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Brad underwood was so unhappy with his team’s performance in the first half on Saturday that he replaced his son, walk-on Tyler underwood, for preseason All-American custody Come on, Dosunmu with one minute before halftime. His message was heard loud and clear
After leading Northwestern 43-28 at halftime, No.12 Illinois blitzed Northwestern with a surprisingly dominant 53-13 second-half advantage in the second half to clinch an incredibly impressive 81-56 victory over the Wildcats.
Illinois (9-3, 5-1 Big Ten) had their best Big Ten start since 2004-05 and won four straight games. The Illini’s also won five straight wins over Northwestern at Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston.
Northwestern (6-4, 3-3 Big Ten) has lost three in a row. The Wildcats shot 16 for 31 in the first half, including 5 for 13 of three with just four turnovers. But the Illini shut down Northwestern in the final 20 minutes as the Wildcats shot just 2 for 24 with nine second-half turnovers. Robbie beran (11 points) was the only Northwestern player with double-digit points.
Meanwhile, Illinois (which shot 34.8% in the first half) shot 59.4% in the second half, including 8 in 14 of three.
Kofi Cockburn (18 points, 12 rebounds, two blocks) led Illinois with their eighth double-double of the season, while Come on, Dosunmu added 15 points, six assists and five rebounds. Trent Frazier (14 points, 3-8 three), Adam miller (14 points, 4-11 three) and Give ‘Monte Williams (6 points, 2-4 three) added firepower beyond the arc.
Illinois took a 12-6 lead in the first five minutes, but Northwestern dominated the final 15 minutes of the first half, edging Illinois 37-16 during that time, including a 12- run. 1 to complete the half. But Underwood’s halftime message – whatever it was and no matter how many profanities were uttered – gave them the fire they needed, and more.
What this means: The half-and-half inconsistency remains a concern for this team and could prevent them from achieving their lofty goals. But the Illini continue to show that they can be as good as anyone in the country in spurts. If Underwood can unlock consistency, be careful. This Illinois team has the highest expectations since 2004-05 and so far are poised to have the best start in the Big Ten since Dee, Deron, Luther and company went 15- 0 in conference before getting angry in their regular season finale at Ohio. State. Illinois continue to rack up victories during a favorable period of their schedule and notched their second straight Big Ten Road victory, key for any team to fight for a conference crown. The Illini’s play three of their next four at home (Maryland, Ohio State and Penn State) with their only road game during that streak in Nebraska, which is winless in the Big Ten game. Illinois has a chance to quickly secede from most of the Big Ten.
Game Star: Cockburn had just five points and two rebounds in 12 minutes of the first half and didn’t look like he was cranking his engine in top gear. But the big man was a monster truck in the second half, dominating at the post with 13 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks in the second half. Cockburn plays as a first team All-Big Ten player and potentially an All-American.
Game stat: Northwestern shot 2-for-24 in the second half. Two scored from the field in the second half. Illinois made the comeback because they played elite defense and got saves on stops.
Tonight @IlliniMBB trailed by 15 at the half against Northwestern but won by 25.
They are the only Division I team in the past 25 seasons to have followed more than 15 points at halftime, but to win by 20 or more.
– Statistics by STATS (@StatsBySTATS) January 8, 2021
Do not forget: Jacob Grandison provided great energy at the start of the second half in long minutes after Da ‘Monte Williams left with an apparent ankle injury. After obtaining a DNP in favor of Coleman hawkins Against Purdue, Grandison had three points, two rebounds, two assists and two second-half steals to help trigger the Illini.
And after: Illinois hosts Maryland for a Sunday tipoff at 7 p.m. (BTN). After winning a game of the Big Ten Championship last season, the Terrapins (6-6 1-5 Big Ten) are off to their worst start in the Big Ten since joining the league for the 2014-15 season. Maryland are so far 13th in the conference in offensive efficiency and 12th in defensive efficiency, allowing their opponents to shoot 38.8% out of three, the Big Ten’s worst defensive mark. Three players from Maryland are averaging double the numbers: Eric Ayala (14.0 points), Donta Scott (12.9) and Aaron Wiggins (11.9).
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