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Illinois Upsets Nebraska, Extends Winning Streak to 11

2/2/2026

36 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Illinois Triumphs Again

No. 9 Illinois defeated No. 5 Nebraska 78-69 in Lincoln, extending Illinois' 11-game winning streak and tying them for Big Ten leadership with Michigan.
Keaton Wagler led all scorers with 28 points, including 23 in the second half.
Nebraska led 39-33 at halftime thanks to strong three-point shooting, but faltered in the paint and were outrebounded 40-27.
Braden Frager returned from injury to score 20 points for Nebraska.

Summary

Nebraska Hosts Illinois

No. 5 Nebraska Cornhuskers host No. 9 Illinois Fighting Illini on February 1, 2026, at Pinnacle Bank Arena at 3:10 PM CT.
Nebraska is 9-1 in the Big Ten after its first loss to Michigan.
Illinois is 9-1 in conference play with a ten-game winning streak.
Pryce Sandfort of the Nebraska Cornhuskers averages 17.4 points, and Keaton Wagler of the Illinois Fighting Illini averages 17.7.

History

Historical Context

The Big Ten Conference emerged as a dominant force in college basketball during the late 1970s, highlighted by Michigan State's 1979 championship victory. Teams like Indiana and Ohio State contributed to this competitive landscape. Today's matchup between Illinois and Nebraska continues this legacy, showcasing the ongoing rivalry and influence of the Big Ten on recruitment and fan engagement in college basketball.

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Illinois Triumphs Again

No. 9 Illinois defeated No. 5 Nebraska 78-69 in Lincoln, extending Illinois' 11-game winning streak and tying them for Big Ten leadership with Michigan.
Keaton Wagler led all scorers with 28 points, including 23 in the second half.
Nebraska led 39-33 at halftime thanks to strong three-point shooting, but faltered in the paint and were outrebounded 40-27.
Braden Frager returned from injury to score 20 points for Nebraska.

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