CHICAGO (Interstat) — The undefeated Illinois Fighting Illini will put their perfect record on the line Wednesday night when they host the Alabama Crimson Tide in a non-conference men’s basketball showdown at LeClaire Park.

Illinois (4-0) is off to a strong start, coming off an 84-65 victory over Colgate on Friday. Forward David Mirkovic was dominant in that win, posting 27 points and 21 rebounds. The Illini have also secured a quality win over Texas Tech, 81-77, demonstrating their ability to handle high-major competition.

Alabama (2-1) arrives in Chicago looking to rebound from its first loss of the season, an 87-80 home defeat to Purdue last Thursday. Despite the loss, guard Aden Holloway shined, scoring 21 points. The Crimson Tide’s offense has been potent, averaging over 91 points per game, including a 103-point outburst in a win at Saint John’s.

The matchup pits Alabama’s high-scoring attack against an Illinois team that has held three of its first four opponents to 70 points or fewer. The game serves as a key early-season test for both programs before each embarks on a challenging stretch. Alabama faces Gonzaga in Las Vegas next, while Illinois prepares for a marquee matchup at Connecticut.

Tipoff is set for Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025.