A defensive identity is a good way to win basketball games.
An even better way? A defensive identity combined with a great performance from your preseason All-American who was questionable to play before the game tipped off.
Tyler Kolek finished up Tuesday night’s adventures in Champaign with a game high 24 points on 10-for-18 shooting, six rebounds, four assists, and two steals after leaving #4 Marquette’s previous game with a twisted ankle. On the other end of the court, MU held #23 Illinois to just 0.93 points per possession, no two point buckets for the final 11 minutes, and no field goals at all for the final 3:11.