Projecting Illinois' Final 11 Games: Can the Illini Win Out?

Illinois, currently winners of its last nine, is rolling. Can the Illini finish out their slate without another loss?

Illinois forward David Mirkovic (0) squares up against Purdue guard Braden Smith (3) in the Illini's 88-82 win over the Boilermakers on Saturday at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Indiana. | University of Illinois

No. 9 Illinois (17-3, 8-1 Big Ten) has rattled off nine straight wins and enters its final third of the season appearing to be every bit a Big Ten title contender and Final Four hopeful. Here’s our prediction for the rest of the Illini slate, starting with Thursday’s tangle with Washington (8 p.m. CT, FS1).

Predicting the rest of Illinois' slate: Can the Illini win out?

Jan 17, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts during the second half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images | Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Jan. 29: Washington
Champaign, Illinois

Life has not been kind to the Huskies over the past few weeks. Over a seven-game stretch, they will have seen the Big Ten’s top five teams, including Illinois as the cherry on top. Washington has already lost to Purdue, Michigan, Michigan State and Nebraska. Expect the Illini to put another dent in the Huskies’ record – but not without a fight from Danny Sprinkle’s gritty club.

Prediction: Illinois win (18-3)

Jan 17, 2026; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Fred Hoiberg gestures to his team against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images | David Banks-Imagn Images

Feb. 1: Nebraska
Lincoln, Nebraska

Sweet, sweet revenge. That’s what the Illini are hoping to get on the first day of February in Lincoln. Fred Hoiberg’s group may or may not still have its undefeated record intact (Nebraska is at Michigan on Tuesday), but the Cornhuskers have already proven they’re legit. Still, that mid-December game got away from the Illini. They haven’t lost since, and they seem poised to knot up the season series with this one.

Prediction: Illinois win (19-3)

Feb. 4: Northwestern
Champaign, Illinois

Nick Martinelli is a load. Jayden Reid made himself known with a loud 28-point showing in the January meeting. Still, the Illini will be at home and simply have far too much firepower. 

Prediction: Illinois win (20-3)

Jan 24, 2026; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo reacts during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images | Dale Young-Imagn Images

Feb. 7: Michigan State
East Lansing, Michigan

All good things must come to an end. In this case, we envision Tom Izzo putting a halt to the Illini's lengthy winning streak. The Spartans' defense is the best in the country, and if anyone can find a way to shut down Illinois’ offense – which, mind you, relies heavily on offensive rebounding – it’s a defensive-oriented, rebounding-focused Izzo club.

Prediction: Illinois loss (20-4)

Feb. 10: Wisconsin
Champaign, Illinois

The Badgers are quite the baffling squad. Beat Michigan in Ann Arbor, then rattle off three more wins before falling at home to USC. Wisconsin is dangerous, but the combination of home-court advantage and much-improved Illini defense should be enough to stave off the Badgers. 

Prediction: Illinois win (21-4)

Indiana head coach Darian Devries reacts to a play against Michigan State during the first half at Breslin Center in East Lansing on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Feb. 15: Indiana
Champaign, Illinois

Lamar Wilkerson and Tucker DeVries can shoot the cover off the ball. Set aside Nebraska’s Pryce Sandfort, and Indiana may have the top two flamethrowers in the league. Shooting like that – and its combustible, unpredictable potential – means one thing: upset alert. Then again, Indiana is horrid on the glass – a nightmare recipe against the Illini.

Prediction: Illinois win (22-4)

Feb. 18: USC
Los Angeles

Illinois’ first L.A. road trip in this new Big Ten era will start off with a meeting at USC – yet another enigmatic club. Ace freshman guard Alijah Arenas is back in the fold, and Chad Baker-Mazara is very experienced (happy 26th birthday, Chad!) and quite talented. But Illinois, which comes at you with waves of talent, should hold off the Trojans.

Prediction: Illinois win (23-4)

UCLA Bruins head coach Mick Cronin reacts in the first half at Value City Arena on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026 in Columbus, Ohio. | Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Feb. 21: UCLA
Los Angeles

At its best, UCLA’s defense is suffocating. This year, it has rarely been in peak condition – but it has been toughest in L.A., where the Bruins remain undefeated on their home floor. Expect a tight battle, but we’ll give this one (begrudgingly) to Mick Cronin.

Prediction: Illinois loss (23-5)

Feb. 27: Michigan
Champaign, Illinois

Get your popcorn ready, Champaign. Morez Johnson Jr. is back in town and he’s bringing his (new) boys – the mighty Michigan Wolverines – with him. Mostly position-less and featuring tremendous size, the Wolverines will represent a unique challenge, stress-testing all of the Illini’s greatest strengths. Still, between Michigan’s recent vulnerability and Illinois’ riled-up home crowd, the stars are aligning for an Illini win.

Prediction: Illinois win (24-5)

Oregon coach Dana Altman calls for a player on the bench during the second against Michigan at Matthew Knight Arena Jan. 17, 2026. | Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Mar. 3: Oregon
Champaign, Illinois

The Ducks were supposed to be good this year – and perhaps even great. But that hasn't been anything close to the case. Oregon is in the midst of a nightmare, one-win Big Ten season. The Illini should have no problem in this one.

Prediction: Illinois win (25-5)

Mar. 8: Maryland
College Park, Maryland

College Park, Maryland: where dreams – especially Illini dreams – go to die. Illinois has never found its footing at the Xfinity Center (they are just 2-7 in the Terrapins' building). But this year’s Terps are struggling just to compete. Expect the Illini to sweep the season series with Maryland.

Prediction: Illinois win (26-5)