You can watch Illinois Fighting Illini men’s basketball on a mix of national TV networks and streaming platforms, depending on the specific game and opponent.

Main TV channels

Illini games are typically carried by one of these:

  • FOX – Big‑Ten‑network‑exclusive matchups (for example, recent Illinois vs. Michigan State aired on FOX).
  • Big Ten Network (BTN) – Many conference games air here, especially non‑marquee matchups.
  • ESPN/ABC family – Select marquee games appear on ESPN, ESPN2, or ABC.

Always check the official Fighting Illini schedule page or a sports‑news outlet for the exact channel for each game.

Streaming options

If you prefer to stream, common services that carry Illini games include:

  • YouTube TV – Carries ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, and BTN in most markets, so you can watch Illini games that air on those channels.
  • Fubo – Frequently recommended by Illini fans for nationwide BTN access plus FOX and other sports channels.
  • Fox Sports / Fox Sports Go – For games airing on FOX, you can stream via FoxSports.com or the Fox Sports app with a participating TV‑provider login.
  • Big Ten Plus (B1G+) – Used for some non‑TV‑broadcast games (often early‑season or non‑conference matchups).

Quick‑reference table

Where you watch| What it covers| Notes
---|---|---
FOX| Select Illini games (often Big Ten matchups) 35| Available on cable or via streaming services that include FOX.
Big Ten Network (BTN)| Many conference games 78| Often bundled in live‑TV‑streaming packages (YouTube TV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV).
ESPN/ABC| Marquee matchups and tournaments 710| Check ESPN’s schedule or app for specific game listings.
YouTube TV| Live ABC/CBS/FOX/NBC/BTN with Illini games that air on those channels 7| Free trial available; cancel anytime.
Fubo| FOX, BTN, and other regional sports 59| Popular choice among Illini‑fan‑subreddit posters.
Big Ten Plus (B1G+)| Games not on linear TV 110| Subscription‑based streaming for select matchups.

How to know where to watch tonight

  • Check the Fighting Illini official site’s “Watch” page or the game‑day preview for that specific matchup.
  • Look at sports‑news guides (e.g., The Athletic, SI, or local‑Illini blogs) that list “How to watch” for each game, including channel and streaming links.

If you tell me the exact opponent and date of the game you want to watch, I can give you the precise channel and streaming link for that matchup.