Two of the Big Ten’s top programs collide in Lincoln as Illinois visits Nebraska in a matchup that feels like a postseason preview. Both teams sit near the top of the conference, and both bring contrasting strengths: Illinois’ scoring punch versus Nebraska’s defensive discipline.
Illinois women’s basketball is set to hit the road again, and the margin for error keeps shrinking. The Illini have dropped two straight and now head west to face a physical, confident Washington squad in what feels like a defining Big Ten test.
The college football transfer portal is officially closed, and Illinois and coach Bret Bielema have shifted much of their focus to high school recruits.
Illinois didn’t exactly come out firing on all cylinders Thursday night, but good teams find ways to win even when the energy isn’t perfect – and that’s exactly what the Illini did in a 75-66 victory over Washington in Champaign.
Even good teams have the occasional bad game, and No. 9 Illinois offered the proof Thursday in Champaign. But what separates the best teams from the merely good is the ability to overcome those low-water moments and still grind out wins.
A year ago, 6-foot-6 wing Jake Davis arrived in Champaign best known for two things: his three-point shooting ability and his long, luscious locks – perhaps even more for the latter.
Illinois coach Brad Underwood , and even some veteran Illini , were buzzing with excitement this past offseason about an unheralded freshman: guard Keaton Wagler .
Illinois keeps finding ways to win. No Kylan Boswell ? No problem (for the most part). The Illini are riding a nine-game win streak – the most recent triumph coming in dramatic fashion at Purdue, behind a 46-point detonation from freshman guard Keaton Wagler .
Illinois is back home to take on its next challenge – a major one – in UCLA, one of the top women's basketball programs in the country. The Illini enter the matchup aiming to bounce back after a tough loss at Nebraska, where a slow start proved costly.
Gabe Jacas may not be a prospect that is a household name for fans starting to tune into draft coverage. His opponents over the past two seasons know him well and opposing offensive coordinators have had to plan to deal with him in the offensive gameplan.
Any reasonable up-to-the-moment evaluation of Illinois basketball, winners of nine straight – including Saturday's 88-82 instant classic over Purdue at Mackey Arena – has to go something like: "Hey, those guys are great.
Let’s rewind the clock to Dec. 13, 2025, when then-No. 23 Nebraska visited Champaign to take on 13th-ranked Illinois. With the score knotted at 80 apiece, an eager, albeit nervous, energy spread over the State Farm Center crowd.
Illinois didn’t just beat Purdue – it broke the basketball calculator. Somewhere deep in the spreadsheets, a formula quietly blinked, sighed and accepted reality: Illinois basketball now owns the most efficient offense in KenPom history.