In a thrilling Big Ten Tournament semifinal, Illinois mounted a remarkable comeback to secure a victory over Nebraska, 85-74, overcoming a significant halftime deficit. Illinois, which had trailed by as many as 15 points in the second half, rallied behind the standout performance of Terrence Shannon Jr., who scored 36 points. The game saw Illinois fighting back from a 55-40 disadvantage early in the second half, eventually taking the lead and maintaining their momentum. Nebraska, despite a strong start and leading 51-40 at halftime, struggled in the second half, particularly with foul trouble affecting key players. The win propels Illinois into the final of the Big Ten Tournament, setting up a highly anticipated matchup, after their earlier victory over Ohio State, 77-74, and Nebraska's win against Indiana, 93-66.
2H, 2:47 | It's been alllllll Illinois lately and Nebraska can't buy a bucket right now. Nebraska has missed their last four shots and has only made one of its last nine. Haven't scored at all in 2:32. Illinois 85, Nebraska 74
He is COLD! π₯Ά @Sn1per_T x @IlliniMBB https://t.co/DFGhlkOAnM
"Shannon connects from the corner." π₯ He's up to 36 for @IlliniMBB. https://t.co/uF41y8yxD1
This is quite the second half eruption from Illinois. I'd call it the Terrence Shannon Game but every time Illinois plays it's the Terrence Shannon Game.
Coleman Hawkins has some range. πΉ #B1GMBBT x @IlliniMBB πΊ: CBS https://t.co/FJDdRjHzvW
COLEMAN HAWKINS FROM DEEP π @IlliniMBB https://t.co/pXZFJMihhF
Illinois was down 55-40 early in the second half, but #Huskers were outscored 37-18 since then.
The bank STAYS open at the Big Ten tournament! π π₯ CBS | @IlliniMBB https://t.co/9wgksyWrHS
Hawkins with the easy bucket and @IlliniMBB leads by 3. https://t.co/1vhxdwstS7
2H, 7:49 | Illinois hadn't led since the 16:00 mark of the first half and trailed by as many as 15 points this half. No matter. Illini back on top after a dominant second half thus far. They've made five of their last six shots. Illinois 73, Nebraska 70
.@IlliniMBB has its first lead since 10-8. https://t.co/sPzPrOcXIw
8-2 run for Illinois, which is getting perimeter shooting from Luke Goode, a 39% 3-point shooter. Illinois leads Nebraska 73-70 with 7:39 left.
OH GOODE!! OFF THE WINDOW FOR THE LEAD π @IlliniMBB x @bigten https://t.co/2CfST5kZ6g
.@IlliniMBB TIES IT UP AT 68βΌοΈ https://t.co/W2OIKGgn2a
OH GOODE! All tied up! π― π₯ @lukegoode10 x @IlliniMBB https://t.co/ss7QPSGhKI
Luke Goode three-pointer caps Illini's full comeback. Game is now tied with nine minutes to play. Get thee to CBS.
Terrence Shannon Jr has 33 of Illinois' 63 points. https://t.co/CY9EhxWmOj
Not sure how high Terrence Shannon Jr. will be drafted this year after his college career is over. But easy to see his game transitioning well to the NBA. We'll see him in this arena against #Wolves soon enough. He's got 33 pts today. Keeping #Illini close to #Huskers
2H, 10:15 | Nebraska 66, Illinois 62 Terrence Shannon Jr. has THIRTY-TWO points. Ten of those have come from the line. And he's back to the line after the TO.
Nebraska 66, Illinois 62. This thing is going back and forth at a wild pace. Hold on to your butts.
Huskers get by with the BUCKET! π @HuskerMBB https://t.co/Kt1KMoA1KA
What a shot! π€© @Sn1per_T x @IlliniMBB https://t.co/76HC3TUwOw
2H, 13:27 | Foul trouble is a MASSIVE problem for Nebraska. Juwan Gary with 4 Sam Hoiberg with 3 Rienk Mast with 3 Josiah Allick with 2 Only one Illinois player has more than two β Quincy Guerrier with 3.
2H, 15:23 | Nebraska 57, Illinois 47 Not a hot start for Nebraska here, as the Huskers have missed their last five shots and have only made one of their last seven. Still leading by 10.
The Huskers are heating up! β¨οΈ #B1GMBBT x @HuskerMBB https://t.co/5xqbPCMcS6
Early timeout from Illinois after Nebraska starts the second half with strong energy plays. Huskers lead 55-40 with 18:37 left.
Half: Nebraska 51, Illinois 40 NU led 31-27 with 6:16 left, but end the half on a 20-13 run. Mast with 13 points in 10 minutes due to foul trouble. Brice Williams with 11 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists. Jamarques Lawrence with 9 points off the bench.
Half: Nebraska 51, Illinois 40 NU lead 31-27 with 6:16 left, but end the half on a 20-13 run. Mast with 13 points in 10 minutes due to foul trouble. Brice Williams with 11 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists. Jamarques Lawrence with 9 points off the bench.
Final: Nebraska 93, Indiana 66 What a beatdown. The #Huskers are headed to the Big Ten Tournament semifinals, where they'll meet Brad Underwood's Illinois Fighting Illini tomorrow at 2:30 p.m.
THREES WITH EASE. π₯π₯π₯ 17-0 RUN FOR THE HUSKERS IN THE LAST 3 MINUTES. @HuskerMBB x @B1GMBBall x @KeiseiTominaga https://t.co/KL9j5mUlJG
KEISEI TOMINAGA π WHAT AN END TO THE HALF βΌοΈβΌοΈ #B1GMBBT x @HuskerMBB https://t.co/WQwcpb9daf
KEISEI TOMIN-AGAIN π¨βΌοΈ Back to back threes for @KeiseiTominaga @HuskerMBB x @B1GMBBall https://t.co/TOhPTXlwlb
Cornhuskers popping off πΏπ½ @HuskerMBB x @KeiseiTominaga https://t.co/n7FavZFmSi
Illinois comes back to beat Ohio State and secure a spot in the semifinals. πΆπ· #B1GMBBT x @IlliniMBB https://t.co/rxJzbAYV09
Illinois completes the comes back! The @IlliniMBB advance to the Big Ten Semifinals tomorrow π https://t.co/BRd7IxdWnu
FINAL | Illinois survives against Ohio State, 77-74. The Illini will play the winner of Nebraska/Indiana in the semifinals tomorrow.