Illinois Fighting Illini vs Chicago State Cougars Picks and Predictions December 29th 2024

No. 24 Illinois Pushes Guards; Next Up is Winless Chicago State

The Illinois Fighting Illini continue to hone their game with a formula that emphasizes intense competition during practice. That focus has translated into a strong start to their season as they prepare to face winless Chicago State on Sunday afternoon in Champaign, Ill.

Guard Competition Fuels Illinois’ Success

Illinois coach Brad Underwood has made it a habit to pit his guards against each other in practice, fostering a competitive environment. This approach worked wonders in past seasons with players like Ayo Dosunmu and Trent Frazier. Now, Underwood is applying the same strategy with starting guards Kylan Boswell and Kasparas Jakucionis.

Boswell and Jakucionis delivered standout performances in Illinois’ thrilling 80-77 Braggin’ Rights victory over Missouri on Dec. 22. They combined for 37 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists, with Jakucionis notching 21 points for his sixth consecutive 20-point game.

“I play them opposite each other so they can just exhaust each other and beat each other up,” Underwood said. “It makes them better every day.”

Jakucionis leads the team with 16.5 points per game on 46.8 percent shooting, while Boswell contributes 10.6 points and 3.5 assists per game. Their development has been crucial to Illinois’ strong 8-3 start.

Team Performance and Potential

Illinois is averaging 83.6 points per game, but the team’s shooting percentages—43.3 percent from the field and 32.3 percent from beyond the arc—suggest room for improvement. Players like Tomislav Ivisic (13.9 ppg) and Will Riley (12.5 ppg) provide additional offensive firepower, ensuring a balanced attack.

The Illini’s Sunday opponent, Chicago State, may offer an opportunity to improve efficiency.

Struggles for Chicago State

The Cougars (0-14) have endured a challenging season under first-year coach Scott Spinelli, who took over after Gerald Gillion’s departure. Spinelli has introduced a faster-paced style, but it has yet to yield results. Chicago State ranks last in Division I in field-goal percentage (35.1) and third-worst in scoring (59.6 points per game).

Key players like Jalen Forrest (9.1 ppg) and Cameron Jernigan (4.5 rebounds per game) have struggled to lead the team offensively. The Cougars are also among the bottom teams in categories such as free-throw percentage, three-point percentage, assists, and turnovers.

“We want to have guys out there that can get up and down the floor,” Spinelli said earlier this year. However, translating that vision to success on the court remains a work in progress.

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What to Watch

The matchup offers Illinois a chance to fine-tune its game before resuming Big Ten play. Fans will likely focus on continued growth from Boswell and Jakucionis, as well as potential improvements in shooting efficiency. For Chicago State, any signs of progress against a ranked opponent would provide a boost during a difficult season.