Keaton Wagler shook off some pregame back spasms with a big second half for No. 13 Illinois at Northwestern. He finished with 22 points, five rebounds and three assists in the Illini’s 79-68 victory. Wagler is averaging a team-high 16.1 points for the deep Illini, who have won six in a row to improve to 14-3 — matching the program’s best 17-game start since the 2012-13 season. He also leads the team with 36 3-pointers and 63 assists. Wagler says he thinks his second-half performance against the Wildcats will give him confidence for the rest of the season.
Wagler adds to impressive freshman season with a big second half for No. 13 Illinois
Illinois guard Keaton Wagler (23) battles for a loose ball against Northwestern guard Angelo Ciaravino (44), guard Jayden Reid (4) and forward Nick Martinelli, right, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
