No. 8 Alabama vs No. 14 Illinois Preview

Wednesday night, the #8 Alabama Crimson Tide will face the #14 Illinois Fighting Illini at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. This matchup is one of the premier non-conference games of the entire college basketball season, featuring two highly ranked programs with contrasting strengths. Here’s a full breakdown of how these teams stack up ahead of the showdown:

How Do the Two Teams Match Up?

Alabama enters the contest ranked #8 in the nation with a 2–1 record, while Illinois comes in undefeated at 4–0 and ranked #14. The Crimson Tide boasts the 7th-best offense in the country, fueled by elite spacing and three-level scoring. Their perimeter shooting has been especially dangerous. Alabama knocked down 16 three-pointers against Purdue in its last outing.

Aden Holloway has been a standout on both ends of the floor. His efficiency, playmaking, and defensive activity have been central to Alabama’s early success, and he’ll need another strong performance for the Tide to leave Chicago with a win.

Illinois, on the other hand, is one of the best three-point defending teams in the nation. While Alabama thrives on perimeter offense, Illinois dominates inside. Their most imposing presence is Tomislav Ivišić, a 7'1" force in the paint. Ivišić has been outstanding to start the season, averaging 21 points and 4 rebounds while shooting an incredible 75% from the field. His combination of size, touch, and defensive ability makes him the focal point for the Illini on both ends of the court.

Illinois has also looked like one of the most dominant teams this season, including a statement win over then #11 Texas Tech. Their physicality and interior scoring have overwhelmed opponents.

This matchup is a classic clash of styles:

• Alabama: high-powered, efficient offense

• Illinois: disciplined, tough, defensive-minded squad

  
  

Because the teams’ strengths contrast so sharply, the game could easily be decided by the small details—free throws included. Illinois enters as the more reliable free-throw shooting team, which could matter in a tight game.

Final Thoughts

This matchup has all the ingredients for a competitive and entertaining game. Alabama’s offensive firepower and Illinois’ physical interior presence create a compelling contrast in styles, and both teams have the personnel to dictate stretches of play. Fans should expect a high-energy battle with momentum swings, big possessions, and the type of action that makes early-season college basketball worth tuning in for.

Illinois has the size and discipline to challenge Alabama in the paint, but the Crimson Tide’s ability to score in bunches could give them a slight edge if they find their rhythm.

This should be a tight, competitive game from start to finish.