Two of the top teams face off as Big Ten play gets fully underway. Can Illinois find a way to get a big win out west over Oregon?
TV schedule: Thursday, January 2nd, 10:00 pm ET. FS1
Arena: Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Oregon
The Big Ten could be as wide open as ever, with several teams making a legit case of being the top team. That includes both participants of this matchup, including newcomer Oregon. The Ducks are 12-1 (1-1), with their only loss being to UCLA in a conference battle.
They have one of the most balanced teams in the country, with five double-digit scorers. They’re led by Nathan Bittle, who averages 13.2 ppg and 8.5 rpg. On paper, they’re a team that doesn’t do anything great but they have no true weaknesses and, with a balanced roster, can compete with any team in the Big Ten.
Their opponent is Illinois (9-3, 1-1), one of the few teams not led by seniors. They scored 117 points in a blowout win over Chicago State and are led by a trio of first-year players. Freshman guard Kasparas Jakucionis (16.3 ppg, 5.6 rpg, and 5.3 apg) is a contender for Big Ten Player of the Year, while 7’1 center Tomislav Ivisic (14.7 ppg and 9.3 rpg) is one of the top bigs, making his matchup with Bittle the most important one of this game.
Another individual battle to watch for is between Jackson Shelstad of Oregon and Illinois’ Kylan Boswell, one of the better perimeter defenders in the country. As a team, Illinois ranks top-10 in both FG and 3-point percentage defense, as well as the FT line, though that’s more luck in away.
This game is going to be a good early test of how much travel matters, with Illinois going out west. If teams like Oregon and UCLA are going to contend for the regular-season title, they need to win their home games. But if Illinois and others can sneak them out on the road, then that’ll favor them.
Illinois is playing at a high level, look for them to continue to do so.
Prediction: Illinois 80, Oregon 70