Who Will Illinois Basketball Play in the Gavitt Games?

Who Will Illinois Basketball Play in the Gavitt Games?

Illinois Basketball’s Gavitt Game match up has been announced. Per Jon Rothstein, Illinois will play the Marquette Golden Eagles in one of the more interesting early season matchups of the season. This will be a rematch of the 2021 Gavitt games that saw Illinois lose in absolutely painful fashion in Milwaukee. Illinois was still playing without Kofi Cockburn at the time, due to a rather silly suspension. However, Illinois played an absolute stinker of a game. Trent Frazier looked banged up and Andre Curbelo just did not have it. In Shaka Smart’s first season at Marquette, they were able to sneak away with a victory.

The Golden Eagles are coming off an impressive season. Though they lost in the round of 32 to Michigan State, Marquette won the Big East and earned themselves a 2 seed. They practically return all of their key players, so they will be a top of the line team once again.

Looking at the other Gavitt Games

The Big Ten and Big East are impressive conferences. Though they typically lack postseason success outside of Villanova, the Big East consistently enters 5-6 teams into the big dance. UConn, who is the reigning national champions, did not even win their conference. In fact, they were fourth. The Gavitt games are early on, hence teams are not fully into their own, however I do feel like they are more entertaining than the ACC/B1G Ten challenge.

Illinois vs Marquette seems to be the most appetizing matchup outside of Xavier taking on Purdue at Mackey Arena. I think Illinois and Marquette will play a more fast-paced, exciting brand compared to Zach Edey vs a very defensive oriented Xavier basketball team. Iowa vs Creighton boasts two of the best offensive programs attempting to shoot it out. Though it would have been interesting to see if Illinois could play Georgetown given how the Jayden Epps saga went down, I think Illinois got themselves an early season opportunity for a statement win AT HOME.

Early season test.

Brad Underwood has always found a way to schedule interesting early season games. This past season, UCLA and Texas were highlights of the season. Additionally, Illinois has played teams like Arizona, Duke and others to grab fan’s attention early. Though I do think Illinois will have trouble with Marquette, given their continuity and experience, Illinois has a chance to surprise us.

At the end of the day, it is tough to gauge how next season will go, given the Big Decisions to me made. However, Illinois Basketball will always be on a big stage.