Illinois Men’s Basketball Shows Promise in Early Season Win Over Portland State

Can't Wait For Saturday My pick: Blazers hang for a half, then Illini pull away

Sep. 2—*** I am pausing the conference countdown for a day — it is down to the final three — to reveal my Illinois-UAB pick. After a thorough look at scouting reports (not really), my pick is ... Illinois 45, UAB 17. Bret Bielema reminded reporters Tuesday that the Blazers are far from pushovers and opened the Alex Mortensen era with an upset win against ranked Memphis. True story. My hunch is ...