College Basketball Rankings Purdue Edges Illinois In Double ...
The Purdue Boilermakers (16-8, 9-6 Big Ten) have edged out the Illinois Fighting Illini (16-7, 12-5 Big Ten) in a double-overtime thriller, 93-86. The two teams are both ranked in the top 25 in college basketball rankings, with Illinois holding the 4th spot and Purdue sitting at 24th.
Purdue's Strong Start
The Boilermakers came out strong in the first half, building up a 27-12 lead with just over eight minutes to play in the half. However, Illinois cut the lead to 38-32 heading into halftime.
Purdue's strong start was led by Sasha Stefanovic, who hit three early 3-pointers to help the Boilermakers build their lead. Trevion Williams also had a strong first half with 11 points and 4 rebounds.
Illinois' Comeback
The Fighting Illini came out firing in the second half, quickly cutting into Purdue's lead. By the midway point of the half, Illinois had tied the game at 53-53.
The second half was a back and forth affair, with neither team able to gain a significant advantage. With just over two minutes left in regulation, Purdue had a 73-69 lead, but Illinois rallied to tie the game and send it to overtime.
Double Overtime Thriller
The first overtime period ended in a 77-77 tie, with both teams trading baskets and playing tough defense. In the second overtime period, Purdue was able to pull away, outscoring Illinois 16-9 to secure the victory.
Purdue was led by Williams, who had a monster game with 36 points, 20 rebounds, and 4 assists. Stefanovic also had a strong game with 22 points, hitting 6 of 11 from 3-point range.
Illinois was led by Ayo Dosunmu, who had 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists. Kofi Cockburn also had a strong game with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
College Basketball Rankings
Despite the loss, Illinois is still ranked 4th in the latest college basketball rankings. The Fighting Illini are one of the top teams in the Big Ten and are expected to be a top contender in the NCAA tournament.
Purdue, on the other hand, is currently ranked 24th in the college basketball rankings. The Boilermakers have had an up and down season, but this win over a top team like Illinois should help them move up in the rankings.
Conclusion
The Purdue Boilermakers have secured a big win over a top team in the Illinois Fighting Illini. The game was a double-overtime thriller, with Purdue coming out on top, 93-86.
Purdue was led by Trevion Williams, who had a monster game with 36 points and 20 rebounds. Illinois was led by Ayo Dosunmu, who had 22 points and 6 rebounds.
Despite the loss, Illinois remains one of the top teams in the country and is expected to be a top contender in the upcoming NCAA tournament.
Overall, this game was a great showcase for college basketball and a reminder of why the sport is so beloved by fans across the country.