February 4, 2026, brings us a slate of NCAA Men's Basketball games that promise to deliver high-stakes action and plenty of drama. Headlining the evening is the clash between the Northwestern Wildcats and the Illinois Fighting Illini. Ranked #6, Illinois is set to defend their home court with vigor, and our model gives them a solid 65% chance of victory in this Big Ten showdown. Can Northwestern defy the odds and come out on top?
With Illinois projected to win 81.7 to 69.3, all eyes will be on their star players. Keaton Wagler and Kylan Boswell are expected to lead the charge with impressive stats—Wagler with 16.2 points and Boswell close behind at 15.6. Meanwhile, Northwestern's Nick Martinelli, projected to score 18.4 points, is the Wildcats' best hope to challenge the Illini's dominance. For more detailed predictions, check out our game simulation.
Next up, the Central Florida Knights head to Texas to face the Houston Cougars, currently ranked #11. Though Houston holds a 56% edge according to our simulations, the Knights are not to be underestimated. Houston's Emanuel Sharp and Kingston Flemings will need to bring their A-game, with Sharp predicted to drop 16.5 points. Central Florida, on the other hand, will look to Themus Fulks and Riley Kugel to drive their offensive efforts. Our game prediction suggests a tight contest, forecasting a final score of 78.3 to 73.6 in favor of Houston.
Finally, the powerhouse Gonzaga Bulldogs travel to face the Portland Pilots in a game that has Gonzaga heavily favored with a 76% chance of winning. The Bulldogs' Graham Ike is expected to be the standout player, with projections of 17.2 points and 8.5 rebounds. Portland's Joel Foxwell, however, will aim to disrupt Gonzaga's plans with his all-round game. Intrigued by the full breakdown? Dive into our detailed predictions for more insights.
As these teams prepare to battle it out on the court, remember that detailed projected player stats are exclusively available to our GameSim+ subscribers. Curious to gain deeper insights and up your game? Learn more and subscribe here.
