Keaton Wagler leads No. 9 Illinois to 11th straight win over No. 5 Nebraska

The Fighting Illini defeated the Cornhuskers 78-69 in the first top-10 matchup hosted by Nebraska this season.

Feb. 1, 2026 at 6:39pm

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Keaton Wagler scored 28 points as No. 9 Illinois won its 11th straight game, defeating No. 5 Nebraska 78-69 on Sunday. The Fighting Illini held the Cornhuskers to just four field goals in the first 13 minutes of the second half to secure the victory. Nebraska lost its second straight game after starting the season 20-0.

Why it matters

This was the first matchup of top-10 teams that Nebraska has hosted this season, highlighting the Cornhuskers' strong start to the year before their recent struggles. Illinois' 11-game winning streak also demonstrates their status as one of the top teams in the Big Ten conference.

The details

Keaton Wagler led the way for Illinois with 28 points, while Jake Davis added 13 points, Tomislav Ivisic scored 12, and David Mirkovic had 10. Nebraska's Braden Frager returned from an ankle injury to score 20 points, but the Cornhuskers were held in check for much of the second half.

  • The game was played on Sunday, February 2, 2026.

The players

Keaton Wagler

The leading scorer for No. 9 Illinois, who had 28 points in the win.

Braden Frager

A Nebraska player who returned from an ankle injury to score 20 points in the loss.

Illinois

The No. 9 ranked team in the country, who extended their winning streak to 11 games with the victory.

Nebraska

The No. 5 ranked team in the country, who suffered their second straight loss after starting the season 20-0.

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The takeaway

This game showcased the strength of the Big Ten conference, with two top-10 teams battling it out. Illinois' dominant second-half performance demonstrated their ability to win tough road games against elite opponents, while Nebraska's recent struggles raise questions about their ability to maintain their early-season success.