Busting Brackets
Fansided

Indiana beats Illinois in close showdown to likely lock up an at-large bid

By Jonathan Lurensky

Mar 10, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward Trayce Jackson-Davis (23) celebrates a basket in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 10, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward Trayce Jackson-Davis (23) celebrates a basket in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Indiana defeated the No. 1 Big Ten Tournament seed Illinois to likely clinch a spot in the 2022 NCAA Tournament. Should the Hoosiers have any worries?

The Indiana Hoosiers beat the Illinois Fighting Illini, 65-63. Trayce Jackson Davis scored 21 points on 69 percent shooting. Additionally, Davis had seven rebounds.  Kofi Cockburn scored 23 points on 61 percent shooting. Additionally, Cockburn had 10 rebounds.

To start the game, both teams struggled to shoot from the floor. Illinois did not make a field goal for a long span of this game in the first half. Despite the fact that Indiana struggled to shoot from the floor, the Hoosiers were at least able to make some shots, unlike Illinois. The Hoosiers had a five-point lead until Illinois started to make some shots.

Illinois tied the game with around seven minutes left in the first half. Illinois would take a two-point lead into halftime. The Hoosiers would retake the game and take a five-point lead with 12 minutes left. Illinois came fighting back and made it a tied game with five minutes left. After Coleman Hawkins made a three for Illinois, Indiana would respond and take a three-point lead with 2 minutes left.

Behind Kofi Cockburn’s free throws, Illinois led the game by one when Jackson Davis was able to get fouled and made two free throws for Indiana to retake the lead. On the next possession, Trent Frazier threw the ball out of bounds after a miscommunication on offense. Indiana got fouled but couldn’t make any free throws on the other end.

Andre Curbelo quickly drove the ball down the court. Despite Curbelo getting an open look, he missed the layup. Indiana recovered the ball and won. This was a battle of Big men. In a year where Jackson Davis has been outplayed by other big ten stars, Davis outplayed Cockburn offensively and defensively.

With this victory, the Hoosiers are a lock for an at-large bid in the NCAA tournament. Indiana awaits the winner of Rutgers/Iowa. It is within reason to say that Indiana could beat the winner of Rutgers/Iowa. Additionally, It is within reason to say that Indiana could possibly beat whoever they play in a possible Big Ten Tournament Matchup.

Considering the fact that Purdue and Wisconsin are the best teams on the other side of the bracket, Indiana has a shot to win it all. The Hoosiers beat Purdue in the regular season and had a 22 point lead against Wisconsin. While Indiana has a chance to win the Big Ten Title for the first time in years, it will need to take care of business against the winner of Rutgers/Iowa.

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Despite the loss, Illinois seems to still be a lock for a top seed in the NCAA Tournament. Illinois will need to refocus and get ready for the NCAA Tournament. The Fighting Illini will need to work on their crunchtime offensive before the NCAA Tournament.

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