Illinois Faces Washington In High-Stakes Big Ten Showdown

Champaign, Illinois is buzzing with anticipation as the No. 9 Illinois Fighting Illini return to their home court, aiming for their tenth consecutive victory in what’s shaping up to be a pivotal Big Ten matchup against the Washington Huskies. The Illini, riding high with a 17-3 overall record and an 8-1 mark in conference play, have been red-hot since mid-December, stringing together nine straight wins and climbing to No. 6 in ESPN’s latest Power Rankings. Their recent 88-82 triumph over Purdue not only solidified their status as a legitimate Final Four contender but also showcased the offensive firepower and depth that have made them one of the most formidable teams in college basketball this season.

But as head coach Brad Underwood cautioned, there’s no room for complacency. “Washington’s a really good basketball team,” Underwood said. “Sure, was Purdue a high level game? It was a high level college basketball game with tremendous emotion, but the reality is that you have to get back up and get ready again. That’s the reality of this league and the beauty of this league: you can’t slip or you get beat.”

Illinois will need every ounce of focus as they take on a Washington squad that, while unranked at 11-9 (3-6 Big Ten), presents unique challenges—especially in the paint and on the boards. The Huskies are fresh off a 72-57 win over Oregon and boast a frontcourt tandem that has earned national attention. Freshman forward Hannes Steinbach, a 6-foot-11 German standout, is averaging 17.5 points and 11.2 rebounds per game, including a remarkable 4.2 offensive boards—good for seventh-best in the nation. Steinbach’s efficiency around the rim and knack for second-chance opportunities make him a matchup nightmare for any opponent. “(The Huskies) have one of the best bigs in the country,” Underwood noted. “Steinbach’s a problem.”

Steinbach isn’t carrying the load alone. Graduate center Franck Kepnang supplements Washington’s rebounding prowess, pulling down seven rebounds per game, with nearly three coming on the offensive end. Together, they form one of the most physical and relentless rebounding duos in college hoops. Underwood emphasized the need for his frontcourt to match that intensity: “Very elite offensive rebounding team. Steinbach is elite. With Franck in the game–he’s second I think–they’re a team that can really really hurt you on that with physicality.”

For Illinois, the responsibility of keeping Washington off the glass will fall heavily on junior centers Tomislav and Zvonimir Ivišić. Tomislav, in particular, demonstrated his rebounding chops in the win at Purdue, especially in the first half, and both brothers will need to bring similar energy and discipline to keep the Huskies’ bigs in check. “They’re very very good on the offensive glass,” Underwood reiterated. “We’ve got to make sure we do kind of the same mentality we had in the Purdue game. Trying to keep their two bigs off the glass and out of opportunities.”

Beyond the battle in the paint, Thursday night’s game offers a tantalizing glimpse at two of the nation’s most exciting freshmen—both projected NBA lottery picks. Illinois guard Keaton Wagler has been nothing short of spectacular, averaging 17.5 points per game while shooting a blistering 43.5% from three-point range. Wagler is coming off a historic 46-point explosion at Purdue, a performance that left fans and analysts alike in awe. Over his last 12 games, he’s averaged 20.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 5.3 assists, shooting 50% from the field and 47% from deep. No wonder he’s pulled ahead in the race for Big Ten Freshman of the Year, having also clinched Big Ten Player of the Week honors.

On the other side, Steinbach has matched Wagler’s scoring average and brings a different style of dominance, using his size and touch to control the interior. While he’s not yet a consistent threat from beyond the arc, his efficiency inside the paint and on the boards makes him a focal point of Washington’s offense. Both Wagler and Steinbach have collected multiple Big Ten Freshman of the Week awards, and their head-to-head clash is must-see TV for anyone following the future of the NBA.

Washington’s backcourt, though missing a key piece, still poses a threat. Senior guard Desmond Claude, who torched Illinois for 31 points last season while at USC, is sidelined as he recovers from lingering and new injuries. His absence has forced others to step up. Sophomore guard Zoom Diallo has made significant strides, improving his three-point shooting from 18.2% last season to 32.6% this year. “Diallo is a much improved player from one year to the next,” Underwood said. “He’s having quite a nice year.”

Another name to watch is sixth-year forward Jacob Ognacevic, who recently returned from a preseason injury. In just four games, Ognacevic has shot 7-for-12 from three-point range and demonstrated his rebounding abilities, with six of his seven boards coming on the offensive end. Last year, he was the Atlantic Sun Player of the Year at Lipscomb, averaging 20 points and eight rebounds per game. While his sample size at Washington is small, his reputation as a shooter and rebounder precedes him and could provide a spark off the bench.

Illinois, for all its momentum, hasn’t been without adversity. Senior guard Kylan Boswell remains out with a fractured right hand, having undergone surgery last week. Redshirt junior guard Ty Rodgers is still recovering from knee surgery and a recent groin injury, though he returned to practice this week. “He participated in practice (Tuesday) for the first time coming back from his groin,” Underwood said. “Did some activity. We’re still kind of in a wait and see pattern with Ty’s injury, but it was very nice to see him back on the court. He does add a lot.” Meanwhile, redshirt freshman forward Jason Jakstys is sidelined indefinitely after revealing a blood clot in his left shoulder, a situation being closely monitored by the team’s medical staff.

Contextually, this season’s Illinois squad has shown more staying power than last year’s, when a promising start fizzled down the stretch. The current Illini have the highest offensive rating in KenPom’s history (dating back to 1996-97), combine elite perimeter shooting with unmatched size, and are among the nation’s best in offensive rebounding and rim protection. Despite the absence of key players and a looming gauntlet of high-profile games—including a showdown at Nebraska on February 1—the Illini look poised to make a deep postseason run.

Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. Central Time, with the action broadcast on FS1. Fans eager to witness this high-stakes matchup can catch the game online for free via DirecTV and Fubo TV trials, or take advantage of a Sling TV discount for new users. With two future NBA stars squaring off, a battle of the boards looming, and both teams hungry to make a statement, Thursday night in Champaign promises drama, intensity, and maybe even a glimpse at March’s biggest storylines.

As the Illini chase win number ten in a row and the Huskies look to play spoiler, all eyes will be on the State Farm Center, where college basketball’s present and future collide in spectacular fashion.