The Fighting Illini look to be a tough test for the undefeated Terps.
No. 22 Maryland men’s basketball improved to 7-0 with a blow out of Louisville on the road Tuesday, and optimism surrounding the program in year one under Kevin Willard continued to grow. Friday night, the Terps will get a chance to demonstrate just how ready for the spotlight they are for in a huge home matchup with No. 16 Illinois.
The Fighting Illini enter the game with a 6-1 record, their only loss coming to No. 3 Virginia. They already have an impressive win on their resume in the form of a nine-point victory over No. 21 UCLA, who the Terps will host on Dec. 14. The Illini are led by Texas Tech transfer Terrence Shannon Jr., who is averaging almost 20 points per game.
This will be the Terps’ first test against a ranked opponent as well as their first conference game. They have completely dominated every game they have played this season, winning each by at least 16 points. XFINITY Center should see one of its best crowds in years, with student tickets being sold out for multiple days and few general public tickets available.
The numbers
Maryland: 7-0, 0-0 Big Ten
Illinois: 6-1, 0-0 Big Ten
All Time Series: Maryland leads, 13-7
Odds: Maryland -2 (DraftKings Sportsbook)
How to watch and listen
Friday, December 2, 9:00 PM ET, XFINITY Center, College Park, Md.
TV: Big Ten Network — Brandon Gaudin (play-by-play), Robbie Hummel (analyst)
Radio: 105.7 FM (Baltimore), 980 AM (D.C.) — Johnny Holliday (play-by-play), Chris Knoche (analyst), Walt Williams (sideline)
Streaming: SlingTV
Catch up before the game
No. 22 Maryland men’s basketball vs. No. 16 Illinois preview
No. 22 Maryland men’s basketball cruises to 79-54 win over Louisville in ACC/Big Ten Challenge
Three takeaways from No. 22 Maryland men’s basketball’s blowout win at Louisville
Testudo Times Podcast: Special guest Boomer Esiason joins
Maryland men’s basketball film breakdown: A look at Donta Scott’s terrific start
Maryland men’s basketball cracks AP poll for first time under Willard, landing at No. 23
Takeaways from Maryland men’s basketball’s impressive weekend performance
Maryland men’s basketball early-season notebook
MM 11.10: Maryland men’s and women’s basketball early signing day roundup
The 2022-23 Big Ten men’s basketball preview
Donta Scott is the key piece to Maryland men’s basketball’s puzzle
Under Grant Billmeier, Julian Reese and Maryland men’s basketball’s frontcourt look to make strides
Jahmir Young and Don Carey return home to Maryland to form Kevin Willard’s first starting backcourt