It was the Illini's ninth straight win at State Farm Center against the Wildcats, who haven't swept a season series since 1966.

No. 17 Illinois plays a rematch against Northwestern on Sunday in Champaign without sophomore center Tomislav Ivišić.

The Illini crashed the boards and hit the floor to scrap their way to an 83-74 win over the Wildcats in Champaign

Northwestern hasn't won at Illinois since January 2013 -- two months before Chris Collins became the Wildcats' head coach. Collins has led Northwestern to the first three NCAA Tournament appearances

The Northwestern Wildcats were fueled by 54 points in the second half to knock off the Indiana Hoosier men's basketball team Wednesday night at Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston, Illinois 79-70.

Illinois men's basketball is looking to avoid a three game losing streak as they welcome Northwestern to the State Farm Center Sunday Jan. 26.

Illinois Fighting Illini (13-5, 3-4 Big Ten) at Northwestern Wildcats (7-10, 0-6 Big Ten) Evanston, Illinois; Thursday, 8 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Illinois faces Northwestern after Kendall Bostic scored 20 points in Illinois' 86-68 loss to the Michigan State Spartans.

When No. 17 Illinois men’s basketball coach Brad Underwood considered how “bullish” he is on his team Sunday at State Farm Center, he didn’t play down his expectations.

BOTTOM LINE: Illinois plays Northwestern after Kendall Bostic scored 20 points in Illinois' 86-68 loss to the Michigan State Spartans. The Wildcats are 5-7 on their home court. Northwestern is 4-10 against opponents with a winning record.

Illinois Fighting Illini (13-5, 3-4 Big Ten) at Northwestern Wildcats (7-10, 0-6 Big Ten) Evanston, Illinois; Thursday, 8 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Illinois faces Northwestern after Kendall Bostic ...

Almost two months after falling in their Big Ten opener at Northwestern (12-8, 3-6), No. 17 Illinois (14-6, 6-4) got back at their in-state rivals, beating the Wildcats 83-74 in Champaign on Sunday. It was a one-sided affair from the opening tip,

The Hoosiers' fifth consecutive defeat at the hands of the Wildcats came Wednesday, when Northwestern poured in nine 3-pointers in the second half and shot 63% after halftime to erase an IU lead and win 79-70 at Welsh-Ryan Arena.