One doesn’t simply go into Pinnacle Bank Arena and get a win easily. For the second straight year, last-place Nebraska gave a ranked Illinois team all it could handle, but the Illini once again found a way to squeak out of Lincoln with a win.
No. 25 Illinois was down by 12 points within the first five minutes and trailed the Cornhuskers (6-11, 0-6 Big Ten) at halftime. Illinois made just 3 of its first 13 threes and 1 of its first 7 free throws. But the Illini (12-3, 5-0 Big Ten) still found a way to grind out and close out a Big Ten road win, 81-71, with a strong finish from its seniors and its bench. Illinois is now 5-0 in Big Ten play for the first time since the 2004-05 season.
Trent Frazier came up huge for Illinois with a game-high 29 points (9-for-18 shooting) and a team-high five assists and team-high four steals. Frazier had 20 points in the second half on 5-for-8 shooting.
All-American center Kofi Cockburn struggled, especially defensively, but still picked up his eighth consecutive double-double with 16 points (8-for-18 FG, 0-5 FT) and 13 rebounds though he sat the final four minutes. Jacob Grandison also had 12 points and four assists.
The Illini also got huge boosts off the bench from Omar Payne (season-high points, 5 rebounds, 4 blocks) and Coleman Hawkins (4 points, 8 rebounds).
Bryce McGowens led Nebraska with 19 points, while Alonzo Verge added 14 points and 9 assists and Derrick Walker had 14 points and 7 rebounds.
Nebraska came out firing and made its first four 3-pointers, including two by Tominaga, to take a surprising 16-4 lead just four minutes into the game. But the Illini defense locked in to key a 27-7 run — during which Nebraska made 2 of 16 shots — to take a 31-23 lead. But Nebraska went on an 11-0 run to end the half, taking advantage of five Illini turnovers during the final five minutes of the half, to take a 34-31 halftime lead.
The teams traded blows before Illini bench helped the Illini close out a win. Payne and Hawkins score a combined six points during an 8-1 run to take a 51-47 lead midway through the second half.
When Cockburn went to the bench with four fouls at the final media timeout, Payne and Hawkins scored six points to key a 12-2 run. Payne also had two rebounds and a block in the final four minutes, and Hawkins had five rebounds in the final four minutes. Illinois finished the game with its largest lead.
What it means: Illinois didn’t have an inspiring showing on Tuesday but ultimately took care of business during a very favorable first quarter to the Big Ten schedule, which included four teams currently in the bottom-five of the conference standings. But the Illini have picked up three significant road wins and avoided disappointments — unlike Purdue and Michigan — to set themselves up well heading into a much tougher portion of the schedule. Just win, baby. Illinois, along with Michigan State (which also had a favorable early schedule), are setting the pace. Now, come the toughest tests yet.
Star of the game: Super seniors die hard. With Illinois struggling to make threes and Cockburn inefficient on the interior, Trent Frazier gave Illinois a much-needed playmaker off the bounce and two key 3-pointers late in the game, a big-time alley-oop pass to Payne, a key assist to Da’Monte Williams for three and made four free throws in the final minute to seal the victory. Williams and Grandison made huge 3-pointers in the final five minutes.
Stats of the game: Illinois made just one of its first seven free throws, and Cockburn missed all five. Illinois outscored Nebraska 44-34 in the paint. During the last two games, Illinois has made just 15 of 49 from three (30.6%), but the Illini (7-19 from three) made four of their final five from three.
Don’t overlook: Brad Underwood said this was his deepest team, yet he has really ridden a six- or seven-man rotation recently. But the Illini finally flexed their depth with huge contributions from Hawkins and Payne off the bench. With Cockburn and Alonso Plummer struggling (4-for-12) and on the bench in the final minutes, the Illini were still able to close out a game that was in doubt until the final two minutes. Few teams can survive those kind of struggles from their stars, no matter the opponent. The Illini found a way.
What’s next: Illinois is scheduled on Friday to host Michigan, which has postponed its two previous games due to COVID-19 issues inside the program. But a Michigan team spokesperson told Michigan Insider that the Wolverines are ‘expecting to play’ in Champaign after not having enough players to compete against Michigan State and Purdue on Saturday and Tuesday, respectively. Michigan (7-6, 1-2) began the season No. 6 in the preseason AP Top 25 but is 1-6 to start the season against top-100 KenPom teams. Hunter Dickinson leads the Wolverines with 16.1 points and 8.8 rebounds, while senior Eli Brooks (12.9 points) is the only other Michigan player averaging double-digit scoring.
