Tre White Powers Illinois to Key Win Over Wisconsin, Preps for Showdown with No. 1 Tennessee

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — It wasn’t the prettiest of games, but the Illinois Fighting Illini found a way to win when they needed it most. In an 86-80 victory over Wisconsin on Tuesday night at the State Farm Center, junior guard Tre White emerged as the hero, delivering a stellar 23-point, 8-rebound performance that set the tone for his team.

The win was a much-needed confidence boost for Brad Underwood’s squad, coming on the heels of a disappointing loss to Northwestern last week. Illinois had been struggling, particularly on the offensive end, with poor shooting from both the three-point line and the free-throw line. But White, who had scored just four points in his last two games combined, answered the call in a big way, propelling the Illini to their first Big Ten victory of the season.

"We needed someone to step up, and Tre White did just that," Underwood said after the game. "He was a difference-maker on both ends of the floor, and we wouldn't have won this game without his leadership."

White’s Dominance Fuels Illini Surge

The game was far from smooth sailing. After Wisconsin’s Nolan Winter cut Illinois’ lead to just four points with a big 3-pointer at the 2:41 mark, the Badgers appeared to be mounting a late-game comeback. But White wasn’t about to let that happen. With the game hanging in the balance, he came up with one of the defining plays of the night: a thunderous one-handed putback dunk following a missed shot from teammate Tomislav Ivisic.

The play electrified the crowd and gave the Illini a bit of breathing room at 76-70 with just over two minutes remaining. White’s hustle and determination on both ends of the floor were the difference-makers down the stretch. He also came up clutch at the free-throw line, finishing 9-for-10 on the night, including two critical makes in the final minute.

“We knew we had to respond, and I just wanted to make the plays when the game was on the line,” White said. “We’ve been working hard in practice, and tonight we showed what we can do when we lock in and play with intensity.”

While White was the offensive spark, his defensive contributions were just as crucial. Alongside Kylan Boswell, White helped shut down Wisconsin’s leading scorer, John Tonje, who struggled throughout the night, finishing with just 14 points on 5-for-15 shooting.

Illinois’ Rebounding Edge Key to Victory

Illinois’ dominance on the glass was another critical factor in the win. The Illini outrebounded the Badgers 40-29, led by Ivisic’s 11 rebounds and White’s eight. The Illini’s rebounding effort disrupted Wisconsin’s offensive rhythm and limited second-chance opportunities.

“We’ve been talking a lot about toughness and hitting the glass hard,” said White. “Tonight, I think we really showed that. Every rebound felt like a possession we had to win.”

Though Illinois’ shooting from deep was again inconsistent (10-for-33, 30.3 percent), White’s performance, along with strong contributions from Boswell (19 points) and Ivisic (11 rebounds), kept the Illini ahead. Even though the team shot poorly from three, they made up for it with critical free throws down the stretch — 10 of 11 in the final minutes — and a strong defensive showing.

Wisconsin Struggles Continue

For Wisconsin, it was another tough night in Big Ten play. Despite a game-high 24 points from guard Kasparas Jakucionis, the Badgers’ offense couldn’t sustain a consistent rhythm. Along with Tonje’s inefficient shooting, Wisconsin struggled to get key stops when it mattered most. The Badgers also missed some crucial opportunities, including a few wide-open looks from beyond the arc late in the game.

“Credit to Illinois — they really took control of the game when they needed to,” said Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard. “We had our chances, but we couldn’t execute in critical moments.”

Illinois Looks Ahead to No. 1 Tennessee

Now, with a conference win in hand, Illinois turns its attention to a major challenge: a home showdown with No. 1 Tennessee on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. CT. The Volunteers are one of the most formidable teams in the country, and the Illini will need to carry over the energy and grit they showed against Wisconsin if they hope to pull off the upset.

“It’s a huge game for us,” Underwood said. “We’re going to enjoy this win, but we’ve got to quickly refocus because Tennessee is as tough as it gets. We’ve got to be ready.”

The Illini will need all of White’s scoring, Boswell’s playmaking, and their rebounding dominance if they’re to have any chance of taking down the top-ranked team in the nation.

For now, though, Illinois can savor a hard-fought win and look forward to what’s sure to be an intense showdown with Tennessee.

Cameron Williams

DiSportsPhotoAgency

Senior Writer