Indiana is heating up at just the right time, and now comes the real test.
The Hoosiers have won five of their last six games, pushing their way back into the NCAA Tournament conversation. But the road ahead is no cakewalk - and it starts with a trip to Champaign to face No. 7 Illinois, a team that’s been dominant for much of the season but suddenly finds itself trying to stop the bleeding after back-to-back overtime losses.
Indiana (17-8, 8-6 Big Ten) is riding the hot hand of Lamar Wilkerson, who’s been nothing short of electric. The senior guard has scored at least 19 points in six straight games, averaging a blistering 28.2 points per game over that stretch.
That run includes a 41-point explosion against Oregon - a performance that turned heads and put his name firmly in the national spotlight. He’s been the engine for Indiana’s offense, and if the Hoosiers are going to keep this momentum going, it’ll likely be Wilkerson leading the charge.
But he’s not doing it alone. Tucker DeVries continues to be a steady two-way presence, averaging 13.8 points and 5.5 rebounds, while Tayton Conerway adds 10.5 points and 3.8 assists, giving Indiana some much-needed balance in the backcourt.
On the other side, Illinois (20-5, 11-3 Big Ten) had been rolling - 12 straight wins at one point - before falling in consecutive overtime heartbreakers. The Illini are still one of the most dangerous teams in the country, especially at home, but they’ll be without a key piece today.
Andrej Stojakovic, their second-leading scorer, is out with an ankle injury. He’s been averaging 13.7 points and 4.6 rebounds, and his absence leaves a noticeable gap in Illinois’ offensive attack.
There is some good news for the Illini, though: Kylan Boswell, who’s missed seven games with a broken hand, is available. Boswell brings 14.3 points and 4.2 rebounds per game, and his return could be a major boost - especially with Stojakovic sidelined.
Keaton Wagler will be the focal point for Illinois. The junior guard is putting together a standout season, averaging 18.5 points, 4.3 assists, and 4.9 rebounds, while shooting a blistering 43.7% from beyond the arc. He’s been the go-to guy in crunch time, and he’ll have to shoulder even more of the load today.
Illinois has been dominant on the glass in Big Ten play, owning an 8.7-rebound advantage per game and pulling down 12.4 offensive boards, both tops in the conference. They also lead the Big Ten in made threes per game (nearly 12), though they rank dead last in steals, averaging fewer than three per contest.
The matchup tips off at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, Feb. 15, from State Farm Center in Champaign. It’s a pivotal game for both teams - Indiana looking to stay hot and solidify its tournament résumé, and Illinois trying to snap a mini-skid and reassert itself as one of the nation’s elite.
This is also the beginning of a tough stretch for Indiana, with road games at Purdue and a home tilt against Michigan State still ahead. But under first-year head coach Darian DeVries, the Hoosiers have shown resilience.
DeVries, who came to Bloomington after a successful one-year turnaround at West Virginia, has Indiana sitting at 17-8 in his debut season. Before that, he built a consistent winner at Drake, making three NCAA Tournament appearances and never winning fewer than 20 games in a season.
Illinois, meanwhile, continues to be a force under Brad Underwood, now in his ninth season. He’s guided the Illini to five NCAA Tournament berths and a Big Ten regular-season title, building a program that’s consistently in the national conversation.
So, what’s at stake today? For Indiana, it’s a chance to prove this recent surge is more than just a hot streak - it’s a statement. For Illinois, it’s about bouncing back, protecting home court, and showing that those overtime losses were just blips, not trends.
Tip-off’s coming. Buckle up.