Illinois Basketball Prepares for Exhibition Matchup Against Baylor

The University of Illinois men's basketball team is preparing for its second exhibition contest of the preseason, hosting the Baylor Bears in Champaign. Following a road victory over the Cincinnati Bearcats last weekend, the Illini are using these early matchups to fine-tune their roster before the regular season begins.

Illini head coach Brad Underwood noted that Friday's game will feature different lineup strategies compared to the previous weekend. While many players are still expected to see playing time, Underwood plans to test specific player combinations rather than relying on random substitutions.

"It's with the mindset that we're going to play a lot of people anyway, so it wasn't that far off," Underwood said. "I think I'll look at more combinations than I will just random substitutions and getting guys in the game."

Unlike the matchup against Cincinnati, where the Illini had minimal preparation material due to it being the season's opening action, the coaching staff has been able to review game tape on Baylor. This allows the team to practice strategic adjustments and focus on tactical decisions during gameplay.

Baylor enters the exhibition following a win over Florida and features a potent backcourt led by guards Kayden and Dylan Mingo. Underwood highlighted the backcourt's dual threat in shooting and driving. The Illini previously faced the older Mingo brother last season when he played for Penn State.

Building defensive communication remains a primary focus for Illinois during these early contests. Underwood emphasized that establishing defensive chemistry is one of the most challenging tasks at this stage of the year, making exhibition reps invaluable for the squad.

Tipoff for the exhibition game between Illinois and Baylor is scheduled for 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on Big Ten Plus.