Illinois Holds Off Washington Behind Freshman Duo, Second-Chance Dominance
Keaton Wagler didn’t need to drop 46 like he did at Purdue to make his presence felt Wednesday night. The freshman guard still delivered in a big way, leading No.
9 Illinois to a 75-66 win over Washington in Champaign. It wasn’t his most explosive outing, but Wagler’s shotmaking and poise were once again front and center in a game where every bucket mattered.
Wagler teamed up with fellow freshman David Mirkovic to combine for 41 points, giving Illinois (18-3, 9-1) the offensive spark it needed on a night when Washington’s defense made things far from easy. The Illini came in averaging 85 points per game, but the Huskies held them 10 below that mark - a testament to the energy and effort Washington brought, especially in the first half.
But Illinois didn’t need a scoring avalanche to get the job done. They leaned on efficiency, timely shooting, and a major edge in hustle plays - particularly on the offensive glass. Ben Humrichous chipped in with 14 points off the bench, giving the Illini a veteran lift in a game that stayed close for most of the night.
Washington (11-10, 3-7) got a monster effort from Hannes Steinbach, who put together his 13th double-double of the season with 15 points and 12 rebounds in 38 hard-fought minutes. That performance puts him just one shy of Isaiah Stewart’s freshman record - and he earned every bit of it against one of the top frontcourts in the Big Ten.
Sophomore guard Zoom Diallo added his first career double-double with 12 points and 10 assists, showing impressive court vision and tempo control for most of the game. But his night took a tough turn late. With Washington trailing by seven and under five minutes to play, Diallo committed three turnovers in a span of less than two minutes - a critical stretch that helped Illinois create just enough separation to close things out.
Wesley Yates III was the third Husky in double figures, finishing with 13 points, including 10 in the first half when Washington desperately needed someone to keep them afloat. His shotmaking helped the Huskies survive a brutal shooting stretch, where they missed 13 of 15 shots during one key segment.
That cold spell came after Washington opened the game with a 7-0 run, catching Illinois flat-footed early. But Wagler quickly flipped the momentum with a deep three - the kind that makes you wonder if he’s got GPS tracking on the rim. He scored 11 in the first half alone, sparking a 10-0 Illinois run that turned the game on its head and reminded everyone why this Illini team is one of the most dangerous in the country when it finds rhythm.
Despite the Huskies’ strong defensive effort - arguably their best first half of the season - Illinois still found ways to be efficient. They shot over 40% from the field and knocked down 36% of their threes, staying within their offensive identity even when the game slowed down.
The second half turned into a back-and-forth battle. Washington cut the lead to four early in the half after a Steinbach three, but Illinois responded with a steady push that kept the Huskies at arm’s length. The Illini led by as many as 10 for most of the final stretch, and while Washington repeatedly chipped the deficit down to five, they could never quite get over the hump.
Every time the Huskies threatened, Illinois had an answer - and more often than not, it came from Wagler. His late three-pointer from well beyond the arc gave Illinois a 14-point cushion with just over a minute left, effectively sealing the win.
Washington did close with a 5-0 run to trim the final margin, but the numbers told the story. Both teams finished with 34 rebounds, but Illinois absolutely owned the second-chance category, outscoring Washington 24-4.
That’s not just a stat - it’s a dagger. You don’t lose the second-chance battle by 20 and expect to win on the road, especially against a top-10 team.
The Huskies did have one area of success: transition. They outscored Illinois 12-1 on fast breaks, showing what they can do when they get out and run. But those opportunities were few and far between, and Illinois’ halfcourt discipline kept the game at their preferred pace.
Now, Washington has to regroup quickly. They’re back on the road in less than 48 hours for a tough matchup against Northwestern - a team that just beat Penn State by 21. No rest for the weary, especially in conference play.
As for Illinois, they keep rolling. And if their freshmen keep playing like this? The ceiling only gets higher.