The national media is quite enamored with the Fighting Illini. Many outlets have picked Illinois to finish atop the Big Ten. But as we know, this conference is stacked. The Illini won’t be the pleasant surprise they were last year. They have a lot to prove, and the league schedule will test their mental and physical toughness. Here’s how the Big Ten slate stacks up, in chronological order.
Minnesota Golden Gophers (2019-20 Record: 15-16; 8-12 Big Ten): Illinois tips off Big Ten play Dec. 15 at State Farm Center against Minnesota. Don’t let the Gophers’ 2019 record fool you.