Skip to content
TrackPodcasts
sportsMar 12, 20261:24

Illinois vs Wisconsin: Big Ten Tournament Showdown

About this episode

Illinois and Wisconsin face off in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals, with both teams boasting impressive records. The Illini, seeded fourth, have a 24-7 record, while the Badgers, seeded fifth, are 23-9. The game tips off Friday at 1:30 PM central time at the United Center in Chicago, airing on the Big Ten Network.

Since their February loss to Wisconsin, Illinois has struggled, going 4-2 and dropping games to UCLA and Michigan. Meanwhile, the Badgers have been on a roll, winning 6 out of their last 8 games, including key victories against Michigan State, Iowa, and Purdue.

Wisconsins guards, Nick Boyd and John Blackwell, have been particularly dangerous, combining for 57 points in their last game against Washington. Blackwell broke a tournament scoring record with 34 points. Illinois must be prepared for their hot three-point shooting, especially after the Badgers carved up their defense in their previous meeting.

Both teams are evenly matched, and Illinois cannot afford to look ahead to a potential Michigan matchup. The Badgers present a significant threat right now, particularly if the Illini fail to tighten up on the perimeter.

Support the show:
Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn.

Advertise on DNN:
[email protected]

This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.
Report issues to [email protected].

View sources & latest updates:
https://sources.thednn.ai/0939a1c0357a0503

Get every episode summarized

Each time College Basketball News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.

Email me new episodes

Free for 3 shows. No card needed.

Hosts & guests

Transcript ready

14 searchable segments. Every word is indexed and playable.

Illinois vs Wisconsin: Big Ten Tournament Showdown

College Basketball News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now!

0:00
1:24

Full transcript

College Basketball News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now!Illinois vs Wisconsin: Big Ten Tournament Showdown. Machine-transcribed; use the interactive transcript above to jump the player to any line.

On March 12, Illinois faces a tough test in the Big Ten Tournament quarter-finals against Wisconsin. The fourth-seated fighting Alinae entered with a 24-and-7 record, while the fifth-seated Badgers are 23-and-9. The game tips off Friday, around 1.30 pm. Central time at the United Center in Chicago, airing on the Big Ten Network. Since Wisconsin's overtime upset over Illinois, back on February 10th in Champaign, the Alini have gone just 4-and-2. They've dropped games to UCLA and Michigan that expose some weaknesses. Meanwhile, the Badgers have been on fire at 6-and-2, picking up key wins against Michigan State, Iowa, and Purdue. That February lost Stung for Illinois, coming right after an overtime defeat at Michigan State. It marked their first two-game skid of the season and shook their confidence as a title contender. Wisconsin's guards carved up the Alini defense and held strong on the boards. On Wednesday, though same guards, Nick Boyd and John Blackwell combine for 57 points to edge Washington 85 to 82.

Blackwell poured in 34 points, breaking a tournament scoring record. Their hot three-point shooting has only ramped up since beating Illinois. These teams are evenly matched, so Illinois can't afford to peek ahead at a possible Michigan match-up. The Badgers present plenty of danger right now, especially if the Alini don't tighten up on the perimeter.

More episodes

More from College Basketball News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now!

View all episodes →