University of Illinois
0-0,0-0Big Ten
Baylor (Exh.)
0-0,0-0Big 12
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baylor | 63 | 32 | 95 |
| Illinois | 44 | 47 | 91 |
October 23, 2026 | Men's Basketball
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The No. 3-ranked Fighting Illini were unable to overcome a blistering first-half shooting effort by Baylor, falling 95-91 in front of a sold-out State Farm Center despite a furious second-half comeback effort.
Illinois freshman G Quentin Coleman led the Orange and Blue with 20 points and seven rebounds, and added four assists, in his debut performance at home.
Sophomore G Stefan Vaaks spurred the Illini comeback effort with 18 points – 16 after the break – and a team-high five assists.
Senior G Andrej Stojakovic added 15 points before leaving the game with an injury, while classmate Jake Davis added 10 points and four assists.
The Bears, paced by 28 points from Isaac Williams and 24 points from Kayden Mingo, picked up their second preseason win after an 82-76 OT road win at preseason No. 1 Florida on Sunday. BU also got 15 points from both Isaac Celiscar and Brett Decker Jr.
The shorthanded Illini played their straight exhibition game without the team's top returning rebounder in preseason All-American David Mirkovic, and the Orange and Blue were outrebounded 47-38 in the contest.
Baylor led by as many as 22 points and took a 63-44 lead into halftime after shooting 11-for-18 (61.1%) from 3-point in the opening period. However, the Illini held BU without a 3-point make in the second half, and mounted a comeback effort that pulled the Orange and Blue to within three points in the final three minutes.
Next up, the Fighting Illini host UIC in the team's final exhibition game leading up to the regular-season opener. Tipoff vs. the Flames is set for 7 p.m. CT (B1G+) next Wednesday.
Illinois' regular-season tips off Monday, Nov. 2 vs. FDU (7 p.m. CT / BTN).
