Illinois Basketball: Illini comeback attempt falls short against Purdue

A 24-point deficit was too much to upset No. 5 Purdue, as the Illinois basketball team dropped the regular season finale, 76-71.

Entering the final day of the Big Ten regular season, the Illini were among seven teams tied for second place in the conference. After a stunning double-overtime win in the home season finale against Michigan on Thursday, Illinois looked to spring a road upset against its neighbors and cap off its league schedule on a high note.

With the Big Ten Tournament looming, the Illini also looked to give themselves a chance at securing another double-bye berth. Unfortunately, Purdue had other ideas, as Illinois rallied from a 24-point second-half deficit but fell short in a 76-71 loss at Mackey Arena on Sunday. The defeat concluded Illinois’ regular season at 20-11 with an 11-9 mark in league play.

Yet again, the game took a 180-degree turn after halftime, as the opening 20 minutes did not bode well for Illinois.

Purdue opened the contest on an 11-0 run before the Illini stormed back to get within one possession. However, the overbearing talent of Brandon Newman and Zach Edey gave the Illini fits and combined for 36 of Purdue’s 47 first-half points.

While Purdue was hot, the Illini were ice-cold in the first half. A 1-of-8 performance from three-point range saw Illinois struggle to find consistency, as Matthew Mayer was held to only five points. This coincided with the Illini’s failure to maintain a paint presence, as they gave up 22 points to their 16. The half ended with Purdue in complete command, as it entered the locker room on an 18-3 run in the last 4:30.

Brad Underwood blamed himself for the Illini’s first-half woes.

"“It’s my fault first half,” Underwood said. “First half is all me. I didn’t have the guys prepared.”"

Prepared or not, Illinois played with a vengeance throughout the entire second half – like a team many believe is destined for a deep March Madness run. The Boilermakers, who had already clinched a Big Ten regular season title against Wisconsin on Thursday, nearly unraveled completely.

As has been the case in two of Illinois’ final four regular season games, it rallied in a big way and nearly pulled off one of the most significant road comebacks in school history. In 12 minutes, the Illini outscored the Boilermakers 32-16, good enough to cut the deficit to two points, 65-63, on a layup from Mayer, who finished with a game total of 16 points.

Illinois was within striking distance of Purdue late but missed free throws from Coleman Hawkins and RJ Melendez put the icing on the cake of a potential second half upset.

Hawkins, who finished the game with six assists and saw 29 minutes of action, feels his team is peaking at the right time.

"“We don’t have anything to lose,” Hawkins said.  “People have been moving the cameras away from us and putting all the attention on everyone else. I think this team is made for March. I think we’re going to surprise a lot of people.”"

Illinois basketball will begin Big Ten Tournament play Thursday

The Illini will look to make good on their newfound confidence when they begin Big Ten Tournament action on Thursday in Chicago, Illinois.

Because of Indiana’s 75-73 overtime win against Michigan later in the day, the Illini are locked into the No. 7 seed and will face No. 10 seed Penn State. Illinois lost both of its regular season games to the Nittany Lions, including a 93-81 defeat in State College that saw Jalen Pickett score 41 points.

Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. CT on the Big Ten Network. A victory sends Illinois into a trilogy with Northwestern, the No. 2 seed, the following evening.