Last meeting: The Crimson Tide took down the Fighting Illini 79-58 on March 17, 2015. Alabama's Levi Randolph and Rodney Cooper combined for 39 points on 13-of-20 from the field, Randolph and Retin Obasohan each grabbed seven rebounds, and Randolph also led the Tide in assists with five.

Grant Nelson scored 23 points and Aden Holloway had 18 to lead No. 8 Alabama to a 100-87 win over No. 25 Illinois in a matchup of Elite Eight teams from last season.

Here are three takeaways from the game between Alabama basketball and Illinois on Wednesday at Legacy Arena in Birmingham.

The Crimson Tide earned a much-needed ranked win after taking its first loss of the season last game against Purdue.

Alabama freshman guard Labaron Philon flirted with a triple-double against Illinois in what was one of his top performances of the season. Philon finished with 16 points, seven rebounds, nine assists, two steals, and one block on 7-of-13 shooting from the field.

So what does the highest competitive level college basketball look like this season? Alabama 100, Illinois 87 in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday night was an excellent representation.

Nov 20, 2024; Birmingham, AL, USA; Illinois guard Trey White (22) defends as Alabama forward Grant Nelson (4) drives with the ball in the CM Newton Classic at Legacy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News / Gary Cosby Jr. / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Welp.

No. 25 Illinois (3-1) lost its first game of the season on Wednesday night, falling to a talented No. 8 Alabama team. A 100-87 final

And on Wednesday in Birmingham, Alabama, after No. 25 Illinois feasted on mid-major competition in three home wins to open the season, that adversity arrived in a tidal wave in th

The Big Ten had five games on Wednesday night, highlighted by a ranked matchup between Alabama and Illinois in Birmingham. Rutgers and USC also had interesting games. Let’s take a look at what happened.