The Iowa Hawkeyes (7-1, 0-1) are set to host their first Big Ten opponent in the Illinois Fighting Illini (6-2, 1-0). The Illini are on a four game winning streak after losing a couple non-home games to Marquette & Cincinnati. They are coming off a 35-point beatdown of Rutgers on Friday night.
Brad Underwood remains the Illinois head coach after coming off of the Illini’s best season in well over a decade which resulted in Big Ten regular season & conference tournament titles and a one-seed in the NCAA Tournament. They’re still a balanced squad with the #19 offense & #21 defense according to KenPom.