No. 8 Illinois Beats Indiana 71-51 Behind Mirkovic's 25 Points

Kylan Boswell returns from injury to contribute 9 points and 7 rebounds for the Illini.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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In a Big Ten matchup, the 8th-ranked Illinois Fighting Illini defeated the Indiana Hoosiers 71-51 on Sunday. David Mirkovic led the way for Illinois with 25 points and 7 rebounds, while Kylan Boswell returned from a broken hand to add 9 points and 7 rebounds. Illinois outrebounded Indiana 38-25 and scored 17 second-chance points off 15 offensive rebounds.

Why it matters

This win helps Illinois rebound after back-to-back overtime losses and keeps them in the hunt for a high seed in the Big Ten tournament. Indiana had been playing well lately but struggled to match Illinois' physicality inside the paint.

The details

Mirkovic had a dominant performance, scoring 25 points on efficient shooting. Boswell, Illinois' second-leading scorer and top defender, returned from a broken hand and played nearly 33 minutes. The Illini also got key contributions from Keaton Wagler (18 points) and Tomislav Ivisic (14 points). Indiana was led by Lamar Wilkerson's 21 points, but the Hoosiers were outscored 33-20 in the second half.

  • Illinois was coming off back-to-back overtime losses to Wisconsin and Michigan State.
  • This game was played on Sunday, February 16, 2026.

The players

David Mirkovic

A standout player for the Illinois Fighting Illini, scoring 25 points and grabbing 7 rebounds in the win over Indiana.

Kylan Boswell

The Illini's second-leading scorer and top defensive player, returned from a broken hand to contribute 9 points and 7 rebounds in 33 minutes of action.

Lamar Wilkerson

The leading scorer for the Indiana Hoosiers, with 21 points, 14 of which came in the first half.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

This game showcased Illinois' depth and resilience, as they were able to rebound from tough losses and get a dominant win over a conference opponent. Boswell's return was a key factor, and the Illini's physicality and second-chance opportunities proved too much for Indiana to handle.