Illini’s hot shooting and board work buries Iowa, 106-94

By Jeff Mayfield

[March 14, 2025]  Indianapolis, IN- The Illinois Fighting Illini used solid shooting plus a relentless attack on the boards leading to a 106-94 win over the Iowa Hawkeyes in the 2nd round of the Big Ten Tournament. The Illini shot 54% from the field and an eye-popping 46% from 3-point land.

Illinois held a slight 4-point lead at halftime and Iowa made a bucket on the first possession of the second half to cut it to a measly two points. Somehow that got the Illini’s attention and woke them up much to the happiness of a very partisan Illini crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse! However, halfway through the second half the Iowa bench took issue with what they felt was a foul discrepancy. That led to head coach Fran McCaffery being assessed with a technical foul. That fired up the coach even more and he quickly picked up a second T and he was done for the evening and so were the Hawks, right? Not so fast my friend. Iowa didn’t quit and soon they cut a 16-point deficit to nine points. But fortunately, the Illini hit a couple of threes and most of their free throws to stave off the pesky Hawkeyes. Here’s the Illini stars of the night:

#1 Kylan Boswell

Kylan may have played his most complete game of the season. He was making shots, snaring rebounds, and he may have been parking cars and making media credentials for all I know. He dominated the Hawks, had them on their heels, and just gave them no breathing room. His line for the night was 24 points including 4 3-pointers, 7 assists, and 3 rebounds.

#2 Tomislav Ivišić

You’ve heard us say it over and over again, but Tomi is quite possibly our most important player. He sets up our outstanding spacing and floor balance. Tonight, he hit two quick threes to get us off to a good start then hit another in crunch time that helped us pull away. His feathery touch is a game breaker and a difference maker. Tomi’s double double stats for the game were-19 points, 10 rebounds, 1 block, and 6 assists.

#3a Will Riley

We will really miss this kid next year. Tonight, he was one of the guys who got us jump-started. He closed out his performance with 21 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists. I guess he really enjoyed being named the Big Ten’s 6th Man of the Year!

#3b Tre White

All he did was can 22 points making great cuts to the basket, thunderous dunks, and threes from the corner. He also contributed 5 rebounds and 1 assist to the cause.

Kasparas Jakucionis also pitched in with 10 points for the game.

This second round victory advances the Illini into the quarterfinals against the always tough Maryland Terps. AND hopefully tonight’s win moves Illinois up another seed line in the upcoming NCAA tourney. (We have some family and friends with medical situations and bereavement matters that may limit our coverage, but you haven’t heard the last from me). It was a great day in Indy- good night from Indiana!

[By JEFF MAYFIELD]

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