#illinois-fighting-illini

#illinois-fighting-illini

Big Ten action on Saturday will see the the No. 10 Illinois Fighting Illini (22-5, 13-3 Big Ten) visit the UCLA Bruins (17-9, 9-6 Big Ten) at Pauley Pavilion, beginning at 8 p.m. ET. In its previous game, Illinois topped USC on Wednesday, 101-65. Its leading scorer was Andrej Stojakovic with 22 points. UCLA lost its most recent game to Michigan State, 82-59, on Tuesday. Tyler Bilodeau was its leading scorer with 22 points.

For the last few days, smack dab in the middle of his long-awaited breakthrough at USC, Arenas had gotten sick. He'd spent the last few days worn down, leaving his status for Wednesday night's marquee matchup with No. 10 Illinois uncertain. But the Trojans star freshman had refused to sit out, resolving instead to tough it out against a true Big Ten contender, even if he wasn't at 100%.

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights (9-16) will try to stop a seven-game losing streak when they visit the Illinois Fighting Illini (17-8) on February 17, 2026 at State Farm Center. Illinois won its previous game versus Wisconsin, 92-60, on Wednesday. Aaliyah Guyton led the way with 22 points, plus two rebounds and six assists. Rutgers lost its most recent game to Purdue, 72-57, on Saturday. Nene Ndiaye was its high scorer with 25 points.

Keaton Wagler scored a career-high 46 points, making nine 3-pointers, as No. 11 Illinois defeated No. 4 Purdue 88-82 on Saturday. Wagler, a freshman guard, shot 13 for 17 overall, 9 of 11 from 3-point range and 11 of 13 on free throws. David Mirkovic added 12 points and eight rebounds for the Illini (17-3, 8-1 Big Ten). Braden Smith led the Boilermakers (17-3, 7-2) with 27 points and 12 assists.