After a tough two-game skid, Illinois needed a response - and they delivered one in emphatic fashion. Back home at State Farm Center, the No. 8-ranked Fighting Illini took control early and never let up, cruising to a 71-51 win over Indiana on Sunday. It wasn’t just a bounce-back win - it was a statement that this team is still very much in the Big Ten title race.
Brad Underwood’s squad looked sharper, more connected, and more locked in defensively than they had in their recent losses to Michigan State and Wisconsin. And with the calendar inching closer to March, that kind of urgency matters.
Freshman forward David Mirković led the way with a breakout 25-point performance - the kind of game that doesn’t just rack up points but shifts momentum. Mirković played with poise and purpose, showing off a versatile offensive skill set that gave Indiana fits all afternoon. Whether it was attacking off the dribble, finishing through contact, or knocking down mid-range jumpers, he looked every bit the part of a future star in this conference.
Illinois (21-5, 12-3 Big Ten) needed someone to step up, and Mirković answered the call.
But it wasn’t just about offense. The Illini clamped down defensively in the second half, holding the Hoosiers to just 13 points after the break.
That’s not a typo - 13 points over 20 minutes of basketball. Illinois turned up the pressure, forced tough shots, and completely took Indiana out of rhythm.
For a team that had won five of its last six coming into the game, Indiana looked rattled and outmatched down the stretch.
Still, not everything was smooth sailing. Once again, officiating became a talking point - and not in a way that left anyone feeling good about it.
Underwood didn’t mince words postgame, voicing his frustration with how freshman guard Keaton Wagler continues to be officiated - or, more accurately, how he isn’t. Wagler, who finished with 18 points, took a hard shot to the head on a drive in the first half that went uncalled. Underwood said the officials later admitted they missed it, but that’s becoming a pattern he’s tired of seeing.
“He gets clubbed in the head,” Underwood said. “All of them came out and said they missed it.”
Wagler’s ability to play through contact and still produce is impressive, but Underwood made it clear that toughness shouldn’t be a reason to ignore fouls. The freshman doesn’t flop, doesn’t exaggerate contact - and that may be working against him in a league known for its physicality.
“He’s playing the game the right way,” Underwood added. “And he’s not trying to dupe anybody.”
With the win, Illinois stays firmly in the hunt for the Big Ten regular-season crown. And the path ahead doesn’t get any easier.
Next up is a tough West Coast swing - first against USC on Wednesday night, then a Saturday showdown with UCLA. Both teams are in the thick of the conference race, and both games will test Illinois’ depth and durability.
The Illini have already played 11 games in 33 days, and the grind isn’t slowing down.
Meanwhile, Indiana (17-9, 8-7 Big Ten) will try to regroup before heading to West Lafayette for a Friday night rivalry rematch with No. 13 Purdue. The Hoosiers won the first meeting, and a season sweep would be a massive boost for a team trying to stay relevant in the Big Ten standings.
But back to Illinois - if they can string together a couple more wins on the road, that sets the stage for a potential showdown with No. 2 Michigan in Champaign on February 27. That’s the kind of game that could decide the conference title.
And in a league as deep and competitive as the Big Ten, that’s exactly what you want heading into March.