INDIANAPOLIS — Defense?
Says who?
Illinois began an attempt to defend last season’s Big Ten tournament title Thursday against Iowa in a second-round game. But if anyone was looking for defense — the type that involves hands, feet, hustle and effort — there was none whatsoever to be found in the seventh-seeded Illini’s 106-94 win over the 15th-seeded Hawkeyes.
Were all those points a red flag for the Illini (21-11), who get rugged No. 2 seed Maryland next (5:30 p.m. Friday, BTN)? It could be. The Terrapins — who won by 21 in Champaign during the regular season — don’t mess around.
Then again, this wasn’t the first time a game against Fran McCaffery’s Hawkeyes turned into run-and-gun at the neighborhood Y. Not that the embattled McCafferty was around to see how things concluded after he picked up two technicals and was ejected with 13:33 to go. Kasparas Jakucionis sank all four free throws — thanks, Fran — for a 73-60 advantage.
A 17-16 record wasn’t what fans wanted out of McCaffery in season No. 15 for a coach who hasn’t guided a Hawkeyes team beyond the second round of the NCAA Tournament. There will be no Big Dance this time. Is McCaffery in danger of losing his gig?
The Illini topped 100 points on a dunk by Tre White with 1:56 to go. Kylan Boswell scored 24, White 22, Will Riley 21 and Tomislav Ivisic 19 for the Illini, who put up NBA numbers at the home arena of the Pacers. Ivisic, Riley and Boswell also combined for 20 rebounds and 18 assists. Lottery-pick-to-be Jakucionis was very much off, though, committing six turnover and handing out zero assists. He’ll have to respond against the Terps.
Both teams shot better than 50% from the field, with the Illini, who often struggle from the arc, making 12 of 26 three-point attempts. Payton Sandfort went off for 30 points for the losers.
Illinois has won four straight against Iowa and nine of the last 10 head-to-head.