After what was a grind-it-out victory for the Wisconsin men’s basketball team at Nebraska Tuesday, the Badgers will be back home Sunday to take on Illinois for the first time this season.

In their two meetings last season, Wisconsin (22-2 overall, 9-1 Big Ten) dominated Illinois (16-8 overall, 6-5 Big Ten) by a combined margin of 37 points.

UW will look to do more of the same to Illinois this year as they continue to ride their seven-game win streak.

In those seven games, Wisconsin is averaging 74 points per game and has an average margin of victory of 14.6 points.

Senior forward and Player of the Year candidate Frank Kaminsky continues to lead the Badgers during the streak. Kaminsky leads the Badgers in points (17.3), rebounds (8.3), assists (2.5) and blocks (1.7) per game this season and also has a conference-leading nine double doubles.

Wisconsin leads the Big Ten in scoring defense, giving up just 56.2 points per game, and is currently fourth in the conference in scoring offense, averaging 73.6 points per game.

On the other side, the Fighting Illini are currently riding a win streak of their own, winning their last three games and five of their last seven, including an impressive road win at Michigan State on Saturday.

Illinois’ impressive hot streak has come without their best player coming into the season, senior guard Rayvonte Rice.

Rice, the team’s leading scorer at 17.2 points per game, suffered a left hand injury in practice in early January, and then was suspended indefinitely last Saturday for violating team rules.

In Rice’s absence, it has been sophomore guard Malcolm Hill who has stepped up for Illinois. Hill has scored in double figures in each game since Rice’s injury, averaging an impressive 17.7 points and five rebounds per game in the nine games without Rice.

Illinois remains in the middle of the pack for both scoring offense and defense, scoring 72 points per game — good for sixth in the Big Ten — and giving up 63.3 points per game – seventh in the conference.

Illinois has a chance to extend their win streak before taking on the Badgers, as they go up against Michigan at home on Thursday.

Despite the result for Illinois on Thursday, Wisconsin will still have their hands full on Sunday with a team playing well at a time when every conference game is crucial.

Tip-off for Sunday’s matchup between the Badgers and the Fighting Illini is set for noon.

Who – No. 5 Wisconsin vs. Illinois

When – Sunday, Feb. 15, 12 p.m.

Where – Madison, WI; Kohl Center (17,230)

TV Broadcast – CBS

Wisconsin (22-2, 9-1 Big Ten)

Big Ten: 9-1, 1st place by 3 games over Maryland, Ohio State, Indiana, Michigan State and Purdue

Last game: Defeated Nebraska 65-55 Tuesday

Probable Starters: G – Bronson Koenig (6-4, 7.2 ppg), G – Josh Gasser (6-4, 7.5 ppg), F – Sam Dekker (6-9, 13.2 ppg), F – Nigel Hayes (6-8, 12.3 ppg), F – Frank Kaminsky (7-0, 17.3 ppg)

Key Reserves: F – Duje Dukan, F – Vitto Brown, G – Zak Showalter

Illinois (16-8 overall, 6-5 Big Ten)

Big Ten: 7-5, tied for 6th place

Last game: Defeated Michigan in overtime at home Thursday, 64-52

Probable Starters: G – Malcolm Hill (6-6, 14.8 ppg), G – Kendrick Nunn (6-3, 11.5 ppg), G – Jaylon Tate (6-3, 3.9 ppg), F – Leron Black (6-7, 5.4 ppg), F – Nnanna Egwu (6-11, 7.0 ppg)

Key Reserves: G – Ahmad Starks, F – Maverick Morgan, F – Austin Colbert

Update: Rayvonte Rice returned to the Illini lineup Thursday against Michigan and is expected to play Sunday against Wisconsin.