Illinois basketball gets another high-level test Friday night, and this one brings Baylor into State Farm Center for an exhibition that should tell us plenty about where the Illini stand this early.
Brad Underwood’s group already got a useful look against Cincinnati over the weekend, even without a televised feed. Illinois went on the road and came away with a 105-96 win over the Bearcats despite being without David Mirkovic.
It also gave Underwood a chance to work in some of the new faces, including four freshmen who saw the floor. In October, that kind of run matters.
Now the challenge gets steeper. Baylor just knocked off No.
1 Florida in overtime in an exhibition, a result that says plenty about the Bears’ ceiling this season. That’s the kind of opponent that can expose sloppy habits fast, and Illinois can’t afford to look flat in front of its own crowd, even with the result not counting in the standings.
How to watch Illinois basketball vs. Baylor exhibition:
Date: Friday, October 23
Time: 7:00 p.m. CT/8:00 p.m. ET
Venue: State Farm Center
How to watch (TV/Streaming): BTN+
Radio: Busey Bank Illini Sports Network
Illinois record: 0-0
Baylor record: 0-0
Announcers for Illinois basketball vs Baylor
TBD
Illinois basketball vs Baylor odds, spread, and total
N/A
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Illinois basketball injury report
F David Mirkovic - Out
Baylor injury report
None
The matchup history tilts toward Illinois, at least on paper. The Illini are 3-1 all time against Baylor, with the lone loss coming in the most recent meeting, an 82-69 Baylor win on December 2, 2020. Illinois beat the Bears 62-54 on November 28, 2014, and the first game between the programs dates all the way back to 1986, when the Illini won 92-68 at Assembly Hall.
This may only be an exhibition, but it still carries the feel of a true dress rehearsal. Illinois has already shown it can survive one test. Baylor will be a much sharper measuring stick.
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