Story Links
PROBABLE STARTERS (projected)
Pos.
No.
Name
Ht.
Wt.
Yr.
PPG
RPG
APG
Note
G
23
Keaton Wagler
6-6
185
Fr.
18.3
5.0
4.3
ILL freshman record holder for total pts (532)
G
4
Kylan Boswell
6-2
215
Sr.
13.9
4.3
3.5
Last 4G since return: 12.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 4.3 apg
F
15
Jake Davis
6-6
215
Jr.
5.8
2.2
0.7
Last 11G as starter: 8.4 ppg & 43% 3FG
F
0
David Mirkovic
6-9
250
Fr.
12.7
7.8
2.6
225 rebounds, second-most by ILL freshman
C
13
Tomislav Ivisic
7-1
255
Jr.
10.6
5.6
1.6
96 3FG, most in NCAA by 7-footer since ’24-25
OFF THE BENCH
Pos.
No.
Name
Ht.
Wt.
Yr.
PPG
RPG
APG
Note
G
1
Brandon Lee
6-4
195
Fr.
1.9
0.4
0.2
Career-high 5 points, 3 rebounds vs. Southern
G
2
Andrej Stojakovic
6-7
215
Jr.
13.2
4.3
1.0
22 pts (6-7 FG, 9-9 FT) in return at USC (2/18)
F
3
Ben Humrichous
6-9
235
Gr.
6.3
4.2
0.8
10.3 ppg & 50% 3FG (9-18) last 3 games
G
5
AJ Redd
6-3
170
Sr.
1.0
0.5
0.0
Former team manager
G
8
Blake Fagbemi
6-0
180
Fr.
0.3
1.3
0.5
Has played in eight games
G/F
20
Ty Rodgers
6-6
210
r-Jr.
–
–
–
Out indefinitely following knee surgery
C
31
Jason Jakstys
6-10
225
r-Fr.
1.3
1.9
0.2
Out for season
F/C
44
Zvonimir Ivisic
7-2
250
Jr.
6.9
4.8
0.3
4th nationally in block rate at 13.7%
G
77
Mihailo Petrovic
6-2
180
So.
2.1
0.7
1.3
1st B1G pts, career-high 3 reb vs. Minnesota
Head Coach Brad Underwood
Career Record: 296-135 (.687), 13th year
At Illinois: 187-108 (.634), 9th year
Big Ten: 105-71 (.600)
Series History vs. Oregon
All-Time Record / Streak: Illinois leads 5-2 / Illinois W-1
Last Meeting: #22 Illinois 109, #9 Oregon 77 (1/2/2025 in Eugene)
Record in Champaign: First meeting
Underwood vs. Oregon: 1-0
OPENING TIPS
- No. 11 Illinois plays its final home game of the season on Tuesday night, hosting Oregon at State Farm Center.
- The Illini will honor Kylan Boswell, Ben Humrichous, and AJ Redd along with five student managers in a pregame Senior Night ceremony (details, p. 3).
- Entering the final week of the regular season, Illinois has a seed range of 2-7 for the Big Ten Tournament, set for March 10-15 at the United Center in Chicago. The Illini have locked up a double-bye and can secure a triple-bye into Friday’s quarterfinals with two wins this week, or one win coupled with a Wisconsin loss.
- With two games remaining, Illinois’ 13-5 Big Ten record is its best in the Underwood era since finishing 15-5 in 2021-22 to earn a share of the regular season championship.
- Keaton Wagler ranks fourth in the Kenpom Player of the Year standings, second in the Big Ten behind Michigan’s Yaxel Lendeborg (3), and ahead of Michigan State’s Jeremy Fears (6), Purdue’s Braden Smith (8), and Michigan’s Aday Mara (10).
- Wagler has totaled 532 points to set the Illini freshman scoring record, breaking the previous program record of 494 points set by Cory Bradford in 1998-99 and equaled by Kasparas Jakucionis last year.
- Illinois leads the nation in adjusted offensive efficiency (132.2), owning what currently stands as the highest offensive rating in the history of the kenpom era (since 1996-97).
- Illinois has six Quad 1A wins, tied for second-most in the NCAA behind Duke (7).
- Illinois has won at least 13 Big Ten games five times in the last seven seasons, as head coach Brad Underwood accounts for five of the eight-winningest Big Ten seasons in program history with a school-record 16 wins in 2021, 15 in 2022, 14 in 2024, and 13 in both 2020 and 2026.
- Illinois’ run of seven straight seasons with at least 11 Big Ten wins is the program’s longest streak since also doing so for seven years in a row from 2000 through 2006.
- Illinois has secured its seventh straight 20-win regular season under Brad Underwood. Illinois, Gonzaga, and Houston are the only three programs to win at least 20 regular season games every year since 2019-20.
- Illinois is 13-3 at home, averaging 86.4 points in home games with an average scoring margin of +19.8 ppg.
SENIOR NIGHT
- Illinois basketball will recognize three players and five senior managers at State Farm Center on Tuesday night in a pregame ceremony, approximately 25 minutes before tipoff (beginning at 7:35 p.m. CT).
- Players
- Kylan Boswell (Champaign, Ill.) returned home to Champaign after beginning his career with two highly successful seasons at Arizona, and has taken his game to another level in a Fighting Illini uniform. While building a reputation as one of the toughest guards and perimeter defenders in the nation, he has tallied 736 points, 263 rebounds, 197 assists, and 58 steals in Orange and Blue over the last two seasons. Boswell is capping a specatucular collegiate career in which he has amassed 1,244 total points, 402 rebounds, 383 assists, and 134 steals. He has led the Illini with 39 games in double-figures scoring over the last two seasons, and recorded only the seventh triple-double in program history with his 18-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist line in the Illini’s win last season over Chicago State. Boswell is pursuing his degree in communication from Illinois.
- Ben Humrichous (Tipton, Ind.) joined the Illini as a grad transfer and has made an immediate impact as one of the top 3-point threats in the Big Ten over the last two seasons, averaging 7.0 points and 4.0 rebounds while shooting 35% from 3-point range with more than 100 makes from beyond the arc. Humrichous has made at least one 3-pointer in 51 of 64 games with the Illini and his 108 total triples are first in the nation among power conference players 6-9 or taller over the last two seasons. He has recorded 449 points, 255 rebounds, 55 assists, 42 blocks, and 27 steals in an Illini uniform. In December, Humrichous wed former Illinois women’s basketball player Adalia McKenzie. He already earned a degree from Illinois in recreation, sport, & tourism, and is now pursuing a graduate certificate in business analytics.
- AJ Redd (Chicago, Ill.) has been an integral part of Illinois Basketball during one of the most successful eras in program history. Redd was added to the Illini roster as a walkon on Dec. 21, 2022 after spending his first semester as a student manager. Since stepping foot on campus, he has helped the Fighting Illini to 93 wins and was a part of the Illini’s run to the 2024 Big Ten Championship and NCAA Elite Eight. Redd has appeared in 34 career games in an Illini uniform and will graduate from Illinois with a degree in finance.
- Managers
- Drew Hackler (Pana, Ill.) is a two-year manager majoring in communication
- John Kramer (Huntley, Ill.) is a four-year manager majoring in information sciences.
- Aidan Maher, head manager (Park Ridge, Ill.) is a three-year manager majoring in recreation, sport, & tourism.
- Luka Pina (Chicago, Ill.) is a four-year manager majoring in recreation, sport, & tourism.
- Landon Redfearn (Elmhurst, Ill.) is a three-year manager majoring in finance.
WAGLER’S WORLD
- Illini star Keaton Wagler’s rapid ascent during his freshman season has been remarkable for an unheralded recruit. Now contending for Big Ten Player of the Year and All-America honors, the Shawnee, Kansas native was ranked 150th by 247Sports and 179th by Rivals in the Class of 2025, and he had just two high-major offers before committing to the Fighting Illini.
- Wagler is ranked No. 4 in the kenpom national player of the year standings, and second among B1G players.
- Among players with at least 24% possessions used, Wagler ranks second nationally in offensive rating at 134.1, just behind Duke’s Cameron Boozer (134.3).
- In what is being recognized as one of the most talented freshman classes in college basketball history, Wagler is one of only two first-year players in the nation averaging at least 18.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists on the season, along with Duke’s Cameron Boozer.
- Since moving to the point guard position at the beginning of December, Wagler is averaging 20.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists over the last 21 games on 46% shooting from the field, 44.2% from three, and 81.6% from the line, while leading the Illini to a 16-5 record during this stretch.
- Wagler has scored in double figures in each of the last 21 games, and team-leading 26 times on the season.
- Wagler ranks fifth in the Big Ten in scoring during conference play, averaging 20.8 points.
- Wagler ranks second in the Big Ten in 3-point field goal shooting at 42.3% (71-168).
- Wagler has netted 532 points on the season, breaking the Illinois freshman season scoring record. He eclipsed the previous mark of 494 points set by Cory Bradford in 1998-99 and equaled by Kasparas Jakucionis last year.
- Wagler’s overall scoring average of 18.3 points per game is on pace to break the Illini freshman scoring average record set by Kiwane Garris, who averaged 15.9 ppg in 1993-94.
- Wagler has nine 20+-point games this season, one off the Illini freshman record of 10 set last year by Kasparas Jakucionis, who is now a rookie with the Miami Heat.
- After scoring 34 on Feb. 10 vs. Wisconsin to go with his 46 points at Purdue on Jan. 24, Wagler joined Kiwane Garris as the only two freshmen in Illini history with multiple 30+-point games.
- Wagler has earned a conference-leading six Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors this season. His six awards are the second-most in school history behind Kofi Cockburn (7) in 2019-20.
- Wagler has been named to the Naismith Trophy Late-Season Team, and was added to Midseason Watch Lists for the Wooden Award (Top 20) and Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Award (Top 10). He was also named the Oscar Robertson High-Major Player of the Month for January by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association.
- Wagler earned National Player of the Week honors on Jan. 26 following one of the greatest scoring performances in college basketball history with a record 46 points in the Illini’s win at No. 4 Purdue (see p. 3 for full list of Wagler’s records set).
ILLINI ITEMS
- The Illini were projected as a No. 2 seed, seventh overall, when the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee revealed its top 16 teams on Feb. 21.
- Illinois has eight Quad 1 wins, tied for fifth in the NCAA (through games played March 1). Six of Illinois’ eight wins in this category are Quad 1A, tied for second-most in the nation behind Duke (7).
- Illinois is No. 5 overall in the NET rankings, second in the Big Ten behind Michigan (2). Illinois is 14-7 on the season combined in Quad 1 and Quad 2 games, and 8-0 combined in Quad 3 and Quad 4 matchups.
- Illinois is ranked No. 5 in kenpom, just behind the highest rating of the Brad Underwood era. The Illini finished the 2020-21 season at No. 4.
- Illinois leads the nation in adjusted offensive efficiency (132.2). Offensive coordinator Tyler Underwood has helped Brad Underwood implement a top-15 offense for the third straight season after ranking third in 2024 (125.5) and 14th last year (121.9).
- Illinois is No. 11 in both the AP poll and coaches polls. Illinois has been ranked in the AP Top 25 in each of the last seven seasons under Brad Underwood, and in every ranking released so far this season.
- With two games remaining, Illinois’ 13-5 Big Ten record is its best in the Underwood era since finishing 15-5 in 2021-22 to tie for the regular season championship.
- Illinois has defeated two Top-5 teams, with wins at No. 4 Purdue and at No. 5 Nebraska. The school record for Top-5 wins in a season is three, set by the 1951-52 Illini squad.
- Illinois is the only team to finish above .500 in Big Ten play every year since 2019-20.
- The Illini have the most wins in Big Ten play since 2019-20 with 94 victories. During that span, Illinois also leads all teams with 41 league road wins.
- When including the conference tournament, the Illini have a league-leading 101 wins over Big Ten teams the last seven seasons, and are tied for the lead with three B1G championships during that span.
- Illinois is 9-4 away from home this season, and 7-2 in true road games, all in Big Ten play.
- Illinois is the tallest team in the nation, with an average height of 80.0 inches (kenpom).
- Four Fighting Illini average at least 12 points per game, tied for the most nationally: Keaton Wagler (18.3 ppg), Kylan Boswell (13.9), Andrej Stojakovic (13.2), and David Mirkovic (12.7).
- Illinois is the only team in the nation with seven players averaging at least 4.0 rebounds: David Mirkovic (7.8 rpg), Tomislav Ivisic (5.6), Keaton Wagler (5.0), Zvonimir Ivisic (4.8), Andrej Stojakovic (4.3), Kylan Boswell (4.3), and Ben Humrichous (4.2).
- Illinois is first in the nation in defensive free throw rate (19.7), and second in fewest fouls per game (13.2).
- Illinois ranks sixth in the NCAA and first in the Big Ten with a free-throw percentage of 79.1%. Last year the Illini shot 76.2% at the free-throw line, the second-best season mark in school history behind the 2014-15 team that holds the single-season record at 79.4%.
- Illinois ranks second in the Big Ten with a scoring average of 84.6 points per game. The Illini led the B1G in scoring last season (83.6 ppg).
- Along with the No. 1-rated offense (132.2) of the kenpom era, the Illini are No. 32 in defense (99.1) this year.
- Illinois is averaging 16.2 second chance points per game (470), which leads the Big Ten.
- Illinois ranks second in the Big Ten averaging 11.2 three-pointers and has made 10+ 3-pointers in a Big Ten-leading 21 games this season with a 16-5 record.
- The Illini have knocked down at least 10 triples in 17 of the last 21 games, highlighted by school-record tying 18 treys in the win at No. 4 Purdue (Jan. 24), and 17 threes in the team’s home win vs. Northwestern (Feb. 4).
- Illinois has outrebounded its opponent in 25 of 29 games this season and ranks second in the Big Ten (seventh nationally) in rebound margin at +10.1 rpg. Illinois is 21-4 when it wins the battle on the glass.
- Eight different players have been the Illini’s leading scorer in a game this season. That ranks first in the Big Ten and is tied for fifth nationally behind Illinois State, George Washington, Tarleton State, and VCU (9).
- Illinois is No. 5 in the kenpom rankings with an adjusted efficiency margin +33.11. The Illini have had a kenpom rating of 35th or better each of the last six years under Brad Underwood, and have matched the team’s high ranking of No. 4 to close out the 2020-21 season. Illinois posted consecutive top-20 rankings the last two seasons: 10th in 2023-24 and 17th in 2024-25.
- At its current scoring pace (84.6 ppg), this year’s Illini are challenging to become just the sixth team in program history to average at least 85.0 points for a full season. The Illini opened the 2025-26 campaign with seven straight games of 80+ points. It marked the most such games to open a campaign since the 1988-89 Flyin’ Illini scored 80+ in each of their first 12 contests.
- Brad Underwood has led Illinois to 32 wins over top-25 opponents since 2019-20, with 23 of those wins coming in ranked-vs.-ranked matchups. Illinois’ 32 top-25 victories are tied for ninth-most in the NCAA during that span. This season the Illini have ranked wins over No. 11 Texas Tech at home, vs. No. 13 Tennessee in Nashville, at No. 19 Iowa, at No. 4 Purdue, and at No. 5 Nebraska.
- Illinois is 5-5 this season vs. AP Top 25 teams. Illinois has won 5+ games vs. ranked opponents in four of the last six seasons under head coach Brad Underwood.
- As a team, Illinois ranks in the top three in the Big Ten, and among the top 50 programs nationally in 11 categories: The Illini lead the Big Ten with 13.2 fouls per game (second in the NCAA), a .791 free-throw percentage (sixth), 11.3 3-pointers per game (ninth), 31.6 3-point attempts per game (11th), 40.8 total rebounds per game (13th), and 13.3 offensive rebounds per game (18th), and rank second in the league with a +10.1 rebound margin (seventh in the NCAA), a +15.1 scoring margin (12th), and a scoring offense of 84.6 points per game (23rd). The Illini are third in the B1G with 27.5 defensive rebounds per game (20th in the NCAA), and 4.8 blocks per game (24th).
- Andrej Stojakovic is the second active Illini to reach 1,000 career points, reaching the milestone Jan. 17 vs. Minnesota. Stojakovic now has 1,115 points to rank behind Kylan Boswell (1,244) in the 1,000-point club.
- Illinois has claimed seven of 15 Big Ten Freshman of the Week selections this season. Keaton Wagler leads the Big Ten with six honors, while David Mirkovic has garnered two nods.
- Freshman G Keaton Wagler has scored in double-figures in 21 consecutive games dating back to the Illini’s win over No. 13 Tennessee on Dec. 6, including an historic 46-point outburst in a win at No. 4 Purdue on Jan. 24 (more on p. 3). During that stretch, Wagler is averaging a team-leading 20.2 points per game, and ranks third in rebounding at 4.9 boards per contest, while shooting 46.0% (126-274) overall, 44.2% (61-138) from 3-point range, and 81.6% (111-136) from the free-throw line. Wagler also leads the team with 108 assists and 20 steals during that stretch.
- Keaton Wagler leads the Illini and ranks among the Big Ten leaders with: a .423 3-point percentage (3rd), 183 free-throw attempts (4th), 149 free-throws made (5th), 532 total points (7th), 71 3-pointers made (8th), 2.45 3-pointers per game (8th), 18.3 points per game (9th), 344 field goal attempts (9th), 124 total assists (11th), 168 3-point attempts (11th), 4.3 assists per game (12th), 156 field goals made (12th), and a .453 field goal percentage (18th). Wagler also ranks 11th in the Big Ten minutes per game at 33:24.
- Freshman F David Mirkovic is one of only three freshmen in the nation, along with Duke’s Cameron Boozer and North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson, averaging at least 12.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists.
- A two-time Big Ten Freshman of the Week, David Mirkovic leads the Illini and ranks among the Big Ten leaders with: 225 total rebounds (5th), 7.8 total rebounds per game (5th), 5.4 defensive rebounds per game (5th), six double-doubles (9th), 2.3 offensive rebounds per game (9th). Mirkovic is also fourth on the team with a scoring average of 12.7 ppg (37th).
- Senior G Kylan Boswell is the Illini’s active career leader with 1,244 career points (736 at Illinois), with eight 20+ point games and 39 career double-digit scoring games in Orange and Blue. Boswell has eclipsed the 20-point mark eight times over the last two years, including five times this season.
- Junior G Andrej Stojakovic transferred to Illinois with a reputation as a prolific scorer and is averaging 14.0 points on 50.2% shooting. Stojakovic has six games this season with 20+ points, highlighted by 30 points vs. Maryland and 26 points vs. No. 11 Alabama. Stojakovic also posted 23 points the win over No. 11 Texas Tech, and scored 20 and 24, respectively, in Illinois’ wins over LIU and UTRGV. In Big Ten play, Stojakovic scored 22 in the Illini’s 101-65 victory at USC. Stojakovic has led the Illini in scoring in seven games this season.
- Twin 7-footers Tomislav Ivisic and Zvonimir Ivisic rank among the top shooting big men in college basketball. Tomislav is first in the NCAA among 7-footers with 13 games this season with multiple 3-pointers, while Zvonimir is tied for second with nine such games. Tomislav also leads the NCAA among 7-footers at 1.6 3-pointers per game, while Zvonimir ranks tied for sixth at 0.9 triples per contest.
- Zvonimir Ivisic ranks fourth nationally in block rate at 13.7%. He is second in the Big Ten in total blocks (65) and blocks per game (2.2), 15th and 17th in the nation, respectively. His average would rank second all-time in Illinois’ record book behind Derek Holcomb (3.0 bpg in 1978-79). The last Illini to average more than two blocks was Nnanna Egwu (2.1 bpg) in 2013-14.
- Ben Humrichous and Jake Davis have been steady role players in helping the Illini to the nation’s most efficient offense. Humrichous is ranked No. 2 by kenpom with a turnover rate of 3.9%, and has committed just five turnovers on the year, first nationally among players with at least 500 minutes played. Davis ranks second on that list with just six turnovers. Among all players, regardless of usage rate, Davis (146.2) and Ben Humrichous (137.9), rank second and 10th in the country, respectively, in offensive efficiency rating by kenpom.
ILLINOIS VS. OREGON
- Tuesday is the eighth game in the all-time series between Illinois and Oregon, and just the second since the Ducks joined the Big Ten Conference. Illinois leads the series, 5-2.
- Tuesday’s contest will be the first in the series at State Farm Center after Illinois’ win last year in Eugene in the inaugural Big Ten matchup between the programs. The first six games in the series were all played at neutral sites.
- In last year’s 109-77 win for #22 Illinois at #9 Oregon, the Illini shot 55% (16-29) from 3-point range. Tre White posted a 20-point, 11-rebound double-double and Ben Humrichous poured in 18 points, including 4-for-7 shooting from distance. Kasparas Jakucionis (16 points), Kylan Boswell (15), Jake Davis (12), and Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn (11) gave the Illini six double-digit scorers. The 32-point road win over was the largest margin of victory ever by a road team over an AP Top-10 opponent, and the largest road win in Illinois history against any Top 25 team.
ILLINI IN THE NET
- Illinois is No. 5 in the NCAA NET ranking though games played March 1.
- The Illini’s No. 5 rating ranks second in the Big Ten behind Michigan (2).
- The Illini are 8-6 vs. Quad 1, 6-1 vs. Quad 2, 3-0 vs. Quad 3, and 5-0 vs. Quad 4.
- Illinois’ eight Quad 1 wins are tied for fifth nationally.
- Illinois has six Quad 1A victories, tied for second in the nation behind Duke (7).
- The Illini close the regular season with a pair of Quad 3 matchups:
» Quad 3 (2): vs. Oregon (107), and at Maryland (146)
ILLINOIS WHEN RANKED
- The No. 11 Illini have played all 29 games this season ranked in the Top 25.
- Illinois is 674-274 (.711) all-time in 948 games when ranked in the AP Top 25. The program is 368-56 at home, including a 290-43 mark at State Farm Center, 166-152 on the road, and 140-64 at neutral sites.
- Under head coach Brad Underwood, Illinois is 112-50 (.691) when ranked.
