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2d ago

No. 9 Illinois Tops No. 5 Nebraska 78-69 in Lincoln to Extend Streak to 11

The win pulls Illinois into a tie atop the Big Ten standings.

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WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA - JANUARY 24: Keaton Wagler #23 of the Illinois Fighting Illini brings the ball up the court against the Purdue Boilermakers at Mackey Arena on January 24, 2026 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
Feb 1, 2026; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood walks onto the court before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images
Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Fred Hoiberg walks onto the court before the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

Overview

  • Illinois improved to 19-3 overall and 10-1 in the Big Ten, drawing level with Michigan for first place.
  • Nebraska drilled 11 threes before halftime, then managed only four after the break against a tightened Illini defense.
  • Freshman Keaton Wagler led Illinois with 28 points, including 23 in the second half, plus five rebounds and five assists.
  • Nebraska fell to 20-2 and 9-2 in the league with a second straight loss as Braden Frager returned from an ankle injury to score 20.
  • Illinois notched consecutive top-5 road victories for the first time in program history and dominated free throws 21-4 with a 40-27 rebounding edge.