MADISON, WIS. – When the Illini stepped into the Kohl Center Tuesday, a five-game losing streak in Madison preceded them.

But it was the last two – both lost in the midst of Wisconsin’s record 38-game home winning streak – that really hurt.

Illinois lost in 2002, when the Big Ten Championship hung in the balance. The Badgers then crushed Illinois 76-56 when the teams met in Wisconsin in 2003.

It wouldn’t happen again, however, as the Illini struggled but eventually managed a 75-65 victory – spelling termination for the Kohl Center’s 38-straight home win streak in the process.

“We had some great wins against Wake and Gonzaga,” Deron Williams said. “But coming in here with their streak and all, this is tops.”

Over 200 media members found their way to the Kohl Center to take part in this prime-time event. Much was made of Illinois’ undefeated record on the line against Wisconsin’s home-winning streak, drawing a time slot and attention level that the Illini are starting to grow accustomed to.

“When you get the experience to fight against something like that it gives you the confidence you need,” Luther Head said.

Last year Badger star guard Devin Harris turned this rivalry around with remarks made to Illinois’ fiery guard Dee Brown. After that game Brown said things had changed and now this game against Wisconsin would be personal, despite Harris’ graduation to the NBA.

“(In the huddles) a lot of guys were yelling to just get each other focused,” Williams said. “Before the game we were watching ESPN’s Pardon the Interruption, and they were saying we couldn’t win here.”

Despite all the attention, once the ball was tipped it was just another game. Illinois won the tip and was put to the line on its opening possession. James Augustine made his two foul shots but was answered immediately with a bucket from Wisconsin guard Kammron Taylor. This exchange set the pace for the rest of the night.

“Before the game I told them that if we win here we will be one up on everyone else,” Illinois head coach Bruce Weber said. “Because I don’t know if anybody else can win here.”

Illinois’ trio of guards were as adept at shooting the outside shot as they were at driving past Wisconsin’s slower defenders. Yet Wisconsin was able to keep the Illini in its sights by relying on timely three-point shots.

When it appeared Illinois was pulling away, another Badger brought the house down with a deep trey. The Badgers stuck to their game plan and kept the Illini lead below seven points in the half and moved the deficit to two going into the locker room.

Illinois has looked forward to every player’s best efforts throughout the year. Tonight Wisconsin needed one of its guards to have a highlight night; Penn State transfer Sharif Chambliss stepped up his game for the occasion, scoring 14 points and finishing 4-7 from behind the three-point arc.

In the second half Wisconsin made sure to feed its star forward and current Big Ten player of the week Mike Wilkinson. Their first few possessions went through him, which opened up opportunities from the outside.

Wisconsin took its first lead of the game 47-44 on an Alando Tucker three-point shot. The Badgers did not let up after that and took an eight-point lead, putting the No. 1-ranked team on the ropes.

The lead never whittled, and the Illini displayed typical hard-nose defense down the stretch. Along with defense, Illinois’ rebounding and foul shooting preserved the Illini lead and the undefeated season.

James Augustine played limited first half minutes to come in and do damage in the second half; senior Jack Ingram made consecutive three pointers to tighten the game and consecutive foul shots to take the lead for good.

“Our guards got to the middle and then kicked it back out to me; I was just fortunate enough to knock the shots down,” Ingram said.

While the Illini must now look to Saturday’s 1:30 match up against Minnesota at Assembly Hall, the team is taking some time to enjoy the win.

“This is a great moment,” Weber said. “They’re enjoying it in the locker room. This is the most excited they have been all year.”