Welcome to “This Week in Illini Athletics,” a weekly review of the past week of Illini sports and a preview of the week to come.
MEN’S BASKETBALL (6-2 Overall, 1-0 Big Ten)
Last Week: After a rocky start to the season, the Illini played their best basketball yet in wins over Notre Dame and Rutgers at State Farm Center. Illinois hosted the Fighting Irish for the Big Ten-ACC Challenge on Monday, defeating them 82-72. The Illini got out to a 16-point lead early in the second half, but Notre Dame cut that all the way to five before Illinois pulled away at the end.