The Three Best Games of Illinois Basketball's 2025-26 Regular Season

No. 3: Illinois blasts Missouri 91-48 in St. Louis

Heading into this one, Missouri had a 10-2 record, hampered somewhat by a poor defense but boasting a notably potent offensive attack. Given Illinois’ then-mediocre defense, the expectation was a shootout.

Instead, it was a massacre, as the Illini got everything they wanted offensively – and then some – while putting the handcuffs on the entire Tigers roster, which shot just 28.6 percent from the field. 

Illinois’ defensive performance showed the country what it was capable of when dialed in on both ends. And despite the Illini’s inability to replicate that (or even near it) on a game-to-game basis, that night set a new precedent. Also, it didn’t hurt that it came against Illinois’ border-state rival, which it has now beaten in four of their past five matchups.

No. 2: The Illini get revenge with 78-69 win at Nebraska

The initial matchup with Nebraska was a nightmare: a horrid defensive showing for Illinois – one that culminated in a game-winning three-pointer for the Cornhuskers. Even more painfully, it came in Champaign. 

Fortunately, the Illini had an opportunity to catch themselves after the stumble. Illinois went into Lincoln and staved off a late first-half run from the home squad by way of a suffocating defensive performance after the break.

Brad Underwood’s club held Nebraska to just 30 points in the final 20 minutes while freshman guard Keaton Wagler put the team on his back on the other end, scoring 23 of his game-high 28 points in the second frame.

No. 1: Wagler’s 46 points push Illinois over Purdue at Mackey Arena

Most-ever points scored by an opponent at Mackey Arena? Check. A top-five win on the road? Check. The Illini’s first win in West Lafayette, Indiana, in more than six years? Check. The list of goodies went on.

This wasn’t just the best game of Illinois’ season (thus far) but also one of the best in program history. Wagler stole the show, scoring his 46 points in a variety of ways while tacking on a handful of key assists down the stretch.

Behind Wagler's offensive masterpiece, the Illini survived a 56.9 percent shooting afternoon by the Boilermakers, managing to escape with one of their lone close-game wins of the season.