NCAAB · Final

Illinois Defeats Minnesota 77-67 in NCAAB Clash

Saturday, January 17, 2026, 12:00 PM ET · State Farm Center

Illinois Fighting Illini 77, Minnesota Golden Gophers 67, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.

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Quick answers

Who won Minnesota Golden Gophers vs Illinois Fighting Illini?

Illinois Fighting Illini beat Minnesota Golden Gophers 77-67 at State Farm Center on January 17, 2026.

Who was favored in Minnesota Golden Gophers vs Illinois Fighting Illini?

Illinois Fighting Illini were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -1600 (about 94% implied). The favorite won.

The Illinois Fighting Illini secured a solid victory over the Minnesota Golden Gophers with a final score of 77-67 at the State Farm Center. This matchup showcased Illinois's strong home performance, as they improved their record to 16-3, while Minnesota fell to 10-9. Illinois has been in impressive form, boasting a recent record of 8-2 over their last ten games, including a six-game winning streak leading up to this contest. They have averaged 79.3 points per game while allowing 65.9 points during this stretch, demonstrating a potent offense and a solid defense.

In contrast, Minnesota has struggled recently, recording a 6-4 record in their last ten games and losing their last two. The Golden Gophers averaged 73.0 points scored while allowing 67.4 points in that same span. Their recent form reflects a team that has faced challenges, particularly in close games, as evidenced by their narrow losses to Wisconsin and USC.

The game unfolded in front of a home crowd, which has been a significant advantage for Illinois, who have a home record of 12-1 this season. Minnesota, on the other hand, has struggled on the road, with a record of 1-3 in away games during their last ten outings. The previous meeting between these two teams occurred on February 8, 2025, where Illinois also emerged victorious, winning 95-74.

In terms of injuries, the block did not specify any current issues affecting either team, allowing both squads to field their full rosters for this important matchup. The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had Illinois favored by 15.5 points with a total set at 142.5. The odds reflected the expectations for a strong home performance from Illinois, who have consistently demonstrated their ability to score effectively at home.

As the game progressed, key plays highlighted the Illini's offensive prowess. Notable moments included a series of three-pointers from Keaton Wagler, who contributed significantly to the scoreline, helping Illinois maintain their lead. The final scoring plays saw David Mirkovic and Wagler both converting free throws to solidify the victory in the closing moments.

Overall, this matchup not only showcased Illinois's dominance at home but also highlighted Minnesota's ongoing struggles as they seek to regain form in the competitive NCAAB landscape.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	ILL -15.5	142.5 o -108 / u -112	Minnesota Golden Gophers +900 · Illinois Fighting Illini -1600

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Leaders

PointsZvonimir Ivisic18Illinois Fighting Illini
AssistsKeaton Wagler5Illinois Fighting Illini
ReboundsZvonimir Ivisic9Illinois Fighting Illini
PointsJaylen Crocker-Johnson22Minnesota Golden Gophers
AssistsLangston Reynolds5Minnesota Golden Gophers
ReboundsJaylen Crocker-Johnson8Minnesota Golden Gophers

Recent form

Illinois Fighting Illini

Last 10: 8-2Streak W679.3 scored · 65.9 allowed per game3-1 at home

W79-68at Northwestern WildcatsJan 15
W75-69at Iowa HawkeyesJan 11
W81-55vs Rutgers Scarlet KnightsJan 9
W73-65at Penn State Nittany LionsJan 4
W90-55vs Southern JaguarsDec 29
W91-48vs Missouri TigersDec 23
L80-83vs Nebraska CornhuskersDec 13
W88-80at Ohio State BuckeyesDec 10
W75-62at Tennessee VolunteersDec 7
L61-74at UConn HuskiesNov 28

Minnesota Golden Gophers

Last 10: 6-4Streak L273 scored · 67.4 allowed per game1-2 away

L75-78vs Wisconsin BadgersJan 14
L69-70vs USC TrojansJan 10
W70-67vs Iowa HawkeyesJan 7
W84-78at Northwestern WildcatsJan 3
W60-43vs Fairleigh Dickinson KnightsDec 30
W78-50vs Campbell Fighting CamelsDec 21
W89-53vs Texas Southern TigersDec 14
L57-85at Purdue BoilermakersDec 11
W73-64vs Indiana HoosiersDec 4
L75-86at Santa Clara BroncosNov 29

Standings

Team	Overall	Games behind	In conference
Michigan	37-3	-	19-1
Nebraska	28-7	4	15-5
Michigan State	27-8	4	15-5
Illinois	28-9	4	15-5
Wisconsin	24-11	5	14-6
Purdue	30-9	6	13-7
UCLA	24-12	6	13-7
Ohio State	21-13	7	12-8
Iowa	24-13	9	10-10
Indiana	18-14	10	9-11
Minnesota	15-18	11	8-12
USC	18-14	12	7-13
Washington	16-17	12	7-13
Rutgers	14-20	13	6-14
Northwestern	15-19	14	5-15
Oregon	12-20	14	5-15
Maryland	12-21	15	4-16
Penn State	12-20	16	3-17

Box score

Stat	Minnesota Golden Gophers	Illinois Fighting Illini
Field goals	26-65	24-59
Field goal %	40	41
Three-pointers	12-35	13-35
Three-point %	34	37
Free throws	3-3	16-19
Free throw %	100	84
Rebounds	31	42
Offensive rebounds	11	17
Defensive rebounds	20	25
Assists	16	16
Steals	7	5
Blocks	2	4
Turnovers	7	10
Team turnovers	0	0
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	12	14
Fast-break points	9	7
Points in the paint	24	16
Fouls	16	9
Largest lead	6	12
Lead changes	7	7
Time in front	29	55

How the scoring went

1st Half34-32Grayson Grove makes 0-foot tip in dunk
1st Half34-34Mihailo Petrovic makes 18-foot jumper
2nd Half34-37David Mirkovic makes 26-foot three point jumper (Keaton Wagler assists)
2nd Half36-37Langston Reynolds makes layup
2nd Half36-39Andrej Stojakovic makes 4-foot jumper
2nd Half39-39Jaylen Crocker-Johnson makes 23-foot three point jumper (Bobby Durkin assists)
2nd Half39-42Tomislav Ivisic makes 25-foot three point jumper (Keaton Wagler assists)
2nd Half39-44Tomislav Ivisic makes 12-foot jumper (Andrej Stojakovic assists)
2nd Half41-44Cade Tyson makes layup (Isaac Asuma assists)
2nd Half43-44Langston Reynolds makes 12-foot jumper
2nd Half43-46Tomislav Ivisic makes layup
2nd Half46-46Isaac Asuma makes 24-foot three point jumper
2nd Half46-49David Mirkovic makes 24-foot three point jumper (Kylan Boswell assists)
2nd Half46-50Zvonimir Ivisic makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half46-51Zvonimir Ivisic makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half47-51Cade Tyson makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half48-51Cade Tyson makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half51-51Cade Tyson makes 24-foot three point jumper (Langston Reynolds assists)
2nd Half51-54Keaton Wagler makes 24-foot three point jumper (Kylan Boswell assists)
2nd Half53-54Cade Tyson makes 10-foot jumper
2nd Half53-55Kylan Boswell makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half53-56Kylan Boswell makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half55-56Langston Reynolds makes layup (Bobby Durkin assists)
2nd Half55-59Zvonimir Ivisic makes 23-foot three point jumper (Keaton Wagler assists)
2nd Half55-62David Mirkovic makes 26-foot three point jumper (Keaton Wagler assists)
2nd Half55-63Kylan Boswell makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half55-64Kylan Boswell makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half55-65Andrej Stojakovic makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half55-66Andrej Stojakovic makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half57-66Jaylen Crocker-Johnson makes 6-foot jumper
2nd Half59-66Cade Tyson makes layup
2nd Half62-66Langston Reynolds makes 24-foot three point jumper (Isaac Asuma assists)
2nd Half62-68David Mirkovic makes 8-foot jumper (Tomislav Ivisic assists)
2nd Half62-71Tomislav Ivisic makes 25-foot three point jumper (Keaton Wagler assists)
2nd Half62-74Keaton Wagler makes 26-foot three point jumper
2nd Half65-74Isaac Asuma makes 24-foot three point jumper (Jaylen Crocker-Johnson assists)
2nd Half67-74Bobby Durkin makes layup
2nd Half67-75Keaton Wagler makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half67-76Keaton Wagler makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half67-77David Mirkovic makes free throw 1 of 2

Win probability

Above the line favours Illinois Fighting Illini, below favours Minnesota Golden Gophers.