Overview
- Nick Boyd scored 25 points and John Blackwell added 24, with Austin Rapp hitting clutch late threes to erase a double-digit gap and force overtime.
- Illinois freshman Keaton Wagler led all scorers with 34 points as Tomislav Ivisic posted 19 points and 11 rebounds in the home loss.
- Wisconsin committed just four turnovers and sank 16 threes, while Illinois finished 11-for-19 at the line with 13 turnovers and a season-low eight offensive boards.
- The Illini played short-handed without starters Kylan Boswell (hand) and Andrej Stojakovic (ankle), relying on a tight rotation that faded late.
- The Badgers improved to 17-7 (9-4 Big Ten) for a second top-10 road win this season and their first in Champaign since 2019, as Illinois fell to 20-5 (11-3) and coach Brad Underwood criticized officiating before leaving his postgame presser.