In a challenging Big Ten basketball matchup at Mackey Arena, the Purdue Boilermakers established a commanding lead over the Illinois Fighting Illini with a score of 20-4 just eight minutes into the game. Purdue's Braden Smith notably racked up 10 points early in the contest, while Quincy Guerrier and Coleman Hawkins made significant plays for Illinois. Illinois struggled to adapt their offense against Purdue's defensive strategy, which involved positioning Zach Edey against non-shooting Illinois players, hindering Illinois' offensive flow. However, after Edey was charged with two fouls in quick succession, Illinois began to find their rhythm, narrowing the gap to 24-17. The Illini's resurgence was attributed to a 15-4 run coinciding with Edey's absence from the court. The game's intensity was further heightened by a concerning incident involving Purdue's Mason Gillis, who suffered a hard fall and hit his head.
Update: the roof, in fact, did come off Mackey Arena. 🔈 @BoilerBall 📺: FS1/@CBBonFOX https://t.co/WCHo5fD9Nl
Since Edey came out of the game the first time, Illinois is on a 15-4 run
Oh my, Quincy Guerrier. 😳 @quincyguerrier x @IlliniMBB 📺: FS1/@CBBonFox https://t.co/V3SVcVEkma
oh my gosh Zach Edey got called for two fouls in 24 seconds Illinois heating up, within 24-17 https://t.co/XYbW6puzXp
Utterly ridiculous feed. Illinois is alive and chip, chip, chipping away. https://t.co/PXiYyilfqF
The Coleman Hawkins pass. Sees over the defense. Right on the money. https://t.co/wF4k845OTR
Edey has two fouls. Illinois starting to cook on offense. Getting interesting at West Lafayette
Putting Zach Edey on the guys that can’t shoot for Illinois has completely eliminated Illinois’ new-age booty ball offense. The Marcus Domask middies are much more difficult to get tonight.
Eight minutes in the game, and Braden Smith is still leading Illinois 10-4. And he's not even on the floor. Purdue up 20-4 and is just 7-18 from field. This isn't, "Oh, well, they're hot." This is: OH MY GOSH THEY'RE GOOD
Illini can't figure out how to probe this defense, can't keep the Boilers off the boards, can't stop this negative momentum and can't quiet this crowd. Other than that, they're fine, right? Purdue up 20-4 eight minutes in at Mackey.
Scary scary fall for @BoilerBall Mason Gillis. Whacked his head hard. Hope he's ok
Illinois looks awful early. Purdue up, 20-4, with 11:57 left in first half.
Braden Smith has 10 on the board already for @BoilerBall, and we're only seven minutes in. 🤯 📺: FS1/@CBBonFOX https://t.co/OI0xXS7o0K