College Basketball Game of the Week: Illinois vs. Texas
The No. 17 Illinois Fighting Illini travel to New York City and take on No. 2 Texas Longhorns in the Jimmy V Classic on Dec. 6. The Fighting Illini direct their sights on spoiling the Longhorns’ perfect 6-0 record early in the season.
Sit back, relax and tune in to one of college basketball’s most-anticipated matchups of the week.
No. 2 Texas Longhorns (6-0)
The Longhorns are arguably the hottest team in college basketball this season as they sit as a picture perfect 6-0 to begin the 2022-23 campaign. Led by coach Chris Beard, Texas has its intentions on taking home back-to-back titles.
But to be the best, you have to beat the best. And that’s what the Longhorns have been doing.
Texas sits atop the national rankings with wins against previous No. 2 Gonzaga and No. 7 Creighton earlier this season.
Their next high-pressure battle is arguably their toughest yet: the Illinois FIghting Illini. With a win, Beard can lead Texas to a perfect record as they trend towards Big 12 conference play on Dec. 31 against Oklahoma.
The No. 2 ranked team in the nation is led by Iowa State-transfer Tyrese Hunter. Hunter leads the team with 16.0 points per game while averaging 3.7 assists per game. The dynamic duo of Hunter and senior guard Marcus Carr rank among the best in the nation.
Carr, a Minnesota transfer, puts up 15.5 points per game on 4.2 assists per game while leading with his experience. Another transfer that has made his mark on the court is New Mexico State-transfer Sir’Jabari Rice. Rice, a senior, scored 10.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists per gamr.
The Longhorns are playing very unselfish and team-first basketball. As CBS Sports insider Jon Rothstein says, ‘Mess with the beard, you get the horns.’
No. 17 Illinois Fighting Illini (6-2)
In one of college basketball’s most competitive conferences, the Big Ten, Illinois led by coach Brad Underwood strives to take home a conference championship. As the Fighting Illini have a strong ranked win against previous No. 8 UCLA, the team does have some pivotal losses.
Opening up conference play on the road against coach Mark Turgeon and No. 22 Maryland, the Illini gave it their all in College Park but fell short 71-66.
A four-game stretch of Syracuse, Maryland, No. 2 Texas and yes, Penn State isn't easy, but the Illini have the roster to shake up the power rankings.
Star player, senior guard Texas Tech-transfer Terrence Shannon Jr. leads the team in a plethora of offensive statistical categories. Shannon Jr., ranks first on the Illini with 19.8 PPG and also has 6.4 RPG and 3.5 APG.
The 6-foot-6 play-maker is poised to be named an All-American at the conclusion of the season.
The experience and leadership of Shannon Jr. trickles down the Illini roster as other stars, and role players are thriving as well. Baylor-transfer Dain Dianja and forward Coleman Hawkins rank among the top point-scorers for the Illini with 11.1 and 10.1 points per game, respectively.
In a battle of top-ranked teams in Austin, the matchup on Dec. 7 will be one to watch for.
Prediction: Texas to win
Jasper Abrahams is a first-year student majoring in Public Relations. To contact him, please email jpa5778@psu.edu.
