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Iowa eliminated from Big Ten Tournament after defensive woes return vs. Illinois

Illinois guard Kasparas Jakucionis (32) is fouled by Iowa forward Even Brauns (0) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the second round of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Thursday, March 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Michael Conroy
Illinois guard Kasparas Jakucionis (32) is fouled by Iowa forward Even Brauns (0) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the second round of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Thursday, March 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
SOURCE: Michael Conroy
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Iowa eliminated from Big Ten Tournament after defensive woes return vs. Illinois
Kylan Boswell scored a career-high 24 points and four other Illinois players finished in double digits as the 24th-ranked Fighting Illini beat 15th-seeded Iowa 106-94 in a wild second-round Big Ten Tournament game on Thursday night.Tre White had 22 points and Tomislav Ivisic added 19 points, 10 rebounds and six assists as Illinois (21-11) won its fourth straight. The Illini face No. 11 Maryland in Friday's third quarterfinal game in Indianapolis.Hawkeyes coach Fran McCaffery wasn't on the bench when Iowa guard Payton Sandfort tied the league's single-game tourney record for 3-pointers. McCaffery was ejected with 13:33 left to play after drawing two technical fouls when he left the coach's box to argue with the refs.Sandfort made eight 3s, matching a mark done twice previously, to tie a career high with 30 points. Josh Dix added 21 points.The Hawkeyes (17-16) trailed 69-60 when McCaffery left. But Illinois made all four free throws and fended off a brief momentum swing as Iowa cut the deficit to single digits.TakeawaysIowa: The Hawkeyes certainly can score. But in their second game in two nights, the up-tempo pace eventually took its toll and eventually wore them down.Illinois: The Fighting Illini put on quite a shooting clinic, making nearly 55% of their shots. They've certainly been on a roll since losing to Duke.Key momentMcCaffery's ejection. Iowa did manage to gain some momentum after the free throws, but it dissipated fast and the team never recovered after falling into another double-digit deficit.Key statYes, Sandfort had the big game, but Illinois offset it by making 12 of 26 3s.Up nextIllinois will try to extend its winning streak against the Terrapins. Iowa is likely headed either to the NIT or has seen the last of McCaffery until next season.» Subscribe to vlog's YouTube page» Download the free vlog app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play

Kylan Boswell scored a career-high 24 points and four other Illinois players finished in double digits as the 24th-ranked Fighting Illini beat 15th-seeded Iowa 106-94 in a wild second-round Big Ten Tournament game on Thursday night.

Tre White had 22 points and Tomislav Ivisic added 19 points, 10 rebounds and six assists as Illinois (21-11) won its fourth straight. The Illini face No. 11 Maryland in Friday's third quarterfinal game in Indianapolis.

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Hawkeyes coach Fran McCaffery wasn't on the bench when Iowa guard Payton Sandfort tied the league's single-game tourney record for 3-pointers. McCaffery was ejected with 13:33 left to play after drawing two technical fouls when he left the coach's box to argue with the refs.

Sandfort made eight 3s, matching a mark done twice previously, to tie a career high with 30 points. Josh Dix added 21 points.

The Hawkeyes (17-16) trailed 69-60 when McCaffery left. But Illinois made all four free throws and fended off a brief momentum swing as Iowa cut the deficit to single digits.

Takeaways

Iowa: The Hawkeyes certainly can score. But in their second game in two nights, the up-tempo pace eventually took its toll and eventually wore them down.

Illinois: The Fighting Illini put on quite a shooting clinic, making nearly 55% of their shots. They've certainly been on a roll since losing to Duke.

Key moment

McCaffery's ejection. Iowa did manage to gain some momentum after the free throws, but it dissipated fast and the team never recovered after falling into another double-digit deficit.

Iowa head coach Fran McCaffery, back left, waits to see if he was ejected against Illinois during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the second round of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Thursday, March 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Michael Conroy
Iowa head coach Fran McCaffery, back left, waits to see if he was ejected against Illinois during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the second round of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Thursday, March 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Key stat

Yes, Sandfort had the big game, but Illinois offset it by making 12 of 26 3s.

Up next

Illinois will try to extend its winning streak against the Terrapins. Iowa is likely headed either to the NIT or has seen the last of McCaffery until next season.

»

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