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INDIANAPOLIS – – Ayo Dosunmu is convinced that tournament time requires a sense of urgency. He was quick to demonstrate it against Rutgers.
The junior guard scored 14 of his 23 points in the first half as Illinois No.3 built a 19-point lead on the way to a 90-68 Scarlet Knights rout in the Big Ten quarterfinals. Tournament Friday night.
“I just wanted to go out and give everything I had,” Dosunmu said. “Tomorrow is not promised.”
Illinois advanced in part because Dosunmu shot 8 of 11 from the field, 7 of 9 from the line and added six assists and five rebounds. Second-seeded Illinois (21-6) avenged a regular-season loss to Rutgers (15-11) to advance to Saturday’s semi-finals against Iowa No.5, a winner of 62 -57 against Wisconsin.
“Offensively Ayo gave us a good start,” said Illini coach Brad Underwood.
This game was a reversal of a 91-88 loss to Rutgers on December 20. In that game, Illinois was passed and failed to stop the Scarlet Knights from coming out in transition and winning trips to the foul line. This time, Illinois dominated the boards 44-19, including 17-3 in offensive rebounds.
Center Kofi Cockburn threw around his 7-foot, 285-pound frame and had four emphatic dunks. He finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds.
“Our guys have been called,” Underwood said.
When not hitting punches, the Illini forced the action with drives to the rim and got injured. Illinois made 21 of 31 free throws. Seventh-seeded Rutgers converted 16 of 22. Illinois also had a 12-9 advantage in transition points.
“In the playoffs it’s really good to get off to a good start,” Dosunmu said. “We were able to set the tone.”
Rutgers reduced a 19-point halftime deficit to 13 early in the second period, but didn’t come close.
Ron Harper Jr. scored 21 points and Jacob Young had 13 for the Scarlet Knights.
Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell is still hoping his team will have a chance to continue playing, in the NCAA or NIT tournament.
“I really like this team,” said Pikiell. “We don’t want to put on our uniforms. We can do exciting things. “
The Illini scored the first nine points. Rutgers closed in four points before Illinois retired. Cockburn punctuated the early effort with a one-handed dunk on an offensive rebound for a 45-26 lead in the dying minute of the first half.
BIG PICTURE
Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights were ranked 11th in the regular season, but injuries have taken their toll. A modestly successful season after 20 wins the year before was a disappointment without an NCAA tournament bid. Maybe the NIT will offer a chance to keep playing.
Illinois: The last time the Illini were as high as a second seed was in 2009, when they were also No.2. A tournament title could legitimize the team as a seed # 1 in the NCAA tournament. … Sixteen regular-season conference wins were the biggest in team history.
FOLLOWING
Rutgers: NIT or the season ends.
Illinois: vs. Iowa in the tournament semifinals on Saturday.
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