Forgoing its home opener against Illinois (10-7), Bradley baseball made a late change of plans and traveled to Champaign, Illinois for a midweek clash with the Illini.

Source: https://www.bradleyscout.com/sports/home-opener-shifted-bradley-baseball-falls-in-champaign-as-conference-season-looms/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=home-opener-shifted-bradley-baseball-falls-in-champaign-as-conference-season-looms

However, an 8-0 Illini run soon erased the Cats’ eight-point lead.

Source: https://dailynorthwestern.com/2023/02/24/lateststories/mens-basketball-boo-buies-35-point-career-night-not-enough-as-no-21-northwesterns-five-game-winning-streak-snaps-with-66-62-loss-to-illinois/

Illinois has some big shoes to fill, starting in the defensive backfield where Devon Witherspoon was selected by the Seattle Seahawks with the fifth pick in April, and two more Illini defensive backs went in the top 66 picks.

Source: https://www.dailyherald.com/sports/20230727/can-this-illini-team-go-where-few-before-have-gone-bret-bielema-is-excited-about-his-team

Illinois' Matthew Mayer scored 19 points in theFighting Illini 78-60 win over the Minnesota Golden Gophers.

Source: https://www.foxsports.com/watch/play-627dfbea7000d14

Illinois’ veteran trio of Shannon, Guerrier and Hawkins made sure there would be no repeat of their worst defeat from last season, scoring 29 as the Illini raced out to a 31-15 advantage.

Source: https://wtop.com/ncaa-basketball/2023/12/terrence-shannon-jr-scores-30-no-13-illinois-cruises-to-97-73-win-over-missouri/

Is Buckeyes star Brice Sensabaugh as good as Illini star Terrance Shannon Jr.?

Source: https://chicago.suntimes.com/2023/1/24/23570397/illini-69-buckeyes-60-terrence-shannon-coleman-hawkins-brice-sensabaugh

Purdue went into the locker room with a 47-26 lead over the Fighting Illini.

Source: https://www.foxsports.com/watch/play-640748a150000ae

The Hoosiers blitzed the Illini on the road last month, mainly by limiting them to 37% shooting on two-point tries as the Hoosiers grabbed 12 more rebounds than the Illini, and this spot is calling for a bet on IU once again.

Source: https://fansided.com/2023/02/17/illinois-vs-indiana-prediction-odds-saturday-february-18-hoosiers-get-back-track/

The Hoosiers blitzed the Illini on the road last month, mainly by limiting them to 37% shooting on two-point tries as the Hoosiers grabbed 12 more rebounds than the Illini, and this spot is calling for a bet on IU once again.

Source: https://fansided.com/2023/02/17/illinois-vs-indiana-prediction-odds-saturday-february-18-hoosiers-get-back-track/

The Illini defeated Minnesota 78-69 to end a two-game skid and won their fourth straight at State Farm Center on Monday night.

Source: https://chicago.suntimes.com/2023/2/20/23608114/illinois-gets-back-on-track-with-win-over-minnesota

The Illini have quality wins over then-No.

Source: https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/college/ct-big-ten-tournament-preview-20230307-3sk3o4iakzel3bynm7cliakz3u-story.html

The Illini have shown how dangerous they can be in spurts, with a big first half at Indiana on Feb. 18 and a huge second half at Purdue on Feb. 25, only to fall just short.

Source: https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-basketball/2023-big-10-big-east-tournament-picks-long-shots

The talent is there with Terrence Shannon Jr. to lead the backcourt and the progression of versatile big man is a winner as well and has been to the places the Illini want to go, having won a national title two years ago.

Source: https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-basketball/college-basketball-futures-bets-to-make-now-to-win-march-madness