The Sam Houston Bearkats travel to face the Illinois Fighting Illini at the State Farm Center. This non-conference game is set for November 13, 2026, at 7:00 PM ET. Both teams hold a 2-1 record for the current season.
Sam Houston recently beat Pepperdine, scoring 85 points at home. Players like Jacobe Coleman and Enel St. Bernard have shown strong performances in their recent games. The Bearkats aim to continue their solid form on the road.
Illinois holds the #3 rank in the AP poll and competes in the Big Ten. They recently lost to Texas Tech by six points but had a significant victory over Penn with a 112-70 score. Quentin Coleman and Andrej Stojakovic are key players to watch for the Illini.
Illinois vs Sam Houston At a Glance
- Game Location: State Farm Center, Champaign IL
- Date & Time: Friday, November 13, 2026 at 7:00 PM ET
- TV Coverage: B1G+
- Illinois Ranking: #3 in AP Poll
- Illinois Moneyline: -30000
- Sam Houston Spread: +36.5
Illinois Fighting Illini Gear Up for Upcoming Game
Offensive Performance
The Illinois Fighting Illini have been strong on offense this season. They average 103.3 points per game, ranking ninth nationally. Their effective field goal percentage stands at 63.9, placing them 13th.
The team attempts 72 field goals per game, which is 18th in the nation. Their two-point percentage is particularly high at 76.9, the best in the country. However, their free throw percentage is a concern at 56.9, ranking them 468th.
Key Players
Andrej Stojakovic is leading the team with 21 points per game. His field goal percentage is impressive at 61.5. Quentin Coleman is another key player, contributing 17 points per game and shooting 60.6% from the field.
Ethan Brown has been effective, averaging 10 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. Stefan Vaaks also adds value with 13.7 points per game. These players form a solid core for the Illini.
Recent Game Insights
In their recent outing against Texas Tech, Illinois scored 78 points but fell short by 6. Quentin Coleman stood out with 19 points and 77.8% shooting. Andrej Stojakovic also contributed with 18 points.
Their previous game against Penn resulted in a dominant 42-point win. Andrej Stojakovic led with 25 points, while Ethan Brown added 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Injury Concerns
The team is facing injury challenges. Jake Davis is out with a shoulder injury and will be sidelined indefinitely. David Mirkovic is doubtful due to a foot injury, affecting the team's depth.
Illinois Betting Trends
- SU Last 3: 2-1 (66.7%)
- SU as Favorite: 2-1 (66.7%)
- ATS Last 3: 2-1 (66.7%)
- ATS as Favorite: 2-1 (66.7%)
- O/U Last 3: 2-1 (66.7%)
Sam Houston Bearkats Poised for Another High-Scoring Game
Offensive Strengths
The Bearkats score an average of 87.0 points per game. This ranks them 97th in scoring. They attempt 66.3 field goals per game, indicating an aggressive approach.
Despite their high scoring, they shoot only 44.2% from the field. This places them at 227th in field goal percentage. Their effective field goal percentage stands at 51.3%.
Rebounding Edge
Sam Houston excels in rebounding. They grab 51.7 rebounds per game, which ranks 5th overall. This strength helps them maintain possession and create second-chance opportunities.
Their focus on rebounding is a key aspect of their game plan. It allows them to compensate for their lower shooting accuracy.
Defensive Overview
On defense, the Bearkats average 6.0 steals per game. This ranks them 137th in steals. Their defense is aggressive, causing turnovers and disrupting the opposition's rhythm.
However, they struggle with blocking shots, averaging 4.3 blocks per game. They must improve in this area to enhance their defensive presence.
Key Players to Watch
Jacobe Coleman leads the team in scoring with 16.3 points per game. His performance is crucial for the team's success. Aidan McDowell closely follows with 16.0 points per game, adding depth to their offense.
Matt Dann and Enel St. Bernard are strong on the boards, averaging 7.0 and 7.3 rebounds respectively. Their efforts are vital in controlling the paint.
Injury Report
Justin Begg and Nathan Nguyen are out for the season with injuries. This impacts the team's depth and rotation. Cheikh Sadibou Ndiaye is also unavailable due to an arm injury.
Betting Trends
- SU Last 3: 2-1 (66.7%)
- SU as Underdog: 1-1 (50.0%)
- ATS Last 3: 2-0-1 (66.7%)
- ATS as Underdog: 2-0 (100.0%)
- O/U Last 3: 1-1 (50.0%)
Illinois vs Sam Houston Prediction: Sam Houston +36.5
Illinois comes into this game ranked third in the nation, bringing a high-powered offense that scores over 100 points per game. They have shown strength at home with a perfect record so far this season. However, covering a spread as large as 36.5 can be challenging, even for a top team like Illinois.
Sam Houston has performed well against the spread this season, particularly as an underdog. Their scoring ability, averaging 87 points per game, could help them keep the game within the spread. Their rebounding prowess, ranking fifth nationally, might also limit Illinois' second-chance opportunities.
The Bearkats have demonstrated resilience in their play, remaining competitive in previous games despite being on the road. With a spread of +36.5, they have a significant cushion. This makes Sam Houston a solid pick to cover the spread against Illinois.
While Illinois is likely to win, Sam Houston's ability to score and defend the boards may keep them within the spread. A projected final score could be Illinois 95 - Sam Houston 65, which still allows the Bearkats to cover the spread.
- Illinois vs Sam Houston Prediction: Sam Houston +36.5
- Illinois vs Sam Houston Score: Illinois 95 - Sam Houston 65
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