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Illinois (18-3) vs Nebraska (20-1)
- When: Feb 1 2026, 4:00 PM
- Where: Pinnacle Bank Arena, Lincoln, NE, USA
- Where to watch: Fox Sports 1
(9) Illinois vs (5) Nebraska Preview & Prediction
Spread: Nebraska -2.0
Moneyline: Nebraska (-135)
Total: 151.0
Illinois Fighting Illini
Illinois heads to Lincoln with a long memory and a lot of momentum. The Illini are 18-3 overall and 9-1 in Big Ten play, and everything about their current run traces back to the painful December loss to Nebraska. That night, Illinois watched a last-second three end it, but the real damage came earlier when Pryce Sandfort tore them apart in the first half.
Since then, Illinois has been unstoppable. Ten straight wins have followed, fueled by a sharper mindset and an offense operating at an elite level. The Illini lead the nation in offensive efficiency, averaging 130.3 points per 100 possessions, and they do it without relying on one player to save them.
Freshman guard Keaton Wagler has become the headline act, averaging 17.7 points and 4.2 assists while earning conference and national player of the week honors. David Mirkovic continues to control the paint with 12.5 points and a team-high 8.2 rebounds, while Illinois routinely places five players in double figures. That balance makes them dangerous in tight games, especially late.
Illinois has also embraced tougher defense and better communication since that loss. This group plays with purpose now, and revenge adds fuel in a matchup that could decide first place.
Illinois Player Prop Pick: Keaton Wagler over 22.5 points – He leads the offense and thrives in high-profile games.
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Nebraska enters with its own confidence and a near-perfect season to this point. The Cornhuskers are 20-1 overall and 9-1 in conference play, sitting at the highest national ranking in program history. Even their lone loss came with positives, as they pushed Michigan wire to wire despite missing key scorers.
Pryce Sandfort remains the tone-setter. He averaged 32 points in the first meeting with Illinois and scored 26 before halftime, creating a lead that set the stage for the dramatic finish. Rienk Mast adds 14.6 points and 6.0 rebounds and is expected to return, which stabilizes Nebraska’s frontcourt.
What separates Nebraska is resilience. They have shown they can compete regardless of who is available, and playing at home only sharpens that edge. With Mast back and Illinois shorthanded in the backcourt, Nebraska’s depth and composure matter.
Nebraska Player Prop Pick: Pryce Sandfort over 19.5 points – His scoring aggression against Illinois is proven and repeatable.
Prediction
This matchup should be tight from start to finish. Illinois brings the hotter streak and the league’s most efficient offense, while Nebraska has home court and confidence from the earlier win. Expect swings, runs, and late-game drama again.
Final Score: Nebraska 78, Illinois 75
Lean: Nebraska -2.0
Total: Over 151.0
- NCAAB Odds source: MyBookie Sportsbook
