| Northwestern (16-6, 6-5 B1G) vs. Illinois (12-11, 3-8 B1G) |
|
| Date | Sunday, Feb. 8 | 1:00 p.m. CST |
| Location | Welsh-Ryan Arena | Evanston, Ill. |
| Watch Live | BTN Plus on BTN2GO |
| Listen Live | WNUR - 89.3 FM |
| Live Stats | GameTracker |
| Social Media | @nuwbball  | Northwestern Women's Basketball  | @NUCATS_WBB  |
| Game Notes (PDF) |
Northwestern | Illinois |
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern makes a brief stop back home Sunday afternoon to host a busy day of basketball and more at Welsh-Ryan Arena when Illinois comes up from Champaign for a 1 p.m. tip.
NATIONAL GIRLS AND WOMEN IN SPORTS DAY
Prior to the game, Northwestern Athletics will host its fourth annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day roundtable event at 11:30 a.m. This special celebration is open to girls in grades 4-12 grades and it provides the unique opportunity to interact with Northwestern student-athletes, staff, coaches and other professionals in a roundtable setting. In addition to several current Wildcats, CBS Chicago sports anchor and four-time Big Ten women's tennis champion Megan Mawicke will be in attendance, along with NU Assistant Athletic Director for Career Enhancement & Employer Relations Julie Dunn Hammer. Northwestern cross country coaches April Likhite and Audrey Huth will be on hand, as will assistant women's soccer coach Shannon Neely For more information or to register, please click here.
ON SUNDAYS WE WEAR PINK
Northwestern will hold its annual WBCA Pink Zone game on Sunday as well. The Wildcats will wear special shooting shirts, uniforms and shoes as part of a global initiative by women's basketball coaches to raise awareness and support for those who have been touched by breast cancer. During the game, the 'Cats will honor several people, including doctors from Northwestern Memorial's Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University during the game against Illinois.
WELCOME HOME
Head coach Joe McKeown and the Wildcats will also welcome back dozens of former Northwestern players for the annual Alumni Day celebration. Former Wildcats will be recognized throughout the game after reminiscing with one another during a pregame reception.
KEEPING IT CLOSE
Northwestern and Illinois have played a handful of close games since the 2011 season. Six of the last eight contests in the Land of Lincoln series (since Jan. 9, 2011) have been decided by a margin of four points or less. The Wildcats are 5-1 in those tight matchups following a one-point win Champaign on Jan. 22 this season. Chicago's Big Ten Team leads the all-time series, 36-34.
PASS THE BUTTER
Northwestern's Nia Coffey was one of three players named to the Big Ten Weekly Honor Roll on Monday. The sophomore averaged 23.5 points, 10 rebounds, two blocks and 1.5 steals per game in contests against Iowa (1/29) and Minnesota (2/1). Coffey scored a career-high 35 points against the Hawkeyes and followed that up with her eighth double-double of the season against her hometown team, Minnesota. The sophomore also claimed Big Ten Player of the Week honors on Dec. 1 this season after helping the 'Cats defeat No. 18 DePaul in double overtime.
ROAD WARRIORS
The Wildcats secured their eighth win of the season away from home on Thursday night at Assembly Hall against Indiana. That number matches the 2011-12 squad for the most under head coach Joe McKeown (since 2008-09). That team three seasons ago won only two Big Ten games away from Welsh-Ryan Arena, while this year's team already has three with three more to go this month. Earlier this season, Northwestern won against Michigan State in East Lansing, Mich. on Dec.28 for the first time since March 5, 1993.
SCOUTING ILLINOIS
Overall Record: 12-11, 3-8 Big Ten
All-Time Series Record: NU leads, 36-34
Notable: The Wildcats and Illini have been multiply memorable games in recent years. Six of the last eight contests dating back to the 2011 season have been decided by four points or less, with Northwestern winning five of those games, including a 68-67 decision in Champaign on Jan. 22. The Illini continue to lead the Big Ten in turnover margin at +5.4, narrowly ahead of NU which checks in at +5.2. Northwestern won the turnover battle in the first game between the instate rivals by three.
UP NEXT
Northwestern will be on the road for a pair of games next week. The Wildcats visit West Lafayette, Ind. on Wednesday, Feb. 11 to take on Purdue at 6 p.m. CST in the only regular-season meeting between the two sides this season. On Saturday, Valentine's Day, the 'Cats will be in Ann Arbor, Mich. to conclude the season series against Michigan at 1 p.m. CST. That game will be televised live on the Big Ten Network.
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter and Instagram, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook and sign up to receive promotional text alerts for the latest news, schedule updates and video and to interact with NU. For more information on following specific Northwestern teams online, visit our Social Media page!