INDIANAPOLIS - Leading through the entire game, the Illinois Fighting Illini avenged last Sunday's loss to the Wisconsin Badgers by knocking them out of the Big Ten Tournament, 58-54 Friday in Indianapolis.
Although a win wouldn't guarantee the Illini a berth in the NCAA Field of 65, a loss would all but leave them out.
Illinois came out with an edge, but Wisconsin's struggles from the field were also much of the reason the Illini jumped to a 7-0 lead and a 29-18 advantage with two minutes remaining in the half. Illinois was held scoreless the final two minutes, but Wisconsin could only muster a pair of free throws themselves.
The Badgers struggles continued. They went scoreless through the first four and a half minutes of the second half. Illinois built a 34-20 lead with 15:58 remaining and led 41-26 with 11:10 to go.
A D.J. Richardson three pointer gave the Illini their largest lead, 46-30, with 6:31. But the Illini would still have to sweat out the narrow victory.
Trevon Hughes connected on a few huge three point attempts and the Badgers were making a timely comeback. A Hughes trey cut the Badger deficit to 54-51 with 38.1 seconds to go.
Wisconsin had a shot to tie the game at the end, but a three pointer fell short with less than 10 seconds on the clock.
Mike Tisdale led Illinois with 19 points.
The Illini were eliminated in the Big Ten semifinals the following day, losing to top seeded Ohio State in double overtime.
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