The State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois, buzzed with anticipation on December 29, 2025, as the No. 20-ranked Illinois Fighting Illini hosted the Southern University Jaguars in a non-conference college basketball matchup. With tip-off set for 3:00 p.m. EST and the game broadcast on the Big Ten Network, fans and analysts alike eyed this contest as a potential tune-up for Illinois ahead of their Big Ten schedule. But even with Illinois heavily favored—by as many as 31.5 points according to bookmakers—there were plenty of storylines and statistical intrigue to keep everyone on their toes.
Illinois entered the game boasting a 9-3 record and an impressive national profile, while Southern University arrived in Champaign looking to snap a four-game losing streak and improve on their 4-8 season mark. The odds were stacked against the Jaguars, who were listed as +32.5 underdogs, and the over/under for the contest was set at 163.5 points. According to predictive models, Illinois had a 77.8% chance to win and a 63.8% likelihood to cover the spread, figures that reflected both teams’ recent performances and statistical trends.
For Illinois, the game presented an opportunity to flex their considerable size advantage. The Illini’s frontcourt featured two towering 7-foot-1 big men, Tomislav and Zvonimir Ivisic, who rotated to dominate the paint and keep fresh legs on the floor. Their presence, combined with a deep roster of athletic guards and forwards, made Illinois one of the most physically imposing teams in the Big Ten. The Illini’s rebounding prowess was well documented: they averaged 39.0 rebounds per game, ranking 16th in the nation, and regularly outrebounded opponents by more than 11 boards per contest. Last season, Illinois averaged 13.2 offensive rebounds per game—good for a tie at 11th best among all Division I teams.
But Southern University wasn’t about to roll over. The Jaguars, despite their underdog status, brought their own firepower and hustle to the hardwood. Southern averaged 35.0 rebounds per game, which placed them at No. 197 nationally, and they prided themselves on team rebounding. Malek Abdelgowad, the Jaguars’ 6-foot-10 forward, was a key player to watch, especially given his athleticism and ability to compete with Illinois’ size inside. Abdelgowad entered the game averaging 7.4 rebounds and 11.8 points per contest, making him Southern’s top rebounder and a vital presence in the paint.
On the perimeter, Southern University posed a credible threat as well. The Jaguars shot 36.3% from three-point range, the second-best mark in the SWAC, and averaged 8.1 made threes per game. Fazl Oshodi led the team with an average of 1.9 made threes per game, while Michael Jacobs, the Jaguars’ leading scorer, put up an impressive 20.9 points and 4.1 assists per outing. Jacobs’ scoring touch and ability to distribute made him a focal point of the Illini defense.
Illinois, meanwhile, continued to impress with their offensive firepower. The Illini averaged 88.1 points per game—33rd in college basketball—and outscored their opponents by an average of 18.5 points per contest. Their three-point shooting was a consistent weapon, with the team connecting on 10.3 threes per game at a 35.0% clip. Keaton Wagler led Illinois in scoring, averaging 15.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game, while also pacing the team with 2.2 made threes per contest. David Mirkovic anchored the glass, pulling down 8.5 rebounds per game, and Zvonimir Ivisic provided rim protection with 2.3 blocks per outing.
Another storyline heading into the matchup was the play of Illinois’ freshman guard Kylan Boswell. Touted as a potential NBA prospect, Boswell’s recent performances had been inconsistent—he’d scored as many as 20 points against Nebraska but was limited to single digits in other games. Over his last six outings, Boswell averaged just 3.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists, and shot a chilly 23.1% from beyond the arc. Illinois fans and coaches alike were eager to see if Boswell could find his rhythm against Southern and build momentum heading into the heart of conference play.
Defensively, Illinois looked to clamp down on Southern’s shooters and control the boards. The Illini allowed just 69.6 points per game, ranking 97th nationally, and held opponents to 32.8% from three-point range. Their defensive efficiency was among the best in the Big Ten, conceding only 87.6 points per 100 possessions. Southern, for their part, scored 98.1 points per 100 possessions but struggled to contain opponents, allowing 94.9 points per 100 possessions and 82.6 points per game overall—one of the higher marks in Division I.
Despite the statistical mismatch, Illinois head coach Brad Underwood cautioned against complacency, especially coming off the holiday break. "We can’t afford to play with our food," he was quoted as saying before the game. "Southern, while not a very good team, can put points on the board. If we let one player, like Michael Jacobs, go off, this game could end up being uncomfortably close toward the end."
As tip-off approached, the focus was on whether Illinois could avoid a sluggish start and maintain their intensity throughout. The Illini were expected to build a double-digit lead by halftime, but Southern’s history of covering the first-half spread and hitting the over in away games suggested they wouldn’t go quietly. The Jaguars had covered the first-half spread in 16 of their last 29 games, and their games often went over the total—12 of their last 19 away contests had hit the over.
In the end, the game offered a valuable measuring stick for both squads. For Illinois, it was a chance to fine-tune their rotations, build confidence for young players like Boswell, and reinforce habits on the glass and defensive end. For Southern, it was an opportunity to battle against a nationally ranked opponent and test their mettle before returning to SWAC play.
As the action unfolded at State Farm Center, all eyes remained on the scoreboard and the stat sheet. Would Illinois deliver the dominant performance everyone expected, or could Southern’s shooters and rebounders keep things interesting? With Big Ten play looming for the Illini and a long season ahead for the Jaguars, this non-conference clash was more than just another game—it was a critical checkpoint in the journey for both programs.
With the outcome still developing, fans and analysts alike watched closely for signs of consistency, resilience, and the kind of execution that separates contenders from pretenders. The holiday break was over, and for Illinois and Southern, the real work was just beginning.
