The 8th-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide find themselves in a rebound phase as they prepare to face the No. 25 Illinois Fighting Illini in the 2024 C.M. Newton Classic. This highly anticipated Wednesday night matchup is set to kick off at 9 p.m. ET (8 p.m. CT), with TV coverage on the SEC Network and live streaming available on-demand.

Live Streaming Options

For those looking to catch the Illinois vs. Alabama game, there are several live streaming offers. FuboTV is currently providing a free trial and is offering $20 off the first month after the trial period. With this offer, plans start at just $59.99. SlingTV offers a low intro rate, making it a great option for those on a budget. DirecTV Stream also provides a free trial, and its 7-day free trial is the longest in streaming.

Alabama's Rebound Journey

Alabama enters the CM Newton Classic as a significant 8.5-point favorite, looking to bounce back from their 87-78 loss to No. 6 Purdue on Friday night. In that game, their explosive offense was held in check, failing to reach the 80-point mark for the second consecutive time. This stretch of six straight games against ranked opponents gives the reigning national runner-up Tide a chance to assess their current standing.The Crimson Tide's performance in recent games has shown their potential, but they will need to step up their game against Illinois. Their ability to regain their offensive rhythm and defend effectively will be crucial in this matchup.

Illinois' Early Season Success

The Illini have had a relatively light schedule so far, with wins over Eastern Illinois (112-67), SIU-Edwardsville (90-58), and Oakland (66-54). In their last game, they overcame 18 turnovers and sloppy play with an impressive performance from 7-foot-1 center Tomaislav Ivisic. He led the way with 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 steals, demonstrating the Illini's depth and talent.However, facing a ranked opponent like Alabama will be a different challenge for the Illini. They will need to maintain their focus and execute their game plan to have a chance at an upset.

Key Matchup: Offense vs. Defense

In this game, the matchup between Alabama's explosive offense and Illinois' defensive capabilities will be crucial. Alabama's ability to score quickly and efficiently will test Illinois' defense, while Illinois' defense will need to find ways to slow down the Tide's offensive attack.Both teams have shown flashes of their potential in previous games, but it will be interesting to see how they perform when facing off against each other. The outcome of this matchup could have a significant impact on both teams' seasons.