News / Sports
College Basketball: Wisconsin Badgers Top Illinois to Reach Big Ten Championship Game
Alando Tucker scored 21 points and grabbed 4 rebounds to lead the Wisconsin Badgers (29-4) past the Illinois Fighting Illini (23-11) 53-41 and advance to the Big Ten Championship game on Sunday.
Wisconsin overcame a slow start and overcame an early six point deficit to grab the lead with just under ten minutes remaining in the first half. Once the Badgers had the advantage they never allowed the Illini any closer than two.
The Badgers got a big game from guard Kammron Taylor as well. The senior scored 14 of his 16 points in the second half to keep Wisconsin in front of an Illinois team that had cut a 10-point deficit to five with a little more than eleven minutes remaining in the game.
Wisconsin will now take on the Ohio State Buckeyes for what could be more than just the Big Ten Championship. The winner is almost guaranteed a number one seed in the NCAA Tournament. The two teams have already met twice this year with each owning a victory.
Illinois will have to wait and see if the selection committee places them in the NCAA Tournament. It appears as if they have the credentials but with so many teams on the bubble it could go either way.
