Illinois Fighting Illini Seek Revenge Against Nebraska Cornhuskers

Top-25 Big Ten rivals meet for second time this season in high-scoring affair

Feb. 1, 2026 at 1:39pm

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Two ranked Big Ten teams, the Illinois Fighting Illini and Nebraska Cornhuskers, will square off in a rematch of their earlier meeting this season. Illinois looks to avenge its 83-80 loss to Nebraska back in December, as the teams combine for just four losses on the year. This matchup features two high-powered offenses, with Illinois averaging 85 points per game and Nebraska scoring 80.5 per contest.

Why it matters

This game is a key conference battle between two of the top teams in the Big Ten. The winner will gain an important edge in the race for the conference title and a potential high seed in the NCAA Tournament. The high-scoring nature of the game also makes it an intriguing matchup for fans and bettors alike.

The details

Illinois enters on a 10-game winning streak, with its only losses coming against Alabama, UConn, and Nebraska earlier this season. The Fighting Illini boast a balanced scoring attack led by Keaton Wagler, Kylan Boswell, Andrej Stojakovic, and David Mirkovic. Nebraska's lone loss came against Michigan, and the Cornhuskers are led by Pryce Sandfort, Rienk Mast, Braden Frager, and Jamarques Lawrence. Both teams excel on the offensive end, ranking in the top 100 nationally in scoring and efficiency.

  • The teams first met on December 13, 2025, with Nebraska winning 83-80.
  • This rematch will take place on Sunday, February 1, 2026.

The players

Keaton Wagler

Illinois' leading scorer, averaging 17.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game.

Pryce Sandfort

Nebraska's top scorer, averaging 17.4 points and 4.6 rebounds per contest.

Brad Underwood

Head coach of the Illinois Fighting Illini.

Fred Hoiberg

Head coach of the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

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What they’re saying

“We're looking forward to the rematch against Nebraska. They got the better of us last time, but we've been playing great basketball since then and are ready to even the score.”

— Keaton Wagler, Illinois Guard

“Nebraska is a very talented team, but we're confident in our ability to compete with them. This is a big game for both programs, and we're excited for the challenge.”

— Fred Hoiberg, Nebraska Head Coach

What’s next

The winner of this game will take a significant step towards securing a high seed in the upcoming Big Ten Tournament and NCAA Tournament.

The takeaway

This matchup between two of the top teams in the Big Ten features a pair of high-powered offenses that should produce an entertaining, high-scoring affair. The winner will gain an important edge in the conference title race and position themselves for a deep postseason run.