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Illinois Defeats Wisconsin in High-Scoring Battle
Illini hold off Badgers in Big Ten showdown
Feb. 10, 2026 at 3:23pm
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In a high-scoring Big Ten clash, the #8 Illinois Fighting Illini defeated the Wisconsin Badgers 92-87 on Tuesday night in Champaign. The Illini, led by freshman standout Keaton Wagler's 22 points, overcame the absence of injured guard Kylan Boswell to improve to 21-4 overall and 12-2 in conference play. Wisconsin, which got a team-high 24 points from senior Nick Boyd, fell to 16-8 on the season and 8-5 in the Big Ten.
Why it matters
This game had major implications for both teams' NCAA Tournament hopes. Illinois, with its sights set on a deep postseason run, needed to protect its home court against a Wisconsin squad fighting to solidify its bubble status. The high-octane affair showcased the offensive firepower of both teams and underscored the competitive nature of the Big Ten conference.
The details
In a back-and-forth contest, Illinois used a balanced scoring attack to outlast Wisconsin. In addition to Wagler's 22 points, the Illini received double-digit contributions from Andrej Stojakovic (19 points), Jayden Epps (16 points), and Coleman Hawkins (14 points). The Badgers were paced by Boyd's 24 points, while Nolan Winter added 18 points and 9 rebounds. Wisconsin kept the game close throughout, but Illinois' superior depth and efficiency on the offensive end proved to be the difference.
- The game was played on Tuesday, February 10, 2026 in Champaign, Illinois.
The players
Keaton Wagler
A freshman guard for the Illinois Fighting Illini who led his team with 22 points in the victory.
Nick Boyd
A senior guard for the Wisconsin Badgers who scored a team-high 24 points in the losing effort.
Nolan Winter
A 6'11" center for the Wisconsin Badgers who contributed 18 points and 9 rebounds.
Andrej Stojakovic
A wing player for the Illinois Fighting Illini who scored 19 points, continuing his recent hot streak.
Kylan Boswell
An injured guard for the Illinois Fighting Illini who missed the game due to a hand injury.
What they’re saying
“We knew Wisconsin would come in and give us their best shot. I'm proud of how our guys responded and found a way to win this tough Big Ten battle.”
— Brad Underwood, Head Coach, Illinois Fighting Illini
“It's a tough loss, but we showed we can compete with one of the top teams in the country. We'll learn from this and keep fighting to improve our NCAA Tournament resume.”
— Greg Gard, Head Coach, Wisconsin Badgers
What’s next
Illinois will look to continue its strong Big Ten play when it hosts #10 Michigan State on Saturday, February 14th. Wisconsin will try to bounce back at home against Purdue on February 17th.
The takeaway
This high-scoring affair demonstrated the offensive firepower of both the Illinois Fighting Illini and Wisconsin Badgers, underscoring the depth of talent in the competitive Big Ten conference. While Illinois emerged victorious, Wisconsin proved it can hang with the conference's elite, keeping its NCAA Tournament hopes alive.
