Illinois Blows Past Northwestern Behind Red-Hot Shooting, Lockdown Defense
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Illinois didn’t just win on Wednesday night - they made a statement. From the opening tip, the Illini caught fire from deep and never looked back, dismantling Northwestern 84-44 at State Farm Center in a performance that showcased just how dangerous this team can be when everything clicks.
Coming off back-to-back top-5 road wins - a first in program history - Illinois returned home with momentum and swagger. And they put both on full display.
Five Illini finished in double figures, and the team extended its winning streak to 12 games, their longest since the 2012-13 season. At 11-1 in Big Ten play and 20-3 overall, this is Illinois’ best start since the 2005-06 squad opened 20-2.
“It’s our job as coaches to put them in space and give them the opportunities to show that off,” head coach Brad Underwood said. And on Wednesday, his team took full advantage of that space - and then some.
A First-Half Clinic from Deep
Illinois didn’t just hit threes - they rained them down with surgical precision. Eleven first-half triples, coming from all over the roster, turned what was expected to be a competitive Big Ten matchup into a one-sided showcase.
The exclamation point? A three-quarters court buzzer-beater from freshman Keaton Wagler that sent the crowd into a frenzy and the Illini into the locker room up 47-19.
Illinois entered the game ranked second in the Big Ten with 11 made threes per game - and they matched that number in just 20 minutes, shooting 50% from beyond the arc in the first half. They kept their foot on the gas after halftime, drilling six more threes and finishing 17-of-38 from deep overall.
Defense, Rebounding, and a Little Payback
While the offense was humming, the Illini defense was equally dominant. Northwestern struggled to find any rhythm, shooting just 29% from the field and a brutal 16% from three.
The Big Ten’s leading scorer, Nick Martinelli, was held to just four points on 2-of-10 shooting. Jayden Reid - who torched Illinois for 28 points in their last meeting - was limited to seven points this time around, thanks in large part to the defensive effort of Andrej Stojakovic.
“He’s becoming an incredible two-way player, not just a scorer,” Underwood said of Stojakovic, who continues to evolve into a key piece on both ends of the floor.
And then there was the rebounding. Illinois had circled this game after allowing 22 second-chance points in their narrow win over Northwestern last month.
This time, they flipped the script. The Illini dominated the boards 49-21, including 14 second-chance points of their own.
That kind of effort on the glass is becoming a calling card - Illinois leads the Big Ten in second-chance points and ranks second in rebound margin.
Balanced Attack, Big-Time Performers
What makes this Illinois team so dangerous is their depth. On any given night, it could be any combination of players leading the charge - and Wednesday was a perfect example:
- Andrej Stojakovic: 17 points, four boards, and a near-perfect 9-of-10 from the free-throw line. His defense on Reid was just as valuable as his scoring.
- David Mirkovic: 12 points, seven rebounds, and 4-of-5 from deep - a stretch big doing exactly what modern offenses need.
- Ben Humrichous: 13 points, seven rebounds, and three triples - another versatile forward who spaces the floor and crashes the glass.
- Keaton Wagler: 13 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and the buzzer-beater that sent the crowd into orbit. The freshman continues to look more comfortable with every game.
- Zvonimir Ivisic: 13 points, seven rebounds, two blocks, and 3-of-5 from three - a 7-footer with that kind of range and rim protection is a game-changer.
What’s Next
Illinois is rolling. With 12 straight wins and a roster firing on all cylinders, the Illini now head to East Lansing for a marquee showdown against No.
10 Michigan State on Saturday night. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. on FOX.
If Wednesday night was any indication, Illinois isn’t just trying to win the Big Ten - they’re building a case as one of the most complete teams in the country.