By IlliniGuys Staff

October 29, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Terrence Shannon Jr. scored 28 points as 25th ranked Illinois outplayed #1 Kansas 82-75 in an exhibition game at State Farm Center Sunday afternoon.

The matchup was part of a Maui Strong fundraiser to benefit the victims of the Maui wildfires earlier this summer and it marked the first game back for Kansas coach Bill Self, who coached the Illini for three seasons (2000-2003).

After a see-saw battle to start, Illinois took the lead for good on a Justin Harmon three-pointer at 19-17.  The Jayhawks managed to tie the game four times after that, but never took the lead.

Shannon scored 16 points in the first half to lead the Illini, including 4-of-6 from three point range, and continued to attack the rim in the second half. Coleman Hawkins added 14 and was 4-0f-9 from the three-point arc and added five rebounds.

The final minutes may have given Illini fans a glimpse of who will be playing late in games, as coach Brad Underwood opted to go with a very veteran lineups consisting of fifth-year seniors Shannon, Quincy Guerrier, Marcus Domask, and Justin Harmon along with Hawkins in the final 3:44.  Guerrier delivered 11 of his 13 points in the second half and Domask added 11 points.

Kevin McCullar Jr. led Kansas with 25 points, but was held to just seven points after halftime.  Hunter Dickinson scored 22 points, but remains winless all-time vs. Illinois.  Dickinson, who played for Michigan the last three seasons, lost all three regular season matchups with the Illini as a Big Ten foe.

Illinois announced an attendance of 12,592 as they raised $1 million for the fund.

After winning both exhibition games, the Illini open the regular season next Monday against Eastern Illinois.  It's a 7pm tipoff and can be seen on BTN Plus.

Stay with IlliniGuys.com for complete postgame coverage.