The Illinois Fighting Illini are riding high. Winners of seven straight for the first time since March 2024, they’re not just stacking wins-they’re evolving into one of the most complete teams in college basketball.
Since December 14, no program in the country has played better, at least according to Bart Torvik’s T-Rank. But you don’t need an advanced metric to see that something has clicked in Champaign.
Let’s break down why Illinois is suddenly looking like a Big Ten title contender-and maybe more.
Defense That Travels
A month ago, Illinois’ defense looked like its Achilles’ heel. After giving up 83 points at home to Nebraska, the Illini were trending in the wrong direction.
They were getting torched by opposing stars-Pryce Sandfort dropped 32, Bruce Thornton had 34, and earlier in the season, Alabama’s Labaron Philon and Texas Tech’s JT Toppin lit them up for 24 and 35, respectively. The Illini offense was humming, but it wasn’t enough to cover for a defense that couldn’t get stops.
That’s no longer the case.
Since that Nebraska loss, Illinois has completely flipped the script on the defensive end. Per T-Rank, they’ve been the 13th-best defense in the country during that stretch. And their season-long KenPom defensive efficiency rating has climbed to 21st-a significant jump that speaks to real progress.
The numbers back it up: no opponent has scored more than 69 points against Illinois since that Nebraska game. They held Missouri to just 48 in their rivalry showdown and limited Iowa to a respectable 69 in a tough road environment.
The turnaround hasn’t been about one player-it’s been a collective effort. The Illini are sharper on switches, more disciplined on closeouts, and better on the glass. They’re communicating, rotating, and contesting shots with the kind of urgency that wins games in March.
Next up is Maryland, a team that struggles to score and ranks outside the top 100 in KenPom offensive efficiency. That’s another opportunity for Illinois to flex its defensive muscle.
But the real test looms after that: a trip to West Lafayette to take on Purdue, one of the most potent offensive units in the country. If Illinois can hold its own there, it’ll be hard to deny just how far this defense has come.
Offense by Committee
Early in the season, Illinois leaned heavily on one or two guys to carry the scoring load. In 10 of their first 11 games, someone hit the 20-point mark. That’s changed during this win streak-and it’s for the better.
Over the past seven games, only twice has an Illini player cracked 20 points. Instead, four different players have led the team in scoring during that stretch, and in every single game, at least three players have reached double figures.
It’s a shift in identity that’s paying dividends. Gone are the days of Ayo Dosunmu, Kofi Cockburn, or Terrence Shannon Jr. needing to put up 30 to give Illinois a shot.
This team doesn’t need a hero. It needs-and has-balance.
Sure, not everyone is lighting it up every night. Kylan Boswell has been quiet in four of his last seven games.
Tomislav Ivisic didn’t score against Penn State. Zvonimir Ivisic has had some low-output games.
Andrej Stojakovic and Ben Humrichous have combined for just 16 points over the last two outings.
But here’s the thing: that’s not a red flag. It’s a sign of depth.
On any given night, nearly anyone in the rotation can step up and lead. And that’s the kind of unpredictability that makes Illinois so tough to scout-and so dangerous in March.
Freshman Keaton Wagler has been the steadiest scoring presence, but it’s the collective that makes this offense hum. Balanced scoring isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a hallmark of teams that make deep tournament runs. And Illinois is checking that box in bold ink.
Built to Last
Let’s talk big picture.
At 15-3, Illinois is off to its best 18-game start under Brad Underwood. Their 6-1 Big Ten record ties the best conference start of his tenure.
And while the conference schedule hasn’t been the toughest to date-they currently have the third-easiest strength of schedule in Big Ten play-the Illini have already banked four road wins. That’s no small feat in this league.
The non-conference résumé is strong, too. Wins over Texas Tech, Tennessee, and Missouri give Illinois a solid foundation heading into the heart of Big Ten play.
And the metrics love them. They’re top 10 across the board in major analytics systems and rank top 15 in NET, Wins Above Bubble (WAB), and Strength of Record (SOR).
Put it all together-an improving defense, a balanced and efficient offense, and a résumé that’s quietly building steam-and you’ve got a team that’s not just hot. You’ve got a team that’s built for March.
The Illini are no longer a one-dimensional squad hoping for a big night from a star. They’re a well-rounded, battle-tested group that’s learning how to win in different ways. And if they keep trending upward, a Big Ten regular season title isn’t just possible-it’s within reach.