Chambana Sun

The Illinois Fighting Illini basketball team, currently ranked 17th in the nation, is set to face Northwestern Wildcats in a rematch on Sunday at the State Farm Center in Champaign. The game, scheduled for 2 p.m. CT, has already sold out. The Illini aim to break their two-game losing streak against Big Ten opponents and maintain their eight-game home winning streak against Northwestern.

Illinois has faced challenges recently, having lost consecutive Big Ten games for the first time since February 2023. Their last encounter with Northwestern ended in a narrow overtime defeat with a score of 70-66. Despite these setbacks, Illinois remains strong at home with an 8-3 record this season.

Coach Brad Underwood's team features standout freshman guard Kasparas Jakucionis, who was named Midseason All-America third team by The Sporting News. Jakucionis tied the Illinois freshman record with his eighth 20-point game of the season during their recent match against Maryland.

The Illini have shown impressive performances throughout the season, including a historic victory over Oregon and wins against top-ranked teams like Arkansas and Wisconsin. They rank second nationally in rebounding and hold strong defensive metrics according to KenPom ratings.

Illinois leads several statistical categories within the Big Ten and continues to demonstrate resilience despite significant roster changes from last season. Newcomers have contributed significantly to scoring, accounting for nearly 92% of total points this season.

Sunday's game will be broadcasted on BTN with live streaming available through FoxSports.com/live/btn. Fans can also tune into radio coverage via Busey Bank Illini Sports Network or SiriusXM channels.