IU basketball hosts Illinois in battle for a key spot in the Big 10 standings

No. 15 (USA Today) Indiana basketball returns home to take on Illinois in Big Ten action.

Indiana (18-8, 9-6) is coming off a narrow loss to Northwestern that could have vaulted the Hoosiers into second place in the conference standings. IU had a horrendous first half but tied the score in the final minute before Boo Buie lifted the Wildcats in the closing seconds. The Hoosiers are 13-1 at home this season.

Illinois (17-8, 8-6) have a chance to vault the Hoosiers in the league standings but have lost its past two road games (Iowa and Penn State). Terrence Shannon Jr. averages 15.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.4 steals in Big Ten play, while Matthew Mayer adds 13.2 points (31 3-pointers) and 5.5 rebounds, and Coleman Hawkins 10.5 points and 6.6 rebounds.

Indiana is third and Illinois fourth in the Big Ten standings. The top four teams at the end of the regular season get a double bye for the conference tournament, scheduled for March 8-12 in Chicago.

The Hoosiers beat the Illini 80-65 in Champaign on Jan. 19. Trayce Jackson-Davis took advantage of Illinois single-covering him and finished with 35 points. Jordan Geronimo added 13.

Insider:IU learns some painful lessons

Last time out:IU can't wait to be knocked down to play with more fight

How much does Trayce Jackson-Davis average?

IU's big man averages 20.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 3.0 blocked shots in 2022-23. He's almost certain to pass his coach, Mike Woodson, for 5th place on IU's career scoring list. Woodson scored 2,061 points from 1976-80, and TJD has 2,055.

What channel is IU basketball on today?

Time: Noon ET Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind.

TV: ESPN

Radio: 105.1 FM in Bloomington, 93.1 FM in Indianapolis, and SiriusXM Channels 80, 195 and 957.

Indiana basketball schedule

After this game, the Hoosiers are scheduled for games at Michigan State and Purdue.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana vs. Illinois basketball time, TV, Trayce Jackson-Davis watch