the ball. Carless turnovers cost them a win against a Wisconsin team who does not turn teams over. Indiana also does not force many turnovers.

Prediction:

This is tough because I don't know who is available and who is not. If Illinois is down to the same 6, and hopefully some more Brandon Lee if that is the case, I think Indiana has a real good chance of coming in here and winning. They are good basketball team and have been getting better over the last few weeks.

I will make two separate predictions, one if neither Boswell nor Stojakovic are playing, and one if either Boswell or Stojakovic is playing. I think we saw what happens when Illinois is down 2/3 of their backcourt.

With both missing, I would take Indiana to win 77-74.

If one or both plays, I will take Illinois 79-70.

It's the Zvonimir Ivisic game