Sturdy's Game Preview: Top 10 Showdown

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

February 1, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)

The Illini flew into Lincoln on Saturday for their biggest game of the season, at least this week. They will take on the surprising Nebraska Cornhuskers who continue to defy expectations. In their first meeting, the Illini lost 83-80 on a last second 3 pointer, but Nebraska controlled the game with their physicality and offensive precision for much of the afternoon before a late Illini surge almost stole the game.

Since that outing, Illinois has been the #1 team . . .

 

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558 Illini Win Lifts the Streak to 10

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557 Sturdy & Stevens on the Keaton Wagler Game

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556 Illini Defeat Purdue 88-82 in the Keaton Wagler Game

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1.23.26 - Illinois vs Purdue - Top 15 Showdown

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555 - CJ Moore Talks Keaton Wagler, the NBA Draft & Illini Tourney Expectations

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554 - Illini Flush Terrapins 89-70 for 8th Win in a Row

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553 Illini Beat Minnesota Winning Streak Up to 7

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1.16.26 - Illini Hoops Update, Portal Kombat & CFP Future

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552 - Illini Break 3-Game Losing Streak at Northwestern

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551 Illini Road Win Over Iowa 75-69

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1.9.26 - Portal Kombat, Illini Women & A'ja Wilson & Illini vs Iowa Coming Up

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550 Illini Crush Rutgers 81-55

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549 Illini Portal Kombat Wins with Steve Sturm

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548 Illini Strangle Penn State 73-65

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