UConn vs. Illinois Prediction: Starting Lineup, Injuries, and More

High-powered Black Friday showdown at Madison Square Garden as No. 5 UConn’s balanced attack battles No. 13 Illinois’ deep, fast-paced offense and elite scoring wings.

November 28, 2025 | 10:30 AM EST

No. 13 Illinois and No. 5 UConn meet in a marquee Black Friday clash at Madison Square Garden, pitting one of the nation’s most explosive offenses against one of its most balanced, battle-tested contenders. It is UConn’s third top‑15 matchup in two weeks and Illinois’ latest chance to prove that its early scoring surge can translate against a blue-blood with championship expectations.

UConn vs. Illinois Matchup Preview

Illinois enters at 6‑1 in non‑conference play and is averaging 94.6 points per game while outscoring opponents by 24.9 points, numbers that place the Illini among the top scoring and efficiency profiles in the country. UConn is 5‑1 against non‑conference opponents and 4‑0 in games decided by at least 10 points, a sign that the Huskies still carry their familiar gear of separation when they get rolling.

From the perimeter, the numbers hint at a tight chess match. UConn averages 8.0 made threes per game, almost exactly matching the 8.1 threes that Illinois typically concedes, while Illinois hits 10.0 threes per night, far above the 4.8 that UConn usually allows. Those splits set up a test of whether Illinois’ volume and spacing can stretch a Husky defense that has thrived on running shooters off the line.

GAMEDAY.

🕧 12:30 p.m.
📍 New York, NY
🆚 Illinois
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— UConn Men’s Basketball (@UConnMBB) November 28, 2025

Illinois’ offensive profile is built on pace, spacing and pressure on the rim. The Illini sit in the top tiers nationally in offensive rebounding rate and bench scoring, rarely turn the ball over and allow a high volume of field‑goal attempts, which has inflated opponents’ shot totals even as Illinois holds firm in efficiency. They also commit the fewest fouls in the Big Ten, which matters against a UConn team that often relies on physical drives and post play to generate free throws.

MORE: Dan Hurley Reacts to Jim Mora Jr. Leaving UConn for CSU Despite $1.5M Contract Blow

For UConn, the emphasis falls on discipline and shot quality. After Arizona’s veteran backcourt of Jaden Bradley and Koa Peat combined for 37 points in a narrow UConn loss, slowing Boswell and Stojakovic’s downhill attacks becomes the central assignment for Hurley’s perimeter defenders. If the Huskies can stabilize the glass with a healthy Reed, free Ball with the shooting gravity of Mullins and rediscover their rhythm from three, they have the tools to blunt Illinois’ depth and turn MSG into a favorable stage once again.

Projected UConn vs. Illinois Starting Lineups

Illinois Fighting Illini

#2 Andrej Stojakovic – 18.5 ppg
#4 Kylan Boswell – 16.1 ppg
#00 David Mirkovic – 15.1 ppg, 10.3 rpg
#23 Keaton Wagler – 15 ppg
#13 Tomislav Ivisic – 10.8 ppg

UConn Huskies

#5 Tarris Reed Jr. – 20 ppg, 9.3 rpg
#11 Alex Karaban – 16.2 ppg
#1 Solo Ball – 15.4 ppg
#2 Silas Demary Jr. – 13 ppg
#3 Jaylin Stewart – 7.2 ppg

Alex Karaban continues to be UConn’s most reliable face, averaging 14.3 points and 5.2 rebounds while spacing the floor as a high‑efficiency shooter. Solomon Ball adds 14.2 points and 3.5 rebounds, and even through early inconsistency from deep, he remains a key creator who can punish single coverage and secondary defenders.

Illinois counters with one of the most dangerous one‑two perimeter punches in the sport. Andrej Stojakovic is averaging 18.5 points on 58.8 percent shooting, thriving as a straight‑line driver who turns gaps into layups and free throws, while Kylan Boswell contributes 16.1 points and a steady lead‑guard presence that drives late‑game execution. Together, they have taken nearly half of Illinois’ shots in the final three minutes this season, and Boswell already owns a clutch late lay‑in that sealed a win over Texas Tech.

This game may be UConn’s first chance all season to be close to full strength. Braylon Mullins and Tarris Reed Jr., both dealing with ankle injuries, were upgraded to game‑time decisions after finally returning to full practices, giving Dan Hurley the possibility of his entire 15‑man group being available.