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player ready...No. 20 Illinois locked up a share of the Big Ten regular-season title as Kofi Cockburn had 21 points and 14 rebounds to lead a 74-72 win over No. 24 Iowa on Sunday night at the State Farm Center.
The Illini’s hopes for a conference crown were kept alive when Nebraska upset No. 10 Wisconsin earlier Sunday. They didn’t let the opportunity go to waste, claiming at least a share of the Big Ten championship for the first time since winning it in 2004 and ’05.
“Five years ago, I was wondering if we’d ever get out of the Wednesday game (of the Big Ten Tournament),” Illinois coach Brad Underwood said. “We weren’t even close. For Trent (Frazier) and Da’Monte (Williams) to go out this way, this is why I do this.”
Illinois (22-8, 15-5) erased a 15-point first-half deficit, with Alfonso Plummer leading the charge back en route to 15 points. Coleman Hawkins added nine points and 11 rebounds.
Iowa (22-9, 12-8) missed five of its first six shots but eventually went on a 13-0 scoring run. The burst started with Kris Murray’s 3-pointer, the first of nine straight made shots for the Hawkeyes. Peyton Sandfort hit a 3 and another jumper on the next possession before Tony Perkins’ layup put Iowa ahead 32-19.
Plummer revived Illinois’ offense with back-to-back 3s, and the Illini closed the half on a 9-0 run as Plummer drove and scored with 4 seconds left to make it a 43-37 deficit.
Hawkins hit a 3 to put the Illini in front 65-63 with 7:03 to go, and they didn’t trail again.
“(Illinois) has got some guys who are competitors that are really good players on really good teams,” Iowa coach Fran McCaffery said. “Very impressed with the job that Brad has done with his crew, not only this year but over the years since he got here.”
Keegan Murray had 22 points and 11 rebounds for the Hawkeyes, while Perkins had 17 points and 12 boards. Kris Murray added 13 points.
Andre Curbelo had 14 points and six assists off the bench for Illinois.
Reflecting on his career at Illinois, fifth-year senior Frazier was grateful he stuck it out with the program after two losing seasons as an underclassman.
“To win games and championships, your culture has to be set,” Frazier said. “It wasn’t set yet (when we arrived). We were still rebuilding and trying to figure things out, but as time went on, we continued to get culture guys, better players and guys who bought in to what Coach Underwood wanted.
“Sticking with it through the ups and downs made it worth it.”
Big picture
Iowa: Despite missing out on a double bye in the Big Ten Tournament, the Hawkeyes are one of the hottest teams in the country, winning nine of their last 11 games. With the Murray brothers clicking and scoring support from the likes of Perkins and Sandfort, Iowa is a daunting defensive assignment for any team.
Illinois: No one will enter the Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis feeling as good as the Illini, who have won three in a row and will take the No. 1 seed after holding the tiebreaker over Wisconsin thanks to an 80-67 win over the Badgers on Feb. 2.
Up next
Iowa: The Hawkeyes open the Big Ten Tournament on Thursday as the No. 5 seed against Northwestern or Nebraska.
Illinois: The Illini open the Big Ten Tournament on Friday as the No. 1 seed with a quarterfinal against Michigan or Indiana.
Big Ten Tournament schedule
At Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis
Wednesday (first round)
Game 1: #12 Northwestern vs. #13 Nebraska, 5 p.m., BTN
Game 2: #11 Penn State vs. #14 Minnesota, 7:30 p.m., BTN
Thursday (second round)
Game 3: #8 Michigan vs. #9 Indiana, 10:30 a.m., BTN
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Game 4: #5 Iowa vs. Game 1 winner, 1 p.m., BTN
Game 5: #7 Michigan State vs. #10 Maryland, 5:30 p.m., BTN
Game 6: #6 Ohio State vs. Game 2 winner, 8 p.m., BTN
Friday (quarterfinals)
Game 7: #1 Illinois vs. Game 3 winner, 10:30 a.m., BTN
Game 8: #4 Rutgers vs. Game 4 winner, 1 p.m., BTN
Game 9: #2 Wisconsin vs. Game 5 winner, 5:30 p.m., BTN
Game 10: #3 Purdue vs. Game 6 winner, 8 p.m., BTN
Saturday (semifinals)
Game 11: Game 7 vs. Game 8 winner, noon, CBS-2
Game 12: Game 9 vs. Game 10 winner, 2:30 p.m., CBS-2
Sunday (championship)
Game 13: Game 11 vs. Game 12 winner, 2:30 p.m., CBS-2