Wisconsin Badgers at Illinois Fighting Illini: Illini Look to Bounce Back at Home

No. 7 Illinois hosts Wisconsin in Big Ten clash after suffering overtime loss to Michigan State

Feb. 9, 2026 at 10:55pm

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The No. 7 Illinois Fighting Illini (20-4, 11-2 Big Ten) will host the Wisconsin Badgers (16-7, 8-4) on Tuesday night at State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. Illinois is looking to bounce back after having its 12-game winning streak snapped with an 85-82 overtime loss to No. 10 Michigan State on Saturday. Wisconsin is coming off a 78-77 overtime loss to Indiana, ending the Badgers' 2-game winning streak.

Why it matters

This Big Ten matchup features two teams looking to get back on track after tough losses over the weekend. Illinois will be eager to protect its home court and maintain its position near the top of the conference standings, while Wisconsin will aim to pull off an upset on the road against a top-10 opponent.

The details

Illinois forward David Mirkovic scored a team-high 18 points in the loss to Michigan State, with four of the five Fighting Illini starters scoring at least 12 points. Wisconsin forward Nolan Winter had a double-double with 26 points and 12 rebounds in the Badgers' overtime defeat against Indiana, but the team shot just 38% from the field. Wisconsin won the last meeting between these teams 85-74 last season, snapping a 9-game losing streak against Illinois.

  • The game tips off at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, February 10, 2026.
  • Illinois had its 12-game winning streak snapped with an overtime loss on Saturday, February 8, 2026.
  • Wisconsin's 2-game winning streak was ended with an overtime defeat on Saturday, February 8, 2026.

The players

David Mirkovic

An Illinois forward who scored a team-high 18 points in the loss to Michigan State.

Nolan Winter

A Wisconsin forward who recorded a double-double with 26 points and 12 rebounds in the Badgers' overtime loss to Indiana.

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What they’re saying

“We must bounce back quickly and take care of business at home against Wisconsin.”

— Brad Underwood, Illinois Head Coach

What’s next

The winner of this game will take a step closer to securing a high seed in the upcoming Big Ten Tournament.

The takeaway

This matchup between two top-20 teams in the Big Ten will be a crucial game for both squads as they look to position themselves for postseason success. Illinois will be determined to protect its home court and get back on track, while Wisconsin will aim to pull off an upset on the road.