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First Look at Illinois Basketball's Game 23 Opponent: Northwestern Wildcats

The Illini return home to face Northwestern in a rivalry matchup that carries sneaky trap-game vibes
Pranav Hegde|
Jan 29, 2026; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats forward Nick Martinelli (2) high fives fans after scoring against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
Jan 29, 2026; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats forward Nick Martinelli (2) high fives fans after scoring against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images | David Banks-Imagn Images

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Illinois Fighting IlliniNorthwestern Wildcats

Illinois (19-3, 10-1 Big Ten) is riding high. A pivotal road win at Nebraska extended the Illini’s winning streak and was a reminder of just how sharp this group looks when it’s locked in. With momentum building and a massive weekend showdown against Michigan State looming, the timing of this matchup matters just as much as the opponent.

That’s where Northwestern (10-12, 2-9 Big Ten) comes in.

This isn’t a clean-slate First Look. Illinois has already seen the Wildcats once this season, but a lot has shifted around that earlier meeting – not in personnel, but in rhythm and role definition. Northwestern has settled into its current state since then, tightening its rotation and leaning harder on what it does best: slowing games down, shrinking possessions and punishing lapses in focus.

With one eye on the standings and another on the schedule ahead, Illinois will need to handle business on Wednesday (8 p.m. CT, BTN). Because Northwestern won’t care what’s coming next – only what’s in front of it.

(For the baseline version of this First Look, find it here.)

Rotation updates

Northwestern hasn’t had any noteworthy injuries since the Illinois game, but its rotation suggests a team still searching for consistent offensive answers. The pieces are largely the same. The production has not been.

The most notable change is Jayden Reid’s drop-off. After exploding for 28 points against Illinois, Reid has scored 28 total points across the five games since. The minutes and opportunity remain, but the efficiency and impact have faded, diminishing what had been a viable secondary scoring option.

That has placed even more pressure on Nick Martinelli, who continues to be Northwestern’s most reliable offensive weapon. Martinelli can score and draw fouls, but the Wildcats have struggled to generate offense when the ball isn’t in his hands. Possessions often stall, leading to late-clock shots and limited margin for error.

Coach Chris Collins has shuffled roles trying to find help elsewhere, but consistency has been elusive. Arrinten Page provides rebounding and interior defense, yet the supporting cast has not delivered sustained scoring. Northwestern can still defend well enough to keep things close, but without a second dependable option, the offense feels fragile – and every drought becomes magnified.

Northwestern's run since it last faced Illinois

Only five games have passed since the last Land of Lincoln battle, but Northwestern has shown signs of life in the weeks since. The Wildcats opened that stretch with a tough loss to Nebraska, then responded by earning their first Big Ten win of the season at USC – a needed confidence boost. A narrow loss at UCLA followed before Northwestern returned home and took care of business against Penn State.

Most recently, the Wildcats lost to Washington, 76-62, in a game that underscored both their progress and their limitations. Only two starters scored in that loss, highlighting the ongoing offensive imbalance that has plagued Northwestern all season.

The results suggest a team that has stabilized, but not one that has fully solved its issues. Northwestern has been more competitive and more organized, yet the margin remains thin. Although the Wildcats have turned a corner from where they were earlier in the season, the flaws are still very real – and they continue to show up when the competition level rises.

Illinois vs. Northwestern matchup

It feels strange to label a rivalry game – especially an Illinois game against Northwestern, which has tripped up the Illini from time to time – as a trap, but this one fits the description. Sandwiched between two ranked road matchups against the Big Ten’s elite, Illinois has little margin for a mental lapse. The Illini must show up, lock in and handle business.

Rivalry games have a way of warping logic. If the underdog can hang around, tension builds, the rim tightens and suddenly the game takes on a life of its own – sometimes ending in a result no one saw coming. Northwestern would love nothing more than to turn this into a grind and test Illinois’ patience for 40 minutes.

Still, this Illinois team feels different. The Illini have won 11 straight, shown maturity in tight spots and avoided the kind of home letdown that has haunted past versions of the program. This group has consistently handled the moment against teams it should beat.

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Pranav Hegde
PRANAV HEGDE

Primarily covers Illinois football, basketball and golf, with an emphasis on news, analysis and features. Hegde, an electrical engineering student at Illinois with an affinity for sports writing, has been writing for On SI since April 2025. He can be followed and reached on Instagram @pranavhegde__.

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