How to Watch Illinois at Northwestern: Game Time, TV Channel, Online Streaming and Odds

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How to Watch Illinois at Northwestern

Game Time: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday

TV Channel: BTN

Online Streaming: FoxSportsGO

Odds: N/A (Illinois 73.2% Chance To Win – ESPN Matchup Predictor)

Quick Hits:

Illinois Fighting Illini (13-3, 4-1 Big Ten)

Head Coach: Brad Underwood (9th season)

Last Game: Illinois 75, Iowa 69

Gameday Reading:

Zvonimir Ivisic is the rim protecter Brad Underwood has been looking for

Illinois’ path to the next level is simple: Win the possession battle

Northwestern Wildcats (8-8, 0-5 Big Ten)

Head Coach: Chris Collins (13th season)

Last Game: Rutgers 77, Northwestern 75

What Happened the Last Time These Two Teams Played?

Illinois leads the all-time series 144-46.

Jan. 26, 2025: Illinois 83, Northwestern 74

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — A step in the right direction, but still some things to work on.

After a disappointing home loss to Maryland on Thursday, Illinois bounced back in a big way against Northwestern, beating their in-state rivals 83-74 on Sunday afternoon at State Farm Center.

“We had to make sure we played hard,” Morez Johnson said. “They (Maryland) set the tone from the first few possessions. We had to make sure we set the tone this game.”

Northwestern managed to steal a win over Illinois in December, upsetting the Illini in overtime, despite Illinois maintaining a double-digit lead in the second half. But the young Illini — who entered having lost three of their last four, including two at home — didn’t have those same issues on Sunday.

Illinois (14-6, 6-4 Big Ten) had control of the game from tip to finish. After a slow offensive start from both teams, the Illini went on a 15-0 run over the course of five minutes to take a sizable lead over Northwestern (12-8, 3-6 Big Ten). Illinois led by as many as 24 points in the opening half.

Northwestern did heat up offensively late in the second half, but dug itself too deep a hole with its poor first-half shooting. Illinois was able to maintain roughly a 20-point lead for most of the second half, until Northwestern made a furious comeback late in the game. A 16-5 run by the ‘Cats cut the Illini lead to just eight points with under a minute to go.

“It’s your job to show up and play hard every day,” said Brad Underwood. “We can be that team. We can be really special…We can sure control how doggone hard we play and how much fight we have and how much grit we have.”

The Illini got back to their bread and butter offensively, snagging 20 offensive rebounds. They outscored a physical Northwestern squad in the paint, 32-28. It was a well-rounded offensive attack, with Kylan Boswell’s 17 points leading the team in scoring. Five Illini players scored in double figures.

The Illini defense, however, was what won them the game. Northwestern shot just 44% on the day. Brooks Barnhizer (18.5 PPG) was held to 3 points on 1-for-7 FG after scoring 17 points in Northwestern’s December win.

With starting center Tomislav Ivisic out for the second consecutive game, Morez Johnson Jr. started once again. Johnson had the tough task of slowing down Northwestern star Nick Martinelli (19.9 PPG), who went for 27 points the last time the two teams met. Martinelli did record 17 points, but shot just 7-for-19 from the field. Johnson was a huge factor on the offensive side of the ball too, throwing down a number of vicious dunks.

“Yeah, I thought Morez was great,” said Northwestern head coach Chris Collins after the game. “I’ve seen him play since he was in ninth grade. He’s a warrior. He’s tough. I’m a huge fan. He’s a really good player now and he’s gonna be a great player.”

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