Illinois’ Kylan Boswell (fractured hand) out until February

Illinois starting guard Kylan Boswell sustained a bone fracture in his right hand during practice on Monday, coach Brad Underwood told reporters Tuesday.

Per Underwood, Boswell is expected to return to the lineup in mid-February.

It's a big blow for the No. 11 Fighting Illini (15-3, 6-1 Big Ten), who are on a seven-game winning streak and are one game back of Purdue and Nebraska in conference play.

Boswell has averaged 14.3 points per game, 4.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists while shooting 47.5 percent from the floor.

After playing his first two seasons at Arizona, he transferred to Illinois and started 52 of the 53 games in which he has appeared.

"It's really hard to replace him because he's our most important player," freshman forward David Mirkovic said Tuesday. "We're going to give our best."

Boswell is touted as the Fighting Illini's best perimeter defender and an anchor on the defensive side of the ball.

Underwood said Boswell is in a splint but didn't mention surgery.