Preview: Illinois Women's Basketball vs. Rutgers

Here’s more information on Illinois' home matchup against Rutgers:

How to watch Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights:

• Who: Illinois Fighting Illini (17-8, 7-7 Big Ten) vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (9-16, 1-13 Big Ten)
• What: Big Ten conference matchup
• When: Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 6 p.m. CT
• Where: State Farm Center, Champaign, Illinois
• Promotion: TikTok Day | Halftime TikTok dance competition
• TV/streaming: B1G+ (Annual pass: $89.99; Monthly pass: $12.99/month. Use code "BESTDEAL50" for 50 percent off an annual pass. To purchase a subscription, click here. For more information, visit bigtenplus.com.)
• Radio/audio: Busey Bank Illini Sports Network (Champaign: WDWS 93.9 FM or 1400 AM); Fighting Illini Productions; Varsity Network App
• Last week: Illinois went 1-0 last week, taking down the Badgers at home in blowout fashion. The Scarlet Knights went 0-1 last week, falling at Purdue on Saturday.
• Series history: The Illini are 6-9 all time against Rutgers, but they have won the last five meetings, including a 69-65 victory in Piscataway, New Jersey, last season.

What to know about Rutgers

The Scarlet Knights have fallen a long way from their peak years, most notably their run to the national championship game in 2007. In recent seasons, sustained success has been hard to come by. Rutgers has not reached the NCAA Tournament in four years, and that drought is expected to extend to five as this season winds down.

This year has been particularly challenging. Rutgers sits at just 1-13 in Big Ten play and is currently riding a seven-game losing streak. Its lone conference victory came against a struggling Penn State squad, and consistency has been an issue on both ends of the floor.

That said, there is still individual talent to account for. Junior forward Nene Ndiaye leads the team at 15.2 points per game and has the ability to score inside and around the rim. If the Illini can limit Ndiaye's touches, force tough shots and control the glass, they should be in position to take control early and avoid letting Rutgers hang around.