Coming into the 2025-26 season, Illinois (4-0) was ranked in the top-20 in the preseason AP poll. However, there’s a chance they were highly underrated, scoring nearly 100 ppg and having one of the most impressive offensive units in the country. They also have a win over Texas Tech, an early signature win for their resume.
The Fighting Illini now take on Alabama (2-1), a battle-tested program that is coming off a loss to Purdue but did beat St. John’s days prior. In what very well could be a high-scoring affair, what does Illinois need to do to get the win?
Here are some specific keys to watch for.
1. Dominate the Tide on the boards
When Alabama lost to Purdue, it was outrebounded 48-23. The Boilermakers do have one of the best frontcourts in the country, but Illinois, thanks to the Ivisic brothers and David Mirkovic, has just as big and physical a group of bigs as Purdue. Illinois ranks in the top 10 nationally at nearly 50 rebounds a game, including around 16 a game on the offensive end. If the Illini can win that battle again by double figures, it’ll play a role in them winning.
2. Slowing down Philon and Holloway
The Tide has six double-digit scorers, but the two main players are Aden Holloway (21 ppg and 3.5 apg) and Labaron Philon (19.3 ppg and 6.0 apg), two of the top perimeter players in the country. They also take 14 three-point shots a game, and can be prolific from beyond the arc.
Illini guard Kylan Boswell is one of the better perimeter defenders in the country and will guard one of them. Look for freshman guard Keaton Wagler to take on the other as a great defensive test for the Illini guards. Preventing them from going off will be huge for Illinois in this contest.
3. Don’t get killed from the three-point line
Illinois is a quality shooting team, ranking in the top-30 nationally in both makes (11.5) and attempts (31.8 ppg), shooting around 36% overall. Alabama is just ahead at around 11.7 makes a game at 35 attempts. When the Tide is hot from deep, they can beat anyone in the country, with the 11 first-half makes against Purdue last game as an example. But if they go cold and can’t get rebounds, then Illinois will have a great shot at winning the game.