#11 Illinois Closes Regular Season Sunday at Maryland

#11 ILLINOIS (23-7, 14-5 B1G) at Maryland (11-19, 4-15 B1G)
Date | Time	Sunday, March 8, 2026 | 2 p.m. CT (3 p.m. ET)
Location	College Park, Md. | XFINITY Center
Buy Tickets	UMTerps.com
TV	FOX (Brandon Gaudin & Steve Smith)
Live Stream	FoxSports.com/live
Radio	Busey Bank Illini Sports Network | Varsity Network App | SiriusXM 85, SXM APP
Live Stats	Statbroadcast
Printable Notes	Illinois | Maryland
Pregame Press Conference	Coach Underwood (March 7)
2025-26 Stats	Illinois | Maryland
Record Book	Illinois | Big Ten | NCAA
Shop	Online Store | Auctions
Social Media	@IlliniMBB | #Illini | @IlliniMBB | Facebook | YouTube

Head Coach Brad Underwood

Career Record: 297-135 (.688), 13th year
At Illinois: 188-108 (.635), 9th year
Big Ten: 106-71 (.599)

Series History vs. Maryland

All-Time Record / Streak: Maryland leads 17-9 / Illinois W-1
Last Meeting: #11 Illinois 89, Maryland 70 (1/21/2026 in Champaign)
Record in College Park / Streak: Maryland leads 7-2 / Illinois W-1
Last Meeting in College Park: #14 Illinois 85, Maryland 80 (2/17/2024)
Underwood vs. Maryland: 4-9 at Illinois / 4-10 all-time

OPENING TIPS

• No. 11 Illinois closes out the regular season on Sunday afternoon with a road matchup at Maryland. 
• Illinois has a seed range of 3-5 for the Big Ten Tournament, set for March 10-15 at the United Center in Chicago. The Illini have locked up a double-bye and can secure a triple-bye into Friday's quarterfinals with a win over the Terrapins on Sunday, or a Wisconsin loss at Purdue on Saturday. 
• Illinois has six Quad 1A wins, tied for third-most in the NCAA behind Duke (9) and Michigan (7). Illinois has eight total wins in Quad 1, tied for sixth nationally.
• Illinois is looking for its 15th conference win, which would tie Brad Underwood's 2022 Big Ten title squad for the second-most league wins in school history. His 2021 team won a school-record 16 B1G games. 
• Illinois is also trying for its eighth road win in Big Ten play, which would tie the program record set in 2021.
• Illinois is aiming for its 24th overall win, which would be its most during the regular season in the last 20 years. The 2006 Illini squad, led by seniors Dee Brown and James Augustine, won 25 regular season games.
• Illinois has secured its seventh straight 20-win regular season. Illinois, Gonzaga, Houston and San Diego State are the only four teams to win at least 20 regular season games every year since 2019-20.
• Illinois leads the nation in adjusted offensive efficiency (131.8), owning what currently stands as the highest offensive rating in the history of the kenpom era (since 1996-97). 
• Illinois is the winningest team in Big Ten play over the last seven seasons, accounting for 95 wins since 2019-20.
• Illinois has won at least 14 Big Ten games four times in the last six seasons. 
• Head coach Brad Underwood accounts for five of the nine-winningest Big Ten seasons in program history with a school-record 16 wins in 2021, 15 in 2022, 14 in 2024 and 2026, and 13 in 2020.

WAGLER'S WORLD

• Illini star Keaton Wagler's rapid ascent during his freshman season has been remarkable for an unheralded recruit. Now contending for Big Ten Player of the Year and All-America honors, the Shawnee, Kansas native was ranked 150th by 247Sports and 179th by Rivals in the Class of 2025, and he had just two high-major offers before committing to the Fighting Illini.
• Wagler is ranked No. 5 in the kenpom national player of the year standings, second in the B1G to Michigan's Yaxel Lendenborg (3) and ahead of Michigan State's Jeremy Fears (6) and Purdue's Braden Smith (7).  
• Among players with at least 24% possessions used, Wagler ranks second nationally in offensive rating at 133.6.
• In what is being recognized as one of the most talented freshman classes in college basketball history, Wagler is one of only two first-year players in the nation averaging at least 18.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists on the season, along with Duke's Cameron Boozer.
• Since moving to the point guard position at the start of December, Wagler is averaging 19.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists over the last 22 games on 45.6% shooting, 43.8% from three, and 83.2% at the foul line.
• Wagler has scored in double figures in each of the last 22 games, and team-leading 27 times on the season.
• Wagler ranks fifth in the Big Ten in scoring during conference play, averaging 20.3 points.
• Wagler ranks fifth in the Big Ten in 3-point field goal shooting at 42.0% (73-174). 
• Wagler has nine 20+-point games this season, one away from matching the Illini freshman record of 10 set last year by Kasparas Jakucionis, who is now a rookie with the Miami Heat.
• Wagler has netted 543 points on the season, shattering the Illinois freshman season scoring record. He broke the previous mark of 494 points, set by Cory Bradford in 1998-99 and equaled by Kasparas Jakucionis last year. 
• Wagler's overall scoring average of 18.1 points per game is also on pace to break the Illini freshman scoring  average record of 15.9 ppg, set by Kiwane Garris in 1993-94.
• After scoring 34 on Feb. 10 vs. Wisconsin to go with his 46 points at Purdue on Jan. 24, Wagler joined Kiwane Garris as the only two freshmen in Illini history with multiple 30+-point games. 
• Wagler has earned a conference-leading six Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors this season. His six awards are the second-most in school history behind Kofi Cockburn (7) in 2019-20. 
• Wagler has been named to the Naismith Trophy Late-Season Team, and was added to Midseason Watch Lists for the Wooden Award (Top 20) and Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Award (Top 10). He was also named the Oscar Robertson High-Major Player of the Month for January by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association.
• Wagler earned National Player of the Week honors on Jan. 26 following one of the greatest scoring performances in college basketball history with a record 46 points in the Illini's win at No. 4 Purdue (see p. 3 for full list of records set).

ILLINI ITEMS

• The Illini were projected as a No. 2 seed, seventh overall, when the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee revealed its top 16 teams on Feb. 21.   
• Illinois has eight Quad 1 wins, tied for sixth in the NCAA (through games played March 6). Six of Illinois' eight wins in this category are Quad 1A, tied for third-most in the nation behind Duke (9) and Michigan (7). 
• Illinois is No. 5 overall in the NET rankings, second in the Big Ten behind Michigan (2). Illinois is 13-7 on the season combined in Quad 1 and Quad 2 games, and 10-0 combined in Quad 3 and Quad 4 matchups.
• Illinois is ranked No. 5 in kenpom, just behind the highest rating of the Brad Underwood era. The Illini finished the 2020-21 season at No. 4.
• Illinois leads the nation in adjusted offensive efficiency (131.8). Offensive coordinator Tyler Underwood has helped Brad Underwood implement a top-15 offense for the third straight season after ranking third in 2024 (125.5) and 14th last year (121.9).
• Illinois is No. 11 in both the AP poll and coaches polls. Illinois has been ranked in the AP Top 25 in each of the last seven seasons under Brad Underwood, and in every ranking released so far this season. 
• Illinois finished 14-3 at home, averaging 86.1 points with an average scoring margin of +20.3 ppg.
• Illinois is 9-4 away from home this season, and 7-2 in true road games, all in Big Ten play.
• With one game remaining, Illinois' 14-5 Big Ten record is its best in the Underwood era since finishing 15-5 in 2021-22 to tie for the regular season championship. 
• Illinois has defeated two Top-5 teams, with wins at No. 4 Purdue and at No. 5 Nebraska. The school record for Top-5 wins in a season is three, set by the 1951-52 Illini squad. 
• Illinois is the tallest team in the nation, with an average height of 80.0 inches (kenpom).
• Four Fighting Illini average at least 12 points per game, tied for the most nationally: Keaton Wagler (18.1 ppg), Andrej Stojakovic (13.5), Kylan Boswell (13.4), and David Mirkovic (12.9). 
• Illinois is the only team in the nation with seven players averaging at least 4.0 rebounds: David Mirkovic (7.7 rpg), Tomislav Ivisic (5.7), Keaton Wagler (5.0), Zvonimir Ivisic (4.8), Andrej Stojakovic (4.6), Kylan Boswell (4.1), and Ben Humrichous (4.1). 
• Illinois is first in the nation in defensive free throw rate (19.6), and second in fewest fouls per game (13.1).
• Illinois ranks fifth in the NCAA and first in the Big Ten with a free-throw percentage of 79.2%. Last year the Illini shot 76.2% at the free-throw line, the second-best season mark in school history behind the 2014-15 team that holds the single-season record at 79.4%. 
• Illinois is third nationally and leads the Big Ten in offensive rebound percentage at 39.2.
• Illinois ranks second in the Big Ten with a scoring average of 84.5 points per game. The Illini led the B1G in scoring last season (83.6 ppg). 
• Along with the No. 1-rated offense (131.8) of the kenpom era, the Illini are No. 27 in defense (98.6) this year.
• Illinois is averaging 16.0 second chance points per game (481), which leads the Big Ten.
• Illinois ranks second in the Big Ten averaging 11.2 three-pointers and has made 10+ 3-pointers in a Big Ten-leading 22 games this season with a 17-5 record. 
• The Illini have knocked down at least 10 triples in 18 of the last 22 games, highlighted by a school-record tying 18 treys in the win at No. 4 Purdue (Jan. 24), and 17 threes in the team's home win vs. Northwestern (Feb. 4). 
• Illinois has outrebounded its opponent in 26 of 30 games this season and ranks second in the Big Ten (seventh nationally) in rebound margin at +10.2 rpg. Illinois is 22-4 when it wins the battle on the glass.
• Eight different players have been the Illini's leading scorer in a game this season. That ranks first in the Big Ten and is tied for 10th nationally, overall, and tie for third among power conference programs. 
• Illinois is the only team to finish above .500 in Big Ten play every year since 2019-20.
• The Illini have the most wins in Big Ten play since 2019-20 with 95 victories. During that span, Illinois also leads all teams with 41 league road wins. 
• When including the conference tournament, the Illini have a league-leading 102 wins over Big Ten teams the last seven seasons, and are tied for the lead with three B1G championships during that span.  
• Illinois is No. 5 in the kenpom rankings with an adjusted efficiency margin +33.21. The Illini have had a kenpom rating of 35th or better each of the last six years under Brad Underwood, and are just short of the team's high ranking of No. 4 to close out the 2020-21 season. Illinois posted consecutive top-20 rankings the last two seasons: 10th in 2023-24 and 17th in 2024-25.
• At its current scoring pace (84.5 ppg), this year's Illini are challenging to become just the sixth team in program history to average at least 85.0 points for a full season. The Illini opened the 2025-26 campaign with seven straight games of 80+ points. It marked the most such games to open a campaign since the 1988-89 Flyin' Illini scored 80+ in each of their first 12 contests.   
• Brad Underwood has led Illinois to 32 wins over top-25 opponents since 2019-20, with 23 of those wins coming in ranked-vs.-ranked matchups. Illinois' 32 top-25 victories are 10th-most in the NCAA during that span. This season the Illini have ranked wins over No. 11 Texas Tech at home, vs. No. 13 Tennessee in Nashville, at No. 19 Iowa, at No. 4 Purdue, and at No. 5 Nebraska.  
•  Illinois is 5-5 this season vs. AP Top 25 teams. Illinois has won 5+ games vs. ranked opponents in four of the last six seasons under head coach Brad Underwood. 
• As a team, Illinois ranks in the top three in the Big Ten, and among the top 25 programs nationally in 12 categories: The Illini lead the Big Ten with 13.1 fouls per game (second in the NCAA), a .792 free-throw percentage (fifth), 11.2 3-pointers per game (ninth), 41.1 total rebounds per game (ninth), and 13.4 offensive rebounds per game (19th), and rank second in the league with a +10.2 rebound margin (seventh in the NCAA), 9.0 turnovers per game (seventh), a +15.4 scoring margin (10th), 31.7 3-point attempts per game (10th), 27.7 defensive rebounds per game (16th), and a scoring offense of 84.5 points per game (22nd). The Illini are third in the B1G with 4.8 blocks per game (25th in the NCAA).  
• Andrej Stojakovic is the second active Illini to reach 1,000 career points, reaching the milestone Jan. 17 vs. Minnesota. Stojakovic now has 1,136 points to rank behind Kylan Boswell (1,247) in the 1,000-point club.
• Illinois has claimed seven of 15 Big Ten Freshman of the Week selections this season. Keaton Wagler leads the Big Ten with six honors, while David Mirkovic has garnered two nods. 
• Freshman G Keaton Wagler has scored in double-figures in 22 consecutive games dating back to the Illini's win over No. 13 Tennessee on Dec. 6, including an historic 46-point outburst in a win at No. 4 Purdue on Jan. 24 (more on p. 3). During that stretch, Wagler is averaging a team-leading 19.8 points per game, and ranks fourth in rebounding at 4.9 boards per contest, while shooting 45.6% (130-285) overall, 43.8% (63-144) from 3-point range, and 81.2% (112-138) from the free-throw line. Wagler also leads the team with 113 assists and 20 steals during that stretch. 
• Keaton Wagler leads the Illini and ranks among the Big Ten leaders with: 185 free-throw attempts (4th), 150 free-throws made (5th), 543 total points (7th), 73 3-pointers made (8th), 2.43 3-pointers per game (8th), 18.1 points per game (10th), 355 field goal attempts (9th), 129 total assists (10th), 4.3 assists per game (11th), 174 3-point attempts (12th), 160 field goals made (13th), and a .451 field goal percentage (17th).  Wagler also ranks 11th in the Big Ten minutes per game at 33:26.  
• Freshman F David Mirkovic is one of only three freshmen in the nation, along with Duke's Cameron Boozer and North Carolina's Caleb Wilson, averaging at least 12.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists. 
• A two-time Big Ten Freshman of the Week, David Mirkovic leads the Illini and ranks among the Big Ten leaders with: 232 total rebounds (5th), 7.7 total rebounds per game (5th), 5.4 defensive rebounds per game (5th), six double-doubles (9th), 2.3 offensive rebounds per game (9th). Mirkovic is also fourth on the team with a scoring average of 12.9 ppg (36th). 
• Senior G Kylan Boswell is the Illini's active career leader with 1,247 career points (739 at Illinois), with eight 20+ point games and 39 career double-digit scoring games in Orange and Blue. Boswell has eclipsed the 20-point mark eight times over the last two years, including five times this season. 
• Junior G Andrej Stojakovic transferred to Illinois with a reputation as a prolific scorer and is averaging 13.5 points on 49.6% shooting. Stojakovic has seven games this season with 20+ points, highlighted by 30 points vs. Maryland and 26 points vs. No. 11 Alabama. Stojakovic also posted 23 points the win over No. 11 Texas Tech, and scored 20 and 24, respectively, in Illinois' wins over LIU and UTRGV. In Big Ten play, Stojakovic scored 22 in the Illini's 101-65 victory at USC, and tallied 21 points and a career-high 12 rebounds in a double-double effort vs. Oregon. Stojakovic has led the Illini in scoring in eight games this season. 
• Twin 7-footers Tomislav Ivisic and Zvonimir Ivisic rank among the top shooting big men in college basketball. Tomislav is first in the NCAA among 7-footers with 13 games this season with multiple 3-pointers, while Zvonimir is tied for third with nine such games. Tomislav also leads the NCAA among 7-footers at 1.6 3-pointers per game, while Zvonimir ranks tied for sixth at 0.9 triples per contest.
• Zvonimir Ivisic ranks fourth nationally in block rate at 13.7%. He is second in the Big Ten in total blocks (67) and blocks per game (2.2), 15th and 17th in the nation, respectively. His average would rank second all-time in Illinois' record book behind Derek Holcomb (3.0 bpg in 1978-79). The last Illini to average more than two blocks was Nnanna Egwu (2.1 bpg) in 2013-14.
• Ben Humrichous and Jake Davis have been steady role players in helping the Illini to the nation's most efficient offense. Humrichous is ranked No. 2 by kenpom with a turnover rate of 3.8%, and has committed just five turnovers on the year, first nationally among players with at least 500 minutes played. Davis ranks second on that list with just six turnovers. Among all players, regardless of usage rate, Davis (144.6) and Ben Humrichous (138.1), rank second and 10th in the country, respectively, in offensive efficiency rating by kenpom.

ILLINOIS VS. MARYLAND

• Sunday's finale at Maryland is the 27th meeting in the all-time series dating back to a 72-70 Illini win in the 1984 NCAA Sweet 16 in Lexington, Ky. 
• Illinois is 9-17 all-time vs. Maryland and 5-12 as Big Ten opponents since the Terrapins joined the league prior to the 2014-15 season.  
• In the first meeting this season Jan. 21 at State Farm Center, the Illini earned an 89-70 win, the eighth win during Illinois' 12-game win streak. In the first game of Kylan Boswell's seven-game absence with broken right hand, the Illini led by as many as 27 points, behind Andrej Stojakovic who scored a season-high 30 with nine rebounds and two blocks. David Mirkovic recorded 15 points and nine rebounds, Keaton Wagler tallied 13 points, seven rebounds and eight assists, and Jake Davis posted 12 points on 4-for-6 shooting from 3-point range. 
• Illinois is 2-7 in games played at Maryland (1-5 in Big Ten play). 
• In their last trip to Maryland, the Illini won, 85-80, on Feb. 17, 2024. Terrence Shannon Jr. led the way with 27 points while Marcus Domask posted a 19-point, 12-rebound double-double. 

ILLINI IN THE NET

• Illinois is No. 5 in the NCAA NET ranking though games played March 6. 
• The Illini's No. 5 rating ranks second in the Big Ten behind Michigan (2). 
• The Illini are 8-6 vs. Quad 1, 5-1 vs. Quad 2, 5-0 vs. Quad 3, and 5-0 vs. Quad 4.
• Illinois' eight Quad 1 wins are tied for sixth nationally. 
• Illinois has six Quad 1A victories, tied for third in the nation behind Duke (9) and Michigan (7).
• The Illini close the regular season with a Quad 3 matchup at Maryland (156)

ILLINOIS WHEN RANKED

• The No. 11 Illini have played all 30 games this season ranked in the Top 25. 
• Illinois is 675-274 (.711) all-time in 949 games when ranked in the AP Top 25. The program is 369-56 at home, including a 291-43 mark at State Farm Center, 166-152 on the road, and 140-64 at neutral sites. 
• Under head coach Brad Underwood, Illinois is 113-50 (.693) when ranked.

Complete Illinois Game Notes (PDF)