The Indiana Hoosiers head to Champaign on Sunday for a critical late-season Big Ten matchup against the Illinois Fighting Illini. Indiana enters the game at 17-8 overall and riding a two-game winning streak, including an impressive home win over Oregon earlier this week.
Illinois, meanwhile, is 20-5 on the season but looking to stop the bleeding after back-to-back overtime losses. With the Big Ten race tightening and March approaching, this one carries significant weight for both sides.
Indiana building momentum
The Hoosiers are 8-6 in Big Ten play, currently tied for eighth in the conference standings. Offensively, Indiana has been one of the more explosive teams in the league, averaging 81.5 points per game while knocking down nearly 10.5 three-pointers per contest.
During their current two-game winning streak, the Hoosiers have elevated that production, scoring 85 points per game and playing with noticeably improved pace and confidence.
The schedule does not ease up. Indiana travels to Purdue on Friday in one of the sport’s fiercest rivalries. After that, the Hoosiers return home for three straight games against Northwestern, Michigan State, and Minnesota before closing the regular season at Ohio State.
Illinois looking to rebound
Illinois dropped consecutive overtime games, first at Michigan State and then at home against Nebraska. Those results moved the Illini to 11-3 in conference play, tied with Purdue and Nebraska and just ahead of Wisconsin and Michigan State. All are chasing Michigan at the top of the standings.
The Illini’s upcoming stretch includes a West Coast swing at USC and UCLA. They then return home to host Michigan and Oregon before finishing the regular season March 8 at Maryland.
Despite the recent losses, Illinois remains one of the most physically imposing teams in the Big Ten, anchored by size and interior presence.
Indiana vs. Illinois: When and where
- Date: Sunday, February 15, 2026
- Time: 12:00 p.m. CT
- Location: State Farm Center
Indiana vs. Illinois: Where to watch or stream
- TV: CBS
- Streaming: FuboTV
Indiana vs. Illinois: Betting odds
- Spread: Illinois -10.5, Indiana +10.5
- Moneyline: Illinois -529, Indiana +480
- Total: 150.5
Indiana vs. Illinois: Series history
- All-time series: Indiana leads 96-93
- Last meeting: Illinois defeated Indiana 94-69 on January 14, 2025
Projected starting lineups
Indiana Hoosiers
- #3 Lamar Wilkerson — 21.2 PPG
- #12 Tucker DeVries — 13.8 PPG
- #7 Nick Dorn — 9.2 PPG
- #4 Sam Alexis — 8.0 PPG
- #5 Conor Enright — 4.9 PPG
Illinois Fighting Illini
- #23 Keaton Wagler — 18.5 PPG
- #2 Andrej Stojakovic — 13.7 PPG
- #00 David Mirkovic — 12.6 PPG
- #13 Tomislav Ivisic — 10.4 PPG
- #44 Zvonimir Ivisic — 7.2 PPG
Big Ten showdown
This matchup presents a classic contrast. Indiana thrives on perimeter shooting and offensive rhythm. Illinois counters with length, size, and interior physicality.
If the Hoosiers control tempo and knock down shots early, they can apply real pressure. If the Illini dominate the paint and second-chance opportunities, Champaign could quickly become a difficult environment for the visitors.
With the regular season winding down, every possession begins to feel magnified. Expect intensity, urgency, and a postseason atmosphere inside State Farm Center on Sunday.