Preview: Illinois Faces Northwestern in Big Ten Clash

EVANSTON, Ill. (Interstat) — A surging Illinois squad aims to extend its winning streak against a struggling but dangerous Northwestern team when the intrastate rivals meet Wednesday night at Welsh-Ryan Arena.

The Fighting Illini (13-3, 3-0 Big Ten) have won five straight, including a 75-69 road victory at Iowa on Sunday. Northwestern (8-8, 0-3), meanwhile, has lost three consecutive conference games, each by single digits, most recently a 77-75 overtime heartbreaker at Rutgers.

Illinois is powered by the versatile play of guard Keaton Wagler, who is averaging 17 points and 4.8 assists over his last five games. He posted 19 points, five rebounds and four assists in the win at Iowa. He is complemented by backcourt mate Kylan Boswell (17 points vs. Iowa) and forward David Mirkovic, who notched a 12-rebound, 5-assist double-double against the Hawkeyes.

The Wildcats will lean heavily on forward Nick Martinelli, who has been on a scoring tear despite the losses. He is averaging 29.8 points over his last four contests, including a 34-point effort in 43 minutes at Rutgers. His offensive burden is immense, and containing him will be a primary focus for the Illini defense.

The matchup pits Illinois’s balanced attack and momentum against a Northwestern team desperate for a signature conference win at home. The Illini have dominated recent non-conference play but suffered one of their three losses this season to Nebraska in Big Ten play in December. Northwestern’s conference setbacks have all been narrow, suggesting they are capable of an upset if Martinelli gets sufficient support.

Wednesday’s contest is the first of two regular-season meetings between the schools, with the rematch scheduled for Feb. 4 in Champaign.

Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. CST.