Nov 20, 2024; Birmingham, AL, USA; Alabama guard Labaron Philon (0) scores at the rim with Illinois center Tomislav Ivisic (13) defending in the CM Newton Classic at Legacy Arena. Alabama defeated Illinois 100-87. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News

Alabama basketball's nonconference schedule doesn't let up. The Crimson Tide (2-1) have already played then-No. 6 St. John's (a 103-96 win) and No. 1 Purdue (an 87-80 loss). Up next? No. 8 Illinois... and then there's No. 12 Gonzaga and No. 5 Arizona still on the schedule.

We'll know plenty about Nate Oats' team before we even sniff SEC play.

Alabama is led by its dynamic backcourt of Aden Holloway (21 ppg), Labaron Philyor (19.3 ppg, 6.0 apg) and Latrell Wrightsell (11.5 ppg). Rebounding was an issue against the rugged Boilermakers, and the Illini (4-0) will present a similar problem with 6-9 David Mirkovic (18.5 ppg, 12.5 rpg) and 7-2 Zvonimir Ivisic (6.5 rpg).

Tomislav Ivisic, another 7-footer and preseason All-Big Ten honorable mention pick, suffered a knee injury in practice Nov. 5 and has only featured in Illinois' season-opener. Even without him, Illinois was able to beat 11th-ranked Texas Tech behind 22 points from Kylan Boswell and 23 points off the bench from Andrej Stojakovic (Peja's kid).

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What channel is Alabama vs Illinois on today?

  • TV Channel: FS1
  • Livestream: Fubo (free trial)

Alabama vs. Illinois will broadcast nationally on FS1 as part of a midweek doubleheader, following the Arizona vs. UConn game.

Alabama vs Illinois time today

  • Date: Wednesday, Nov. 19
  • Start time: 9 p.m.

The Alabama vs. Illinois game starts at 9 p.m. EST from the United Center in Chicago.

Will Tomislav Ivisic play today vs Alabama?

Tomislav Ivisic, another 7-footer and preseason All-Big Ten honorable mention pick, suffered a knee injury in practice Nov. 5 and has only featured in Illinois' season-opener. Illini coach Brad Underwood said there's no timeline for Ivisic's return. "Tomi's deal, like I said, is a little bit more complex, just simply because he's missed a lot and the conditioning piece plays into that," Underwood said Nov. 12.

Alabama vs Illinois predictions, picks, odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Monday, Nov. 17.

  • Illinois 76, Alabama 70: Both teams averaged more than 10 made 3s a game so far this young season, so expect plenty of long-range shots. Kylan Boswell is hitting 43.5% of his 3s so far, and Illinois' big men Zvonimir Ivisic and David Mirkovic each have six makes from distance so far. Illinois is still without guard Mihailo Petrovic, who was expected to start, and 2023-24 starter Ty Rodgers, so Alabama should have the backcourt edge. The question is can the Tide limit Illini's second-chance opportunities — something they couldn't do against Purdue.
  • Spread: Illinois -3.5
  • Over/under: 181.5
  • Moneyline: Illinois -170

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Where to watch Alabama vs Illinois basketball today: Time, TV channel, prediction

Reporting by Matthew Glenesk, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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