One of Michigan State’s biggest threats to win the Big Ten just suffered a major loss

One of Michigan State’s main competitors for the 2025-26 Big Ten title just suffered a massive loss.

At the top of the Big Ten standings through two-thirds of the month of January are Nebraska and Purdue, followed by Michigan State, Michigan, and Illinois. There are about five teams who could realistically win the Big Ten this season, and they’re all ranked in the top 11 nationally.

Purdue is ranked No. 4, Nebraska is No. 7, Michigan is No. 3, Michigan State is No. 10, and Illinois is right behind at No. 11. Unfortunately for the Illini, however, they may soon be out of the race.

The Illini are 15-3 on the season and 6-1 in Big Ten play, but they’re about to enter their toughest stretch of the season without arguably their most important player.

According to head coach Brad Underwood, Kylan Boswell is about to be out until at least mid-February with a fractured hand.

This is a massive loss for the Illini seeing as Boswell runs the offense, and averages 14.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.4 assists. He’s the team’s leader, and if Illinois is going to win the Big Ten, he needs to be healthy and playing at a high level. Without him, freshman Keaton Wagler is going to have to shoulder even more of the load — that’s a lot to ask from a true freshman.

Kylan Boswell will likely miss the Michigan State game

As I already said, Illinois is entering its toughest stretch of the season, and that’s a horrendous time to lose arguably their most important player.

Illinois is going to host Maryland (that should be an easy win) before going to Purdue, hosting Washington, going to Nebraska, hosting Northwestern, and then heading to East Lansing to face Michigan State on Feb. 7. There’s a very good chance that Boswell isn’t back until well after this stretch. Heck, even a home game against Wisconsin isn’t safe — just ask Michigan.

The schedule won’t be a walk in the park for the Illini without Boswell, but if they can tread water for long enough, they could remain in the race when he returns.

Facing three of the league’s top four teams over the next two weeks won’t help, though.

Michigan State will only see Illinois once this season — in East Lansing.