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.

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

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.

No. 8 Alabama men's basketball took down to No. 25 Illinois 100-87 on Wednesday night in the C.M. Newton Classic, giving the Fighting Illini i

Alabama basketball's Mark Sears posted on Instagram early Thursday morning taking shots after a rare scoreless performance vs. Illinois:

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

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