Player of the game
Illinois guard Malcolm Hill
The 6-foot-6 senior didn’t quite hit the more points scored than minutes played mark like he did in his 40-point effort, but 25 points in 28 minutes — plus six rebounds — isn’t a bad consolation.
Backcourt
Detroit Mercy: C
Illinois: A-
Hard to argue with two point guards posting double-digit scoring efforts — and six assists from Jaylon Tate — plus Hill’s game-high 25 points. The only ding? Fifteen turnovers, which is just over what John Groce would ever want as the max.