Illini Bury the Gophers
By Jeff Mayfield

[March 10, 2016]  Indianapolis, IN-Michael Finke just wanted an early shot to go through the net. According to him and his teammates, though he’s been mired in a shooting slump, he never stopped connecting in practice. And if practice makes perfect Finke’s career-high 5 3-pointers and 17 points came at a pretty good time leading Illinois to a 85-52 thrashing of Minnesota. Illinois moves it’s name to the next line which the players said was the goal today in the post-game press conference.

Kendrick Nunn tallied 15 points, Malcolm Hill added 14 points and 6 rebounds, and Jalen Coleman-Lands tossed in 13 points for the Illini. Maverick Morgan also had another solid game as he finished with 9 points and 4 rebounds. Illinois shot an amazing 55% from the field and made an incredible 14 of 26 baskets from 3-point range. What was more fantastic than that is that the Illini out-rebounded the Golden Gophers 35-26!

The Illini got off to a strong start and extended the lead to take a 38-22 advantage into intermission. What was exciting to see was the focus and intensity the  Illini demonstrated by putting together a solid second half to match the first. The Illini recorded 19 assists on their 32 made field goals. They also forced Minny into 15 turnovers while making only 9 themselves.

With the victory Illinois moves on tomorrow to face a very tough Iowa Hawkeye squad that earlier this season was ranked in the top ten in the country.

[By JEFF MAYFIELD]

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