CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) – The No. 25 Illinois Fighting Illini are set to host Maryland-Eastern Shore on Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. at State Farm Center.
Illinois is coming off a 100-87 loss to No. 8 Alabama in Alabama on Wednesday. Following Saturday’s game, the Illini remain home for a Monday night matchup against Little Rock before traveling to Kansas City against No. 20 Arkansas in the Thanksgiving Hoops Showcase at T-Mobile Center.
The Illini cracked the AP Top 25 for the first time this season on Monday, landing at No. 25 while maintaining a No. 20 spot in the coaches poll. Head Coach Brad Underwood has now guided Illinois to a national ranking for a sixth consecutive season. This year’s roster is dramatically different following Illinois’ 2024 Elite Eight run and Big Ten Tournament Championship.
Saturday’s game marks the second-ever meeting between Illinois and Maryland-Eastern Shore. The Illini defeated the Hawks 85-43 at State Farm Center on Dec. 11, 2003, behind standout performances from Roger Powell (19 points) and Luther Head (16 points).