Illinois Basketball vs. Baylor: 3 Matchup Keys to Watch in Exhibition

Illinois basketball scored 105 points against Cincinnati, and the offense already looks capable of carrying a team with Final Four aspirations. Brad Underwood went deep into his bench and saw plenty of upside, led by Andrej Stojaković’s 24 points, Stefan Vaaks’ 19 points, and freshman Quentin Coleman’s 14 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds. The bigger story may have been the pace. Illinois reached 80 possessions against Cincinnati after never reaching 70 in a game all of last season. This new-look offense appears ready to push the tempo, put pressure on defenses and create more opportunities before opponents can get set.

Friday’s exhibition against Baylor at State Farm Center offers an early test. The Bears are coming off an 82-76 overtime win over Florida, and their new-look roster has a backcourt that could expose the same defensive issues Illinois showed against Cincinnati.

Baylor’s got a tough backcourt with Kayden and Dylan Mingo

The headliner is Kayden Mingo, a Penn State transfer who erupted for 31 points, eight rebounds, and four assists against Florida. He shot 9-of-15 from the field and attempted 15 free throws, showing how effectively he can pressure a defense and get into scoring position. His younger brother, Dylan Mingo, added 12 points and eight rebounds, giving Baylor another guard capable of making plays.

The Mingo brothers are an intriguing pairing, but they aren’t the only players Illinois needs to account for.

What makes this matchup more interesting is that Baylor is not simply a two-guard team. Scott Drew has put together a roster with a mix of transfers, young talent and players who can fill different roles. Isaac Williams IV scored 17 points against Florida, while Yale transfer Isaac Celiscar gives the Bears another forward to work into the rotation.

Dylan Mingo is especially intriguing. The 6-foot-5 freshman was rated the No. 2 overall prospect in the 2026 class by Rivals and brings a different dimension to Baylor’s backcourt with his size and playmaking ability. His eight rebounds against Florida were a reminder that he can influence a game without having to score every possession.

What Illinois basketball has to do

Against Cincinnati, Illinois basketball allowed too many opportunities for the opposition to get downhill. Baylor has the personnel to make those mistakes costly. If the on-ball defender gets caught behind a screen and the big man doesn’t provide enough resistance, Kayden Mingo can attack the paint, draw fouls or force help defenders to leave their assignments. Dylan’s size and Williams’ shooting give Baylor additional ways to capitalize.

Illinois doesn’t need to eliminate every drive, but it needs to make Baylor work for its offense. Better communication, more disciplined rotations and keeping the ball out of the middle would be a good start.

There is another opportunity for the Illini on the glass. Florida grabbed 26 offensive rebounds against Baylor, a number that should get Illinois’ attention. The Illini have the size to make their presence felt inside, and second-chance opportunities could be a valuable way to offset Baylor’s guard play.

Friday’s exhibition tips off at 7 p.m. CT on October 23 at State Farm Center in Champaign. The game will stream on B1G+. Illinois enters after its 105-96 win over Cincinnati, while Baylor arrives following its overtime victory over Florida.

The result matters less than the progress. The offense has already shown it can score in bunches. Now the Illini get a backcourt with the talent to expose any defensive weaknesses.

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