Illinois tips off the Big Ten season at home Friday night. Expectations for the Illini are still high, even after dropping out of the AP Top 25 this week.
Expectations have always been to win the Big Ten in March, and the road to the championship starts in December. After beating Notre Dame on Monday, Illinois has a chance to continue to right the ship and start the conference season off on the right foot.
The Scarlet Knights
Rutgers is coached by Steve Pikiell in his sixth season and the team is coming off its first tournament berth since 1991.