Overview
- Illinois enters 21-5 and 12-3 in the Big Ten, while USC is 18-7 and 7-7 with a 9-3 record at the Galen Center.
- Freshman David Mirkovic brings a nine-game double-figure streak after scoring 25 in a 71-51 win over Indiana.
- Illinois ranks second in the Big Ten at 38.3 rebounds per game, led by Mirkovic’s 8.0 boards.
- Andrej Stojakovic’s status is uncertain after a high-ankle sprain, and guard Kylan Boswell returned Sunday from a broken hand.
- USC leans on Alijah Arenas’ recent scoring burst, including 25 at Ohio State, and leading scorer Chad Baker-Mazara was day-to-day with a knee strain as bracket projections list the Trojans on the bubble.