Kylan Boswell Still Sidelined as Illinois Prepares for Wisconsin
Illinois will once again be without one of its key backcourt leaders when they take the floor against Wisconsin on Tuesday night. Head coach Brad Underwood confirmed that senior guard Kylan Boswell will not suit up for the eighth-ranked Illini as he continues to recover from a broken right hand.
This will mark Boswell’s seventh straight game on the sidelines since suffering the injury during practice on January 19. It’s been a tough blow for a player who was in the midst of a strong senior campaign, and for a team that has leaned heavily on his scoring and playmaking all season.
Before the injury, Boswell was putting together one of the most consistent stretches of his college career. He ranks second on the team in both scoring (14.3 points per game) and assists (3.4 per game), and had reached double figures in 12 games this season. His 31-point outburst against Florida Gulf Coast back on November 7 stands as his career high and a reminder of the offensive punch he brings when healthy.
Despite his absence, Illinois managed to rattle off 12 straight wins, showcasing the team’s depth and resilience. That streak came to an end in a hard-fought overtime loss at No. 10 Michigan State on Saturday night, falling 85-82 in what could easily be a preview of a Big Ten Tournament showdown.
Boswell’s initial recovery timeline had him out for up to four weeks, which would potentially put him on track to return sometime next week. That window falls between Sunday’s home game against Indiana and the team’s West Coast trip, where they’ll take on USC on Wednesday and UCLA on Saturday.
Underwood noted that Boswell is scheduled for a medical evaluation later this week, and the team will make a decision on his return based on that update.
Until then, the Illini will continue to rely on their depth and backcourt rotation to fill the void. But make no mistake - getting Boswell back in the lineup could be a major boost as Illinois gears up for the stretch run and postseason play.