Indiana and Illinois Renew Rivalry on the Basketball Court

As Indiana rebuilds, the Hoosiers look to snap an NCAA Tournament drought against a Final Four contender in Illinois.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball team is set to face off against the Illinois Fighting Illini this weekend in their first and only regular season matchup of the 2025-26 season. While the rivalry between the two Big Ten programs has waned in recent years, the matchup still carries historical significance, particularly dating back to the early 2000s when Eric Gordon's decision to spurn Illinois for Indiana created animosity between the two fan bases. With Indiana in a rebuilding phase and Illinois poised for a deep NCAA Tournament run, the game represents a chance for the Hoosiers to make a statement and potentially reignite the regional rivalry.

Why it matters

As major college sports move towards super conferences, maintaining regional rivalries becomes increasingly important for programs to preserve their history and connection to local fans. The Indiana-Illinois matchup represents one such opportunity, with the two schools having faced off regularly over the decades and developed a level of intensity that, while not reaching the heights of Indiana's rivalries with Purdue or Kentucky, has still felt more heated than most other Big Ten games.

The details

Indiana is in the first year of a program rebuild under head coach Darian DeVries, while Illinois is looking to build on its success under Brad Underwood and potentially make a run to the Final Four. The Hoosiers are hoping to snap an NCAA Tournament drought, while the Illini are heavy favorites to finish the season as one of the top teams in the country.

  • The Indiana-Illinois matchup is scheduled for this weekend.
  • In the 2023-24 season, Illinois was a more favorable matchup away from a Final Four berth.
  • In the 2024-25 season, Illinois trounced Indiana on the Hoosiers' home court.

The players

Darian DeVries

The head coach of the Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball team, who is in his first year leading the program's rebuild.

Brad Underwood

The head coach of the Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team, who has led the program to sustained success in recent years.

Eric Gordon

A former Indiana Hoosiers player whose decision to spurn Illinois and commit to Indiana in the early 2000s created animosity between the two fan bases that has lingered ever since.

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What’s next

The outcome of this weekend's Indiana-Illinois matchup could have significant implications for both teams' postseason aspirations, with the Hoosiers looking to make a statement and the Illini aiming to solidify their status as a Final Four contender.

The takeaway

As major college sports continue to evolve, maintaining regional rivalries like Indiana-Illinois becomes increasingly important for programs to preserve their history and connection to local fans. While the rivalry may not have reached the heights of some of Indiana's other matchups, embracing the history and intensity between the two schools could benefit both programs in the long run.