How To Watch Illinois-Colgate, Lineups, Injury Report, Betting Lines

The Illinois Fighting Illini play host to the Colgate Raiders Sunday at State Farm Arena

Illinois v. Colgate Preview

Scouting Report: Colgate Raiders

After a tough three-game stretch away from home in which Illinois went 2-1 and a well deserved week off, the Fighting Illini welcome the Colgate Raiders to State Farm Center. Here is everything you need to know before tip-off!

Gametime: 12:00 P.M. CST

Where: State Farm Center – Champaign, IL

TV: Big Ten Network

Betting Lines: Illinois -15, O/U 144.5

Injury Report: Illinois point guard Niccolò Moretti (OUT – Foot)

Projected Starting Lineups

ILLINOIS

G Ty Rodgers

 G Terrance Shannon Jr

G/F Marcus Domask 

F Quincy Guerrier

F Coleman Hawkins

COLGATE

G Braeden Smith

G Nicolas Louis-Jacques

 F Ryan Moffatt

F Keegan Records

F Jeff Woodward

What to Expect

- Both teams are coming into the game with a week off. Shooting may be hard to come by for both teams early.

- The Illini attempted 36 3-point field goals in their seven-point loss to Tennessee. Look for the Illini to establish themselves in the paint early by having Marcus Domask back down the undersized Colgate guards.

- Brad Underwood had this to say in his pre-game media availability: “They’re an NCAA tournament team, they’re extremely well coached… this will be a Big Ten prep type team.” The Raiders have won the Patriot League 4 of the last 5 seasons and have made appearances in the last four NCAA tournaments (and would have competed in the 2020 tournament which was canceled). Coach Matt Langel has been with the Raiders since 2011-2012, which shows a winning culture with continuity.

Keys to the Game

- No Slow Starts: The Illini do not want to let the Raiders hang in there early and gain confidence.

- 3-Point Defense: The Raiders are shooting 36.7% from behind the arc this season. The Illini need to avoid letting them catch fire from deep.

- Win in the Paint: The Illini’s guards are significantly bigger, which will allow them to get downhill to the rim.

- Get Out in Transition: Terrance Shannon Jr has been unstoppable when he has room to get downhill and explode to the rim. 

A Week Off Gives Illinois Fighting Illini Time To Decompress Before Facing Colgate

Sam King is a contributor to Illini Now. He can be reached at sjking258@gmail.com.