INDIANAPOLIS – – Ayo Dosunmu is convinced that the tournament time requires a sense of urgency. He was quick to demonstrate this against Rutgers.
The junior guard scored 14 of his 23 points in the first half while No. 3 Illinois built a 19-point lead on the way to a 90-68 loss to the Scarlet Knights in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals on Friday night. .
“I just wanted to go out and give everything I had,” said Dosunmu. “Tomorrow is not promised.”
Illinois advanced in part because Dosunmu hit 8 of 11 pitches, 7 of 9 from the line and added six assists and five rebounds. Runner-up Illinois (21-6) avenged a regular season loss to Rutgers (15-11) to advance to Saturday’s semifinals against No. 5 Iowa, a 62-57 winner over Wisconsin.
“Offensively, Ayo gave us a strong start,” said Illini coach Brad Underwood.
This game was a reversal of a 91-88 loss to Rutgers on December 20. In that game, Illinois was overcome and failed to prevent the Scarlet Knights from going through the transition and gaining trips to the foul line. This time, Illinois dominated the exchanges by 44-19, including 17-3 in offensive rebounds.
The Kofi Cockburn center hurled around his 7-foot, 285-pound body and had four emphatic dunks. He finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds.
“Our people have been called,” said Underwood.
When it was not hitting the shots, Illini forced the action with drives to the edge and being soiled. Illinois hit 21 out of 31 free throws. Seventh-placed Rutgers converted 16 out of 22. Illinois also had a 12-9 lead in the transition score.
“In the postseason, it is definitely good to start with strength,” said Dosunmu. “We were able to set a tone.”
Rutgers reduced the deficit from 19 points in the interval to 13 at the start of the second half, but did not come close.
Ron Harper Jr. scored 21 points and Jacob Young had 13 for the Scarlet Knights.
Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell is still hopeful that his team will have a chance to continue playing in the NCAA or NIT tournament.
“I really like this team,” said Pikiell. “We don’t want to put on our uniforms. We can do exciting things. “
Illini scored the first nine points. Rutgers closed on four points before Illinois retreated. Cockburn scored the initial effort with a one-handed dunk in an offensive rebound to a 45-26 lead in the final minute of the first half.
BIG PICTURE
Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights reached 11th place in the regular season, but injuries took their toll. A season of modest success after 20 wins the previous year was a disappointment without an NCAA tournament offer. Perhaps the NIT will provide a chance to continue playing.
Illinois: The last time the Illini were as tall as a second seed was in 2009, when they were also in second place. A tournament title could legitimize the team as a number one seed in the NCAA tournament. … Sixteen conference season wins were the biggest in the team’s history.
NEXT
Rutgers: NIT or season ends.
Illinois: Versus Iowa in the semifinals of the tournament on Saturday.
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