Illinois Looks to Extend Winning Streak Against In-State Rival Northwestern

The No. 5 Fighting Illini host the struggling Wildcats in a Big Ten matchup.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 9:55pm

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Surging Illinois, ranked No. 5 in the nation, enters Wednesday's game against in-state rival Northwestern riding an 11-game winning streak. The Fighting Illini have notched impressive wins over top-5 teams Nebraska and Purdue in recent weeks and are tied for first place in the Big Ten. Meanwhile, Northwestern has struggled this season and is looking to recharge during the two-game road trip to Illinois and Iowa.

Why it matters

This game is an important Big Ten matchup between two in-state rivals. Illinois is looking to solidify its position atop the conference standings, while Northwestern is hoping to build some momentum and pull off an upset on the road.

The details

Illinois has been led by the strong play of freshman Keaton Wagler, who scored 28 points in the team's recent win over Nebraska. The Fighting Illini will also look to center Tomislav Ivisic, who had 21 points in the previous meeting with Northwestern. For the Wildcats, leading scorer Nick Martinelli had 19 points in the loss to Washington, while Arrinten Page provided a spark off the bench with 16 points and 8 rebounds.

  • Illinois and Northwestern last met on January 14, 2026.
  • Illinois is currently on an 11-game winning streak.

The players

Keaton Wagler

A freshman guard for Illinois who scored 28 points in the team's recent win over Nebraska.

Tomislav Ivisic

The starting center for Illinois who had 21 points in the previous meeting with Northwestern.

Nick Martinelli

The leading scorer for Northwestern, averaging 23.7 points per game this season.

Arrinten Page

A reserve forward for Northwestern who provided a spark off the bench in the team's recent loss to Washington.

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What they’re saying

“I think we showed that we are a really good team, that we are really calm in tough moments. Really smart team, makes good decisions. I just feel like we are a team that knows what to do and knows how to get things done in certain moments.”

— Tomislav Ivisic, Center, Illinois

“I knew I had to step it up but I wasn't worried. I mean, I've had low-scoring first halves before, and I've came out and scored a lot in the second half. So I kept doing what I always do, just let the game come to me.”

— Keaton Wagler, Freshman Guard, Illinois

“Two games in 48 hours at the Big Ten level with a lot of young guys playing, we have to get some rest here. (We'll) come back on Monday, dust ourselves off and get ready for the next one.”

— Chris Collins, Head Coach, Northwestern

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This game highlights the contrast between a surging Illinois team and a struggling Northwestern squad. The Fighting Illini have proven they can win against top competition, while the Wildcats are still searching for consistency. A win for Illinois would further cement their status as a Big Ten title contender, while a Northwestern upset would be a major boost for their season.