UCLA looks to extend their winning streak to eight as they go on the road to take on Illinois.
Let's look at each team's resumes for the season.
Metric-based rankings: Net: #12, KenPom: #14, Barttorvik: #10, BPI: #13, and EvanMiya: #18
Key wins this season: Arkansas (80-72) in the Thanksgiving Hoops Showcase, Wisconsin (86-80), Missouri (80-77), @ Oregon (109-77), @ Washington (81-77), Penn State (91-52), @ Indiana (94-69), Northwestern (83-74), Ohio State (87-79), and @ Minnesota.
Quad one and two defeats this season: @ Alabama (87-100), @ Northwestern (66-70), Tennessee (64-66), USC (72-82), @ Michigan State (78-80), Maryland (70-91), @ Nebraska (74-80), @ Rutgers (73-82).
Metric-based rankings: NET: #25, KenPom: #25, EvanMiya: #30, Barttorvik: #22, and BPI: #26
Key wins this season: Washington (69-58), Arizona (57-54) in the Hall of Fame Rivalry, @ Oregon (73-71), Gonzaga (65-62) in the West Coast Hoops Showdown, Iowa (94-70), Wisconsin (85-83), @ Washington (65-60), Oregon (78-52), Michigan State (63-61), and Penn State (78-54).
Quad one and two defeats this season: New Mexico (64-72) on a neutral court, North Carolina (74-74) in the CBS Sports Classic, @ Nebraska (58-66), Michigan (75-94), @ Maryland (61-79), and @ Rutgers (68-75).
History between these two basketball programs.
From 1949, the all-time series record between Illinois and UCLA: The Bruins led the all-time series record 6-4 against the Fighting Illini.
The last five times they have played one another in basketball: Going back to their game in 1967, UCLA has won three of the previous five games they have played against each other.
The last meeting between the Bruins and the Fighting Illini: November 18th, 2022, Illinois defeated UCLA by a final score of 79-70 in the Continental Tire Main Event.
How both teams have been playing of late.
Illinois has lost five out of their last nine games. Prior to this stretch of games, the Fighting Illini were 12-3 overall and ranked No. 13 in the country. Three of those five losses were on the road and they have won three of their last five games. The Fighting Illini have shown vulnerability at home, suffering double-digit losses to USC and Maryland this season. However, the analytic metric rankings have Illinois ranked high as they have a strong strength of schedule and have some quality wins over good opponents this season.
UCLA is playing really well of late and they are looking to get their 8th straight win in Big Ten play. They have struggled this season in road games not along the West Coast in Big Ten play, having lost at Rutgers, Maryland, and Nebraska. However, this Bruins team looks to get a road win against the Fighting Illini.
Prediction for the game.
The UCLA Bruins can win this road game but Illinois, with the exception of a couple of games, plays well at home. It would not be shocking if UCLA wins on the road but Illinois is looking to make a statement and get a home win on their home floor. This game will be close throughout, but the Fighting Illini win this game by a score of 72-70 over the Bruins.