Surging Illinois enters Wednesday’s visit from in-state rival Northwestern with a No. 5 ranking, an 11-game win streak and plenty of confidence.
The Fighting Illini (19-3, 10-1 Big Ten) vaulted into a tie atop the conference with No. 2 Michigan after rallying to win at then-No. 5 Nebraska on Sunday. It was Illinois’ second victory against a top five foe in the past nine days, adding to an 88-82 win over then-No. 4 Purdue on Jan. 24.
“I think we showed that we are a really good team, that we are really calm in tough moments,” center Tomislav Ivisic said. “Really smart team, makes good decisions. I just feel like we are a team that knows what to do and knows how to get things done in certain moments.”
Illinois will aim to channel its first league sweep of the season by channeling those attributes. Another big effort from freshman Keaton Wagler wouldn’t hurt either.
At Nebraska, Wagler scored 23 of his 28 points in the second half to help the Illini avenge their lone conference loss.
“I knew I had to step it up but I wasn’t worried,” Wagler said. “I mean, I’ve had low-scoring first halves before, and I’ve came out and scored a lot in the second half. So I kept doing what I always do, just let the game come to me.”
Wagler contributed 20 of his 22 points after the break to help the then-No. 13 Illini defeat host Northwestern 79-68 on Jan. 14.
Northwestern (10-12, 2-9) hopes to recharge for a two-game road trip to Illinois and Iowa after splitting a pair of recent home games.
Aiming for their first conference winning streak of the season on Saturday, the Wildcats lost 76-62 to Washington after thumping Penn State by 21 on Thursday.
“Two games in 48 hours at the Big Ten level with a lot of young guys playing, we have to get some rest here,” Wildcats coach Chris Collins said. “… (We’ll) come back on Monday, dust ourselves off and get ready for the next one.”
While Big Ten leading scorer Nick Martinelli (23.7 points per game) paced Northwestern with 19 points against Washington. Tre Singleton was the only other starter to score, registering 10 points.
The collective struggles from a youthful lineup that includes freshmen Jake West and Singleton created an opportunity for one-time starter Arrinten Page to shine.
Page poured in 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting to go with eight rebounds against Washington. He played 26 minutes, missing his only two attempts from the floor, after logging only three minutes against Penn State
Versus Washington, Page “was more like the guy we saw early in the season that played so well, so hopefully that will be a positive that he can build on,” Collins said.
A Cincinnati transfer, Page was a fixture in the frontcourt and starting lineup to start the season but has taken a reserve role lately.
“I’m a basketball player,” Page said, “so whenever (Collins) puts me out there, I just play hard.”
Illinois is 56-7 against Northwestern when it is ranked. Ivisic contributed 21 points during the Jan. 14 meeting while the Wildcats’ Jayden Reid led all scorers with 28 points off the bench.
Kylan Boswell (right hand fracture) remains out for Illinois.
