Three Keys for Illinois to Bounce Back Against Wisconsin
After rattling off 12 straight wins, Illinois finally hit a speed bump in East Lansing. The overtime loss to Michigan State was a gut check - not because Illinois played their best and came up short, but because they didn’t.
A C+ effort still nearly knocked off a top-10 team on the road. That tells you something about the ceiling of this squad.
Now, the Illini get a shot at redemption against a tough Wisconsin team. The Badgers are loaded with size, firepower, and discipline - a classic Wisconsin roster.
But Illinois has the tools to counter that, especially if they clean up a few key areas. Let’s break down the three biggest factors that could determine whether Illinois gets back in the win column on Tuesday night.
1. The Ivisic Brothers vs. Nolan Winter: A Battle of Bigs
Wisconsin’s frontcourt is no joke. Nolan Winter has emerged as one of the most skilled big men in the Big Ten, averaging 14.3 points and 8.8 boards.
At 7-feet tall with range and touch, he’s a matchup problem for most teams. And with 6'10" Austin Rapp likely returning from illness, the Badgers will have a second long, mobile big who can crash the glass and score inside.
But Illinois isn’t short on size either - in fact, they’ve got more of it. The Ivisic brothers, Tomislav and Zvonimir, are both over seven feet tall and bring different flavors to the defensive end.
Tomislav, listed at 7'1", will likely draw the initial assignment on Winter. Both players can stretch the floor and finish inside, so expect a chess match between two modern bigs who can do a little bit of everything.
Zvonimir, the more defensively polished of the two, will come off the bench and should see plenty of time on Winter as well. His length and instincts could be a game-changer, especially if Illinois wants to throw different looks at Winter and keep him out of rhythm.
If the Ivisic brothers can neutralize Winter and hold their own in the paint, it takes away a huge piece of Wisconsin’s offense. That’s step one to getting this win.
2. Illinois’ Length on the Perimeter Could Disrupt Wisconsin’s Guards
Wisconsin’s backcourt is lethal - no way around it. Nick Boyd and John Blackwell are combining for nearly 39 points per game, and both can score at all three levels.
They’re efficient, confident, and have great chemistry. But they haven’t faced a backcourt quite like Illinois’.
Keaton Wagler leads the Illini at the point, and at 6'6", he brings a unique blend of size and skill. He’s got the wingspan to contest shots and the footwork to stay in front of quicker guards. With Kylan Boswell out, Illinois will lean even more on their length at the guard spots - and that could be a problem for the Badgers.
Expect to see a mix of 6'9" Ben Humrichous, 6'6" Jake Davis, and 6'7" Andrej Stojakovic rotating through the backcourt. That’s a wall of size that can switch, contest, and close out on shooters. And that matters - because Wisconsin loves to shoot the three.
Four of their top five scorers are hitting at least 34% from deep, and as a team, they’re knocking down 34.5% from beyond the arc. But Illinois has the length to challenge those looks and make life uncomfortable on the perimeter.
If the Illini can use their size to run Wisconsin off the three-point line or at least lower that shooting percentage, they’ll tilt the math in their favor. Against a disciplined team like the Badgers, every possession counts - and every contested shot could be the difference.
3. Keaton Wagler Needs a Bounce-Back Game
Let’s call it what it was - Wagler had a rough night against Michigan State. The stat line might not look terrible on the surface - 16 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists - but the shooting was ice cold: 2-of-16 from the field and 2-of-8 from deep. He forced shots, struggled to find rhythm, and never quite looked comfortable.
But here’s the thing: Wagler is too good to stay down for long. He’s a true point guard with the ability to score, facilitate, and defend. What Illinois needs from him now is composure - let the game come to him, get teammates involved early, and then pick his spots to attack.
Wisconsin’s guards are strong defenders, and they’ll be keyed in on Wagler. They’ve likely watched the Michigan State tape and will try to replicate that pressure.
But Wagler’s size gives him an edge. At 6'6", he can shoot over defenders and see over the defense.
If he can settle in, find his rhythm, and avoid forcing the issue, he can absolutely turn the tide in this one.
Illinois doesn’t need Wagler to score 25 - they need him to be efficient, steady, and smart. If he does that, the rest of the offense will follow.
The Bottom Line
Illinois has all the pieces to bounce back - size, depth, defensive versatility, and a lead guard who’s due for a rebound. Wisconsin is a tough, well-coached team that won’t beat itself, but Illinois has the talent edge if they execute.
Control the paint with the Ivisic brothers. Use that perimeter length to disrupt Wisconsin’s shooters. And get Wagler back into his groove.
Do those three things, and Illinois won’t just get back on track - they’ll remind the Big Ten that they’re still one of the teams to beat.