CHAMPAIGN — Illinois spent a week waiting on word about Da’Monte Williams’ injured left knee, hurt when the future Illini guard landed awkwardly trying to finish off chasing down a Bloomington fast break with a block.
The word received Friday wasn’t good. Williams will miss the rest of the 2016-17 season at Peoria Manual with a torn ACL.
“Obviously, I feel bad for the kid because it’s his senior year,” Illinois coach John Groce said. “That’s not necessarily how you envision it being played out. I told him (Friday) night things happen for a reason, and we’ve got to figure out a way to turn it into a positive.