Overview
- Labaron Philon Jr. scored 24 points for Alabama, including 10 in the final 2:24 to close out the neutral-site victory in Chicago.
- Illinois got 26 points from Andrej Stojaković and 22 from Kylan Boswell, while freshman David Mirkovic added a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double.
- Keitenn Bristow returned for Alabama to post 10 points and eight rebounds off the bench, and Houston Mallette sealed it with late free throws.
- After being overpowered on the glass by Purdue, Alabama held its own against Illinois’ size and controlled the second half to secure the result.
- The Crimson Tide improved to 3-1 and the Illini fell to 4-1 at the United Center, with Alabama heading next to face Gonzaga at the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas.