Game Preview: Illini at #14 Maryland

By Brad Sturdy - IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst & Co-Host, IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular

February 2, 2025

The Illini are back at home after the forgettable loss in Lincoln and need a win over a surging Ohio State Buckeyes team that has won 3 in a row including 2 on the road. Illinois has lost 4 of 6, but have been without one of their stars in each game due to injury, illness or foul trouble. Can they right the ship at home? 7’1 Center Tomislav Ivisic is listed as questionable, but odds are that he will not play again on Sunday as he works himself back into shape.

Regardless, Illinois will have to play much better offensively on Sunday if they want to get the win. Here’s a peek at what to expect.

Setting the Stage

#18 Illinois (14-7, 6-5) vs. Ohio State (13-8, 5-5)
Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025 // 12 p.m. CT // Champaign, Ill. // State Farm Center
TV: CBS – Kevin Harlan (Play-by-Play) & Jim Spanarkel (Analyst)
Radio: Busey Bank Illini Sports Network – Brian Barnhart (Play-By-Play) & Deon Thomas National Radio: Compass Media Networks – Matt Smith (Play-By-Play) & Robert Horry (Analyst)

Podcasts

IlliniGuys NCAA Tournament Selection Bracket Breakdown Show - #472

Listen

Illinois Fighting Illini Smashed by Maryland Terrapins in the B1G Tourney - #471

Listen

Illinois Fighting Illini Defeat Iowa Hawkeyes in B1G Tourney Opener - #470

Listen

The Next 5 Years Are the Most Important in the History of Illini Athletics

Listen

IlliniGuys B1G Men’s Basketball Tournament Preview - #469

Listen

Mar 7 - Hr2 - S4Ep30 - Floyd Mayweather, Jimmy Johnson, Serena, LeBron & Game Predictions

Listen

Mar 7 - Hr1 - S4Ep30 - Illini vs Purdue, Illini Women in B1G Tourney, Illini NIL & the Next Cinderella

Listen

Illinois Fighting Illini Outscore Purdue Boilermakers 13-1 in the Last 1:57 to Win 88-80 - #468

Listen

Illinois Fighting Illini Blast Michigan Wolverines 93-73 for 9th in a Row Over Michigan - #467

Listen

Feb 28 - Hr2 - S4Ep29 - B1G Hoops, Spring Football's Future, Boxing Update and Game Predictions

Listen

Feb 28 - Hr1 - S4Ep29 - Illini Hoops Update, Illini Golf, Genesis Bryant & College Hoops

Listen

Illinois Fighting Illini Defeat Iowa Hawkeyes 81-61. Are the Illini Back on Track? #466

Listen

What is Wrong with the Illini Men’s Basketball Team?

Listen

Illinois Fighting Illini Destroyed by Duke Blue Devils 110-67 at MSG - #464

Listen

Feb 21 - Hr2 - S4Ep28 - Bielema, Big Race & Game Predictions

Listen