On December 13, 2025, the Nebraska Cornhuskers, ranked 23rd, faced off against the 13th-ranked Illinois Fighting Illini in a thrilling encounter that culminated in a dramatic finish. With the score tied at 80 and just 17 seconds remaining, Illinois center Tomislav Ivisic delivered a game-tying three-pointer, igniting hopes of an Illini comeback. However, in a heart-stopping turn of events, Huskers guard Jamarques Lawrence launched a high-pressure three-pointer as time expired, sealing an unexpected victory for Nebraska and sending shockwaves through the Illini faithful.
Since that fateful game, Illinois has turned its season around dramatically, going on to win nine consecutive games, six of which were by double digits. This impressive streak has seen the Illini’s offense reach a historic level and the defense finally coalesce into a formidable unit, despite some struggles against top competitors like Purdue.
The recent triumph at Purdue marked a significant milestone for Illinois, pushing their NET rankings to No. 6, up three spots from No. 9. This ascent places the Illini behind only Nebraska at No. 5 and Michigan at No. 2 among Big Ten teams. Coach Brad Underwood’s squad is set to face Nebraska again in Lincoln on February 1 and Michigan in Champaign on February 27, providing them with further opportunities to bolster their standings.
In addition to their marquee win at Purdue, Illinois boasts five other Quad 1 victories, a testament to their competitiveness. With six Quad 1 wins, they trail only Arizona and Duke nationally in this category, having secured vital victories on the road against strong opponents like Ohio State and Northwestern, and a neutral-site win against Tennessee.
As the season progresses, Illinois finds itself in a position that could potentially earn them a two seed in the NCAA Tournament. However, challenges lie ahead, including tough matchups and the recent injury to Kylan Boswell, making the path to postseason success anything but easy. Nevertheless, the Illini’s resilience and growth since their earlier defeat show that they are committed to making a significant impact as the tournament approaches.