Illinois is back home Thursday night looking to shake off its first loss of the 2026-27 season, and the assignment comes against a Sam Houston team that has already shown it can make things uncomfortable.
The Illini went to Texas Tech and got punched early, falling behind by as many as 22 points before clawing all the way back to within one. But Illinois never got over the hump in Lubbock, where the Red Raiders held on for an 84-78 win. Now the focus shifts to a non-conference matchup with the Bearkats, who enter at 2-1 and were picked to finish fourth in the Conference USA preseason poll.
Sam Houston’s record comes with a little bit of context. The Bearkats opened against Alabama and lost 96-74, then beat Howard Payne and Pepperdine.
They also bring a ranking of No. 157 in KenPom, which puts them just 17 spots behind Penn, Illinois’ Game 2 opponent. In other words, this one should have some bite to it - at least early.
The biggest concern for Illinois is the backcourt. Sam Houston has three guards who can score, and that’s exactly the kind of profile that has given the Illini problems.
Jacobe Coleman and Aidan McDowell are both averaging at least 16.0 points per game, while Justin Begg is adding 10.3 points and 4.7 assists. Illinois has already shown, through a few exhibition games and one high-major test, that high-level guards can give it fits.
There’s also a rebounding angle worth watching. Sam Houston outboarded Alabama 45-42 in its season opener and grabbed 15 offensive rebounds in that game. If the Bearkats get rolling on the glass again, double-digit offensive boards would not be a surprise at State Farm Center.
Friday night in Champaign will also be a first. Illinois and Sam Houston have never met before.
The Bearkats’ last game against a Big Ten opponent came in December 2024, when they lost 97-71 at Indiana. Illinois’ last game against a Conference USA team came back in December 2019, when it beat Old Dominion 69-55.
Illinois vs. Sam Houston will be shown on Big Ten Plus.
Local radio coverage is available on the Busey Bank Illini Sports Network, with Champaign on WDWS 93.9 FM or 1400 AM and Chicago on WLS 890 AM. The game can also be streamed through Fighting Illini Productions and the Varsity Network App.
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