INDIANAPOLIS – – Ayo Dosunmu is convinced that tournament time needs a sense of urgency. He quickly showed it against Rutgers.
The junior guard scored 14 of its 23 points in the first half as No. 3 Illinois built up a 19-point lead en route to a 90-68 series over the Scarlet Knights in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten. tournament Friday night.
“I just wanted to come out and give everything I had,” Dosunmu said. “Tomorrow is not promised.”
Illinois advanced in part because Dosunmu shot 8 of 11 from the field, 7 of 9 from the line and added six assists and five rebounds. The second-seeded Illinois (21-6) avenged an ordinary loss to Rutgers (15-11) to advance to Saturday’s semifinals against no. 5 Iowa, a 62-57 winner over Wisconsin.
“Offensively, Ayo started us off strong,” Illini coach Brad Underwood said.
This game was a reversal of a 91-88 loss to Rutgers on December 20th. In that game, Illinois was out of control and could not stop the Scarlet Knights from stepping out in a transition and earning trips to the dirty line. This time, Illinois dominated the boards 44-19, including 17-3 in offensive rebounds.
Center Kofi Cockburn threw around his 7-foot, 285-pound frame, and has four emphatic dunks. He finishes with 18 points and 12 rebounds.
“Our guys were called,” Underwood said.
When he failed to hit shots, the Illini forced the action with drift to the edge and failed. Illinois made 21 of 31 free kicks. The seventh seeded Rutgers conceded 16 of 22. Illinois also had a 12-9 lead in the scoring.
“In the post-season, it’s definitely good to start strong,” Dosunmu said. “We could set a tone.”
Rutgers reduced a 19-point deficit to 13 early in the second half, but did not come any closer.
Ron Harper Jr. scored 21 points and Jacob Young 13 for the Scarlet Knights.
Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell still hopes his team will get the chance to continue playing in the NCAA Tournament or NIT.
“I like this team a lot,” Pikiell said. “We do not want to wear our uniform. We can do exciting things. ”
The Illini scored the first nine points. Rutgers closed within four points before Illinois pulled away. Cockburn knocked off the early attempt with a dunk with one hand from an attacking setback for a 45-26 lead in the final minute of the first half.
LARGE PICTURE
Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights were as high as 11th during the regular season, but injuries took a toll. A modestly successful season after 20 wins the previous year was a disappointment without an NCAA tournament. Maybe the NIT will offer the chance to keep playing.
Illinois: The last time the Illini were as high as a second seed was in 2009, when they also had a no. 2 was. A tournament title could legitimize the team as a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. … Sixteen conference wins in the regular season were the most in team history.
FOLLOWING
Rutgers: NIT or season ends.
Illinois: Versus Iowa Saturday in the semifinals of the tournament.
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