Sturdy's Game Preview: Big Ten Opener

By Brad Sturdy - IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst & Co-Host, IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular

March 13, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)

The Illini are in Chicago with an opportunity on Friday to likely secure a 2-seed in the big dance with a win over a Wisconsin team that has some of the best wins in the country this season. The Badgers beat Illinois back on February 10th in Champaign 92-90 in overtime, but the Illini were without Kylan Boswell and Andrej Stojakovic. Nick Boyd and John Blackwell combined for 49 points and reserve big man Austin Rapp had 18 . . .

 

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570 Illini Feast on Ducks

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2.27.26 - Reaction to Illini Loss to Michigan, Deon Thomas & More

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569 Illini Fall to B1G Champs 84-70

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568 Illini Hoops Update

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567 Illini Fall to Bruins 95-94 in OT

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2.20.26 - Illini Men's & Women's Hoops Update

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566 Illini Slay Trojans

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565 Illini Defeat Hoosiers 71-51 in Boswell’s Return

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2.13.26 - Illini Hoops Update, Hauck new DC & Pete Babcock

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564 Illini Lead Evaporates in 92-90 OT Loss to Wisconsin

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563 Inside Scoop on New Illini DC Bobby Hauck

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562 Illini Fall 85-82 to MSU in OT

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