The Indiana Hoosiers and the Illinois Fighting Illini are just over two days away from tipping off in the two teams' 15th Big Ten matchup of the season, and unfortunately for IU, the Illini may receive great news just before the first whistle is blown.
Illinois's senior guard Kylan Boswell has missed a lot of time this season with a fractured hand and hasn't played in a game since the middle of January.
However, on Friday morning, ESPN's Pete Thamel reported that Boswell had been upgraded to a game-time decision, meaning he could very likely play in the game against Indiana.
Kylan Boswell nears return for Fighting Illini
Boswell has been a constant presence for Illinois over the last two seasons after transferring to play for head coach Brad Underwood in 2024.
Before injuring his hand, Boswell was averaging 14.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 0.7 steals per game as one of the veteran leaders on the Fighting Illini's roster. Don't get it twisted, it's not like Illinois has been struggling with Boswell stuck on the bench. This season, the Illini have gone 20-5 overall and are currently ranked eighth in the national standings.
Illinois's only losses in Big Ten play were against then-No. 23 Nebraska, then-No. 10 Michigan State, and most recently, unranked Wisconsin, which has upset a handful of ranked opponents this year.
Illinois guard Kylan Boswell is going to be a game-time decision on Sunday against Indiana, per coach Brad Underwood, as he nears a return from his fractured hand. He’ll be unrestricted in practice, and whether he will play will come down to how he responds. pic.twitter.com/avxnFyYkrG
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) February 13, 2026
Yet, the Illini have lacked that tentpole leadership from a veteran like Boswell, and his return could bring the Hoosiers' chances of upsetting Illinois to nearly zero.
Indiana hasn't had a bad season, but at 17-8 overall and 8-6 against conference opponents, it shouldn't be surprising that the Hoosiers were far from favored in their top-10 game against the Fighting Illini. News that Boswell might return didn't do IU any favors.
Indiana and No. 8 Illinois are scheduled to tip off at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, Feb. 15, and the game will be broadcast on CBS.