Rutgers defeated No. 3 Illinois 91-88 on Dec. 20. Nearly three months later, the Illini were able to get their revenge.
The Scarlet Knights ran into one of the hottest teams in the nation and were dominated from the opening tip. Illinois advanced to the semi-final round of the Big Ten Tournament with a 90-68 win over Rutgers.
Illinois put on an absolute clinic rebounding the basketball against the Scarlet Knights. They outrebounded Rutgers 44-19 in the game and 17-3 on the offensive glass. Kofi Cockburn got comfortable early and finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds.