CHAMPAIGN — A full complement of Marching Illini filled the south bleachers at Huff Hall, producing enough sound to make players on Nebraska's bench put fingers in their ears in an attempt to block out the thundering noise.
The Spike Squad section was packed —and loud — per usual. And a 2,911-strong crowd came alive for big Illinois play after big Illinois play.
The Illini weren't lacking for home-court advantage on "IlliNOISE Night" Wednesday night at Huff.
But Nebraska was able to play the silencer. Illinois' big moments didn't come consistently enough, and a veteran Cornhuskers team — the unanimous No.