How to Watch Illinois Women's Basketball vs. Wisconsin: TV, Tip-Off Time, More

Aiming for another 20-win season and NCAA Tournament berth, the Illini can take a step toward both by turning back the Badgers on Wednesday
Illinois guard Destiny Jackson (2) blows past a Michigan defender in the Illini's 85-69 loss to the Wolverines on Thursday at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Illinois guard Destiny Jackson (2) blows past a Michigan defender in the Illini's 85-69 loss to the Wolverines on Thursday at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan. | University of Illinois

The Illinois women's basketball team continues its home stand Wednesday against Wisconsin (6 p.m. CT, Big Ten+) with the goal of steadying the ship, as back-to-back losses – and four defeats in five games – have tested the Illini's momentum. It's a pivotal point on this young group's development arc.

With the margins in the Big Ten being as tight as ever, this game carries extra weight – not just in the standings, but also in the bigger picture. Illinois, aiming for another 20-win season and NCAA Tournament berth, must protect home court against a familiar conference foe in Wisconsin. The Illini will look to reset, play with urgency and get back to the brand of basketball that put them in position for March relevance in the first place.

Here’s more information on Illinois' home matchup against Wisconsin:

How to watch Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Wisconsin Badgers:

  • Who: Illinois Fighting Illini (16-8, 6-7 Big Ten) vs. Wisconsin Badgers (13-11, 5-8 Big Ten)
  • What: Big Ten conference matchup
  • When: Wednesday, Feb. 11 at 6 p.m. CT
  • Where: State Farm Center, Champaign, Illinois
  • Promotion: International & K-Pop Game
  • TV/streaming: B1G+ (Annual pass: $89.99; Monthly pass: $12.99/month. Use code "BESTDEAL50" for 50 percent off an annual pass. To purchase a subscription, click here. For more information, visit bigtenplus.com.)
  • Radio/audio: Busey Bank Illini Sports Network (Champaign: WDWS 93.9 FM or 1400 AM); Fighting Illini ProductionsVarsity Network App
  • Last week: Illinois most recently dropped a game out west to Oregon last Wednesday and fell to USC at home Sunday. Wisconsin also went 0-2 last week, losing to both Indiana and Washington at home by three and five points, respectively.
  • Series history: With a win, Illinois can know the all-time series at 43-43. The Badgers won the teams' previous meeting, 74-51, in Madison a season ago.

What to know about Wisconsin

The Badgers enter Champaign as a middle-of-the-pack Big Ten program still searching for sustained success. Wisconsin hasn’t appeared in the NCAA Tournament since 2010, and as the season rolls deeper into conference play, that drought appears unlikely to end this season. Wisconsin opened the year with promise, jumping out to an 11-4 non-conference record, but Big Ten play has exposed some flaws. The Badgers have dropped seven of their past nine games, struggling to find consistency against the league’s physicality and depth.

Still, this isn’t a team that can be taken lightly. Wisconsin brings one of the more entertaining offenses in the conference, leaning heavily on pace, spacing and perimeter shooting. The Badgers lead the Big Ten in three-pointers made per game (9.0), and when shots are falling, they’re capable of putting real pressure on opposing defenses. That attack is spearheaded by senior guard Destiny Howell, who averages 15.2 points per game, scoring at all three levels – but becoming especially dangerous when she gets into rhythm from deep.

For Illinois, the game plan is clear: limit clean looks from the perimeter and make Howell work for every touch. If the Illini can contest shots, control tempo and avoid letting Wisconsin turn the game into a three-point shootout, they will be in strong position to take care of business at home.


Published
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__.