CHICAGO — Illinois could have folded when Andres Feliz game-winning layup caromed untouched by Northwestern off the backboard — and only the backboard — at the end of regulation Wednesday night at the United Center. The Wildcats nailing a three-pointer to start overtime and grab the momentum would have been another reason to throw in the towel.
The Illini might have done just that early in the season. Or during their 1-7 start to Big Ten play. Or while losing five of six games to end the regular season.
Except they didn’t Wednesday night in the first round of the Big Ten tournament.