Oregon Ducks vs Illinois Fighting Illini Picks and Predictions January 2nd 2025

No. 9 Oregon Faces Tough Challenge Against No. 22 Illinois in Big Ten Clash

The ninth-ranked Oregon Ducks welcome No. 22 Illinois to Eugene on Thursday night for an early-season Big Ten showdown. Both teams bring strong records and complementary styles into what promises to be a tightly contested game.

Oregon’s Quest for Consistency

Despite a stellar 12-1 record, the Ducks are still chasing a complete performance. Guard Jackson Shelstad acknowledged this after Oregon’s dominant 89-49 win over Weber State, which capped an undefeated nonconference schedule.

“We feel like we haven’t put a full 40 minutes together all season,” Shelstad said.

Oregon’s defense has been a hallmark of their success. The Ducks rank among the nation’s best in 3-point defense and excel in creating turnovers, often turning those into offensive opportunities. Their offensive balance adds another layer of difficulty for opponents, as five players average double digits in scoring.

• Nate Bittle leads the team with 13.2 points and 8.5 rebounds per game, providing a strong inside presence.
• Shelstad contributes 10.8 points, while Villanova transfer TJ Bamba and Stanford transfer Brandon Angel average 10.4 and 10.3 points, respectively.

“Defenses can take out one or two guys, but if you’ve got five, six guys that can score … that makes a difference,” said Oregon coach Dana Altman.

Illinois’ Offensive Firepower and Defensive Prowess

The Fighting Illini (9-3, 1-1) are fresh off a 117-64 dismantling of Chicago State, where they showcased both their offensive depth and star power. Kasparas Jakucionis leads Illinois with 16.3 points per game, while 7-foot-1 center Tomislav Ivisic adds 14.7 points on 54 percent shooting.

Sunday’s win was highlighted by Kylan Boswell’s triple-double (18 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists), the first for an Illinois player since Marcus Domask’s in last year’s NCAA tournament.

“It speaks to the unselfishness,” Illini coach Brad Underwood said. “It’s really hard to do.”

Illinois’ defense has been as formidable as its offense. The team ranks:

• Third nationally in 3-point defense (26.9%)
• Sixth in 2-point defense (42.5%)

The Illini are also strong on the glass, limiting second-chance opportunities for opponents.

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Keys to the Game

• For Oregon: Maintaining their defensive intensity while continuing to share the ball offensively will be critical. Contributions from multiple players will be essential to counter Illinois’ star power.
• For Illinois: The Illini will rely on their defensive discipline and the interior presence of Ivisic to disrupt Oregon’s balanced attack. Jakucionis and Boswell will need to drive the offense and exploit any lapses in Oregon’s perimeter defense.

Historical Context

Illinois holds a 4-2 advantage in the all-time series, though Oregon claimed the most recent matchup 77-70 in Chicago in December 2014. This meeting marks a critical early test in conference play for both programs.

Outlook

With both teams excelling on defense and showcasing deep, talented rosters, this clash could come down to execution in key moments. Expect a highly competitive game that will serve as a measuring stick for two teams with postseason aspirations.