Rutgers vs Illinois: 2022-23 college basketball game preview, TV schedule`
By Joey Loose
An important Big Ten matchup sees Rutgers on the road; do the Illini play consistent at home or can the Scarlet Knights snag another nice road victory?
TV schedule: Saturday, February 11, 2:00 pm ET. FS1
Arena: State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois
When we consider Rutgers (16-8), it’s hard not to be impressed. The Scarlet Knights have been far from perfect this season, but lost their two top players from last year and were expected to take a step back this year. Instead, they’ve worked their way back into the national rankings, have beaten top-ranked Purdue on the road, and sit in 2nd place in a jam-packed Big Ten.
There are a number of reasons for their success, with the play of junior center Clifford Omoruyi (13.5 ppg, 9.8 rpg) among the most significant reasons, having just led them in scoring in a close loss at Indiana. Another piece of the puzzle has been senior guard Cam Spencer (12.9 ppg, 3.5 apg), the transfer from Loyola-Maryland who’s fit in nicely in Steve Pikiell’s system. The play of senior guard Paul Mulcahy (9.0 ppg, 4.9 apg) cannot be ignored after his great performance against Purdue last month.
Sitting at 24th in the AP Rankings, Rutgers is also up to 16th in KenPom and 21st in the NET rankings. They are trending towards a third straight NCAA Tournament appearance and boast a defense ranked 2nd in the nation in the efficiency metrics. Aside from struggling with Iowa this season, that defense has played lockdown basketball, especially in conference play, and it’s a major reason why this new-look squad is sitting in this enviable position in the Big Ten.
Across the court, Illinois (16-7) is hoping that they’re figuring things out at the right time. The Illini have had some absolute stinkers this season, losing their first three conference games, but now sit 7-5 in the Big Ten, with a slew of solid wins in recent weeks. Brad Underwood’s team has been feast or famine this season; which version shows up on Saturday?
The Illini are leaning heavily on a trio of Big 12 transfers, including former Texas Tech guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (17.0 ppg, 5.1 rpg). Senior guard Matthew Mayer (11.9 ppg, 4.9 rpg) won a national championship at Baylor and has led the Illini in scoring in each of their last three ballgames. Few expected the rise of sophomore forward Dain Dainja (10.1 ppg, 6.0 rpg), another Baylor transfer who’s getting minutes and making an impact in the middle of this Illini rotation.
Illinois sits outside the AP Rankings and are 26th in both KenPom and the NET. They sit 19th in defensive efficiency and rate as one of the best interior teams in the nation, with good rebounding and 2-point shooting numbers on the year. The Illini have wins over Texas and UCLA this year and can beat nearly anyone when they’re on their game.
An important first question about this game is which Illinois team shows up. This squad has played somewhat undisciplined this season and cannot afford to play sloppy offense against this elite Rutgers defense. The battles between Dainja and Omoruyi will be fascinating to watch. The Illini have had some horrid shooting nights in recent weeks and still pounded out victories; this won’t be as simple against the Scarlet Knights.
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You get the feeling that each defense is going to try to take away the other’s best weapon, which means the Illini might need even more out of Mayer and some of their other skill players. Neither team is exactly on a hot streak, as both already lost earlier this week. Give a very slight advantage to the Illini playing at home, but anything can happen based on how the team in orange plays in the opening minutes.