Illinois Fighting Illini Face UTRGV in Key Matchup

Champaign, Illinois – The No. 13 Illinois Fighting Illini (5-1) will play against the UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros (2-3) on Monday, November 24, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET, live on the Big Ten Network.

The Illini enter this game as heavy favorites, with a spread of 33.5 points. The total points for the matchup is set at 164.5.

Illinois is coming off a commanding victory over Long Island, where they won by 40 points. Their head coach, Brad Underwood, emphasized the importance of focusing on UTRGV after their recent win. ‘The next one’s the important one,’ Underwood said. ‘I’ve had it marked on my calendar since the schedule came out.’

The Vaqueros have struggled with a 2-3 record but showed resilience in their previous games. They narrowly lost to Baylor in their season opener, showing they can compete against stronger teams. UTRGV’s coach, Kahil Fennell, has made significant progress since taking over the program, increasing their wins from six to 16 in his first season.

UTRGV is led by graduate transfer Marvin McGhee III, who averages 15 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. His performance and ability to shoot effectively make him a key player for Illinois to monitor. Additionally, UTRGV promotes a team-oriented offensive style, moving the ball quickly and looking for open shots.

As the Illini prepare for the game, Underwood plans to maintain a disciplined approach with his players. He aims to enhance team cohesion and ensure that the squad remains focused, avoiding any slip-ups from their previous success.

With a strong lineup and focused strategy, Illinois hopes to establish dominance early in the game and build momentum heading into a crucial matchup against No. 3 UConn later in the week.