Why Illinois is ready potential road game feel in March Madness
These Illini are battle-tested.
GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA - MARCH 21: Andrej Stojakovic #2 of the Illinois Fighting Illini laughs after scoring during the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament held at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 21, 2026 in Greenville, South Carolina. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) | NCAA Photos via Getty Images Illinois got quite the draw in the Sweet Sixteen. While an opportunity to play Big Ten foe Nebraska or Iowa in the Elite Eight (with a trip to the Final Four on the line) awaits the Illini, first they have to get by No.
2 Houston… in Houston. Thursday night’s late tip will be in the Toyota Center — not the Cougars’ home arena, the Fertitta Center — but it’s still in Houston’s backyard. We thought it could be worthwhile to see how Illinois has stacked up on the road and at neutral sites in recent seasons — and what that could tell us about their chances on Thursday.
Road Games: 2025-26: 8-2 Losses: MSU, UCLA 2024-25: 5-5 Losses: Northwestern, MSU, Nebraska, Rutgers, Wisconsin 2023-24: 6-5 Losses: Tennessee, Purdue, Northwestern, MSU, PSU Neutral Sites: 2025-26: 4-3 Losses: Alabama (UC), UCONN (MSG), Wisconsin (BTT) 2024-25: 4-4 Losses: Alabama (Birmingham), Duke (MSG), Maryland (BTT), Kentucky (NCAAT) 2023-24: 8-1 Loss: UCONN (NCAAT) So, what can we glean from the data? Well, Illinois, in my opinion, is improving when it comes to playing away from State Farm Center. We still get on the Illini over every loss at home because, in our mind, they should have an elite home court advantage and never lose in Champaign.
Unlike the days in the early 2000s, that hasn’t always been the case. However, where Brad Underwood has thrived is in building a team built to compete outside of Champaign — and one that thrives in those environments. Look at true road games, for example.