Illini use carry-over from NU victory for fast start at Indiana
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Illinois didn't just sneak out of Northwestern on Thursday with a last-second win.
The 22nd-ranked Illini also rode out of Evanston with a lasting lesson.
"We kind of took that energy from the last five minutes of the game at Northwestern," said Illinois senior guard Chester Frazier, "and just brought it here in the first half."
The Illini nailed their first 5 shots, built a 21-point lead before halftime, and then parried Indiana's second-half run to wrap up a 65-52 Big Ten victory at IU's sold-out Assembly Hall.
The Hoosiers have played comparatively well in their gym, but Illinois never let them hold a lead for just the second time at home this season while handing Indiana its largest home defeat.
Sophomore forward Mike Davis (16 points, 10 rebounds) produced his third double-double in four games, and sophomore center Mike Tisdale added 16 points and 6 rebounds against undersized Indiana (6-18, 1-11).
Now the Illini (21-5, 9-4), who hold second place alone in the Big Ten, get three home games in the next two weeks.
"I've thought they've been ranked too low, in the sense of not really getting the respect nationally that they deserve," Indiana coach Tom Crean said.
"I love Davis. He plays with an edge. And that's what you need when you're his size. Tisdale plays with an edge."
And they played well over the Hoosiers' heads for most of the day.
During the first half, which ended with Illinois leading 38-21, the Illini blocked 7 shots while allowing just 6 field goals.
Meanwhile, Illinois moved the ball so well against Indiana's variety of defenses that it earned assists on its first 8 baskets and shot 63 percent for the half.
"I've challenged our guys to have a sense of urgency at the start of games, especially on the road," Illinois coach Bruce Weber said. "I couldn't be more pleased with the first half. Guarded people. Moved the basketball.
"We keep reminding them how did we get here, and it's by playing hard. We had 28 (points) on our Play Hard chart, which I think is a halftime record for us this year."
Then came the second half, when the Illini gave away some turnovers and looked sluggish against a junk defense (the Hoosiers didn't guard Frazier and one of the big men outside) and Indiana couldn't miss at the other end.
The Hoosiers pulled within 54-48 on Malik Story's driving layup with 6:28 to go, then had a chance to get closer. But Champaign native Verdell Jones III missed an open 3-pointer.
That's when Frazier - who finished with 9 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 steals - stepped up without anyone in his face and drilled a 23-footer with three on the shot clock to stem the tide.
The Hoosiers never got closer than 8 points again as they managed just 1 basket and 2 free throws over the final 6:28.
"I told them I didn't care if we win by 1 or 2, I just wanted to win," Weber said. "We found a way to win a road game and we keep hanging in there and moving forward with a positive energy.
"I hope."