CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Brad Underwood said the Illini need to treat the Big Ten like a pizza hut parking lot.
After jumping ahead early in the fight, No 15. Illinois fell to down 16 in the second half. The Illini answered with punches, but it was not enough to complete the comeback against No. 22 Ohio State. The Buckeyes topped the Illini 86-83 at State Farm Center.
The last time these two teams played was on selection Sunday last year when Illinois topped the Buckeyes to win its first Big Ten Tournament Championship since 2005. That game was a high-scoring, physical contest — Thursday night was no different, except the Buckeyes came out on top.