Illinois’ Big Ten title hopes aren’t dead yet.
The Illini desperately needed a win on Sunday to keep pace with Wisconsin and Purdue atop the Big Ten leaderboard, and the Illini left Ann Arbor, Mich., with its fifth-straight victory over the Wolverines, 93-85.
Purdue was knocked off on Saturday by Michigan State putting the Boilermakers only a half game up over the Illini, and Wisconsin managed to do the improbable — escaping Piscataway with a win over Rutgers, positioning the Badgers in sole possession of first place for the time being. Wisconsin and Purdue still have a head-to-head matchup remaining, meaning Illinois essentially needs to win out and hope the Boilermakers avenge their early-season loss to the Badgers to clinch a share of the title.