INDIANAPOLIS — In an exhilarating second-round matchup in the Big Ten Tournament, Kylan Boswell led the charge for the 24th-ranked Fighting Illini, scoring a personal best of 24 points. He was supported by four teammates who also reached double figures, aiding Illinois in their 106-94 victory over Iowa on Thursday night.
Tre White added a robust 22 points, while Tomislav Ivisic made significant contributions with 19 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists. This win marks the fourth consecutive victory for Illinois (21-11), positioning them to face No. 11 Maryland in the quarterfinals in Indianapolis.
Iowa, however, faced a setback when their coach, Fran McCaffery, was ejected with 13:33 remaining for accruing two technical fouls. McCaffery left the coach’s box amid heated disputes with officials. During Iowa’s attempts to regain momentum, guard Payton Sandfort stood out by tying a Big Ten Tournament record with eight 3-pointers, ultimately amassing a career-high 30 points. Josh Dix contributed another 21 points for the team.
At the time of McCaffery’s departure, the 15th-seeded Hawkeyes (17-16) were trailing 69-60. However, Illinois capitalized on the situation by converting four free throws seamlessly, thereby stalling Iowa’s advances as they attempted to reduce the deficit.
Takeaways from the game highlight Iowa’s ability to score effectively but also reveal their struggle to maintain consistency during a fast-paced tempo, especially in consecutive games. Meanwhile, Illinois displayed impressive shooting prowess, hitting nearly 55% of their attempts, showcasing significant improvement since their previous loss to Duke.
The turning point was undeniably McCaffery’s ejection; Iowa struggled to sustain momentum after subsequent free throws, eventually losing pace. A remarkable statistic from the night was Illinois’ efficiency from beyond the arc, where they sank 12 of 26 three-point attempts, counterbalancing Sandfort’s efforts.
Looking ahead, Illinois seeks to build on its current winning streak as they prepare to meet the Maryland Terrapins. For Iowa, the season is likely concluding unless they secure a spot in the NIT, with McCaffery’s future involvement pending until the next season.