Illinois basketball fans, this Southern Jaguars matchup isn’t just a tune-up—it’s a real gut check before the Big Ten gauntlet begins. The Illini are riding high after crushing Missouri, but Southern, despite their record, is battle-tested and led by a red-hot scorer in Michael Jacobs. Their unpredictable defense and tough schedule mean they’re no pushover. For Illinois, it’s all about sharpening habits, building chemistry, and not letting holiday rust turn an “easy win” into a nail-biter. How do you think the Illini should approach this final non-conference game? Let’s hear your game predictions and what you want to see from the team! #Sports #Illini #IllinoisBasketball