The Cornhuskers entered the matchup on a six-game losing streak, the latest result a 28-point defeat at the hands of the Wisconsin Badgers. The team ended its losing skid emphatically with an 80-74 overtime triumph over the Fighting Illini.

A recovery mission was underway late Thursday after a utility-task vehicle broke through the ice on Elizabeth Lake in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, leaving a man in the water. The 70-year-old man remained unaccounted for Thursday evening after ending up underwater in Elizabeth Lake.

Tonje, a sixth-year shooting guard who spent his first four seasons at Colorado State and last winter at Missouri, racked up game highs in both points (23) and 3-pointers (five) and grabbed six rebounds for Wisconsin. But the Terps (17-5, 7-4 Big Ten) emerged with a 76-68 victory thanks to double-digit production from all five of their starters.

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema said he was in close contact with former Wisconsin coaches Paul Chryst and Jim Leonhard during the recent winter transfer window.

Wisconsin men's basketball fell to Maryland, 76-68, on Wednesday. The team's second loss in three games halted the momentum built during the seven-game win streak. The defeat drops the Badgers to 16-5 (6-4 Big Ten).

The 18th-ranked Illinois Fighting Illini hit the road looking to emerge from a recent funk with a Thursday night Big Ten matchup with the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

BOTTOM LINE: Northwestern hosts No. 17 Wisconsin after Jalen Leach scored 23 points in Northwestern's 79-72 loss to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. The Wildcats are 10-2 on their home court. Northwestern is 2-2 in games decided by less than 4 points.

Charlotte, N.C.-based Advocate Health Care will close its in-store clinics at Walgreens locations in Illinois and Wisconsin, effective Feb. 6, a spokesperson for the health system confirmed to Becker's.

Wednesday’s matchup is a clear Quad 1 game for both teams. The winner will rise closer to the top tier that Purdue (NET No. 9) and Illinois (NET No. 10) currently occupy. The victor will almost assuredly jump up to a No. 3-seed in most NCAA Tournament bracket projections.

This story was updated to add new information. Wisconsin program legend Jim Leonhard will remain with the Denver Broncos as a defensive assistant for the 2025 season, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport.

Wisconsin basketball still holds a strong position in both KenPom and ESPN BPI after its road loss to Maryland.

Yet, as the Tribune’s Robert Channick recently reported, crossing the Illinois state line with more than a gallon of beer is, alas, illegal. And, yes, a 12-pack of 12-ounce beers exceeds that threshold. Luckily for many beer lovers, that rule typically is not enforced on the casual drinker.