Tag: illinois basketball

Illinois’ Matthew Mayer played with just one shoe for more than a minute of March Madness

It is shocking how long it took for him to reunite with his sneaker.

Illinois senior Matthew Mayer lost his shoe during the first half in the opening round of March Madness against Arkansas.

Rather than immediately attempting to put the shoe back on his foot, however, the 23-year-old forward made a much stranger decision. After getting the ball in the backcourt, he passed it to a teammate and then he tossed his shoe onto the Illinois sideline.

Instead of calling a timeout, Illinois then ran a half-court possession with Mayer spotting up on the perimeter. Arkansas then forced a turnover, then Illinois quickly forced a turnover, then Arkansas forced yet another turnover.

Arkansas finally scored — Mayer wasn’t much help on defense with just one shoe on his feet.

While you might expect that by this point, Mayer would have found a quick moment to put the sneaker back on his foot, you would be mistaken!

Why didn’t Brad Underwood call a timeout? Why didn’t the officials blow their whistles to stop the play?

Illinois shockingly ran one more half-court set, with Mayer once more spotting up on the perimeter. They missed their field-goal attempt, Mayer got back on defense, and Illinois got a stop.

It was finally time: After more than a minute of the game clock had passed, the forward was finally reunited with his missing sneaker.

This is assuredly one of the strangest sequences you will see during the tournament. But that’s why they call it March Madness, amirite?

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The compete Big Ten basketball tournament bracket

The compete Big Ten basketball tournament bracket

Wisconsin faces a must-win situation in the Big Ten tournament this week.

The Badgers open play in the first round on Wednesday as they take on Ohio State in a game that will likely decide their NCAA Tournament fate.

The Badgers earned the No. 12 seed in the conference tournament and face the unusual task of playing on the first day of the event.

Wisconsin enters in at 9-11 in the conference and 17-13 overall, and are in desperate need of a solid week at the United Center in Chicago.

Here is a look at the complete Big Ten tournament bracket and schedule:

Illinois beats Michigan in 2OT, a significant positive development for USC

Michigan lost a 7-point lead in the 1st OT. The Wolverines are not in the field of 68 as a result. #USCBubbleWatch

The Michigan Wolverines are one of four Big Ten bubble teams. Wait a minute — four? Yes. There were three bubble teams entering Thursday night, but Rutgers lost to Minnesota. The Scarlet Knights have to win at least one more game to lock up a bid.

With so many bubble teams in one conference, USC and its fans have an obvious interest in what goes on in the Trojans’ future conference.

Thursday night, they got some great news from Champaign, Ill.

The Illinois Fighting Illini defeated the Michigan Wolverines, 91-87 in double overtime, which can best be described as a result which gives Michigan one less chance to play its way into the NCAA Tournament.

The Wolverines still have a chance, to be sure, but that next chance might depend on Sunday afternoon’s game at Indiana. The Hoosiers are not easy to beat on their home floor, especially on Senior Day. If Michigan doesn’t win that game, the Wolverines will likely need at least two wins at the Big Ten Tournament, possibly three.

This was a wild game between Illinois and Michigan. The Illini led 70-63 with 2:10 left in regulation and blew that lead. Michigan had a chance to win at the end of regulation but missed.

Michigan led Illinois 81-74 with 1:40 left in overtime and blew it. Illinois missed a free throw in the last 30 seconds which would have given the Illini the lead.

Illinois then scored the first five points of the second overtime and held on for the win.

USC heartily approves.

Stay with us for full bubble coverage here at Trojans Wire.

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Ohio State basketball vs. Illinois: How to watch, stream the game

Illinois comes to town to face the Buckeyes. #GoBucks

The Ohio State basketball team continues to limp toward the finish line of a disappointing season. The Buckeyes couldn’t find a way to get things done against Penn State on Thursday evening and things don’t get any easier on Sunday.

OSU rolls out the red carpet for the Fighting Illini of Illinois in what is likely to be another loss for the Buckeyes. The Illini, who are fighting for their NCAA tournament lives are currently projected as a No. 9 seed according to Joe Lunardi and ESPNs bracketology predictions.

Here’s how to find and see the game Sunday afternoon.

Basic info

When: Sunday, Feb. 26, at noon EST

Where: Value City Arena (Columbus, Ohio)

How to watch/stream/listen:

Broadcast: CBS

Live Stream: fuboTV (watch here)

Radio: IMG Radio Network (flagship station WBNS 97.1 The Fan)

Radio announcers:

  • Paul Keels (play-by-play)
  • Ron Stokes (analysis)

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Wisconsin guard back in starting lineup

The Badgers will have Max Klesmit (upper body) back in the lineup Saturday versus Illinois at 2 PM.

The Badgers will have Max Klesmit (upper body) back in the lineup Saturday versus Illinois at 2 PM. Klesmit (6.8 PPG) will return after missing two contests following a shot to the face in Wisconsin’s 63-60 win over Penn State on Jan. 17.

With the Badgers’ starting five all in the lineup this year, the team is 12-2, but when one of their pieces have been missing (Wahl for three games, Klesmit for two), the team is 0-5.

In Klesmit’s return, Jordan Davis will return to the bench Saturday after contributing 18 points over the last two contests.

Wisconsin will look to get back into the win column after dropping two games earlier this week and five out of their last six contests.

Badgers fall short of Top 25 in USA Today Coaches Poll

Wisconsin was left off of the Top 25 in this week’s USA Today Coaches Poll, earning 17 votes and landing on the outside looking in.

As the Week 12 results of the USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll came out Monday, the Badgers were absent from the Top 25. The team did however garner 17 votes, leaving them in the bubble just outside of the list.

The USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll top 10 for this week includes Texas(10), Kansas(9), Arizona(8), UCLA(7), Virginia(6), Kansas State(5), Tennessee(4), Houston(3), Alabama(2), Purdue(1).

Wisconsin is coming off of a 63-60 win over Penn State on Tuesday, improving to 12-5 on the season. With the return of Tyler Wahl (ankle) to the lineup, the Badgers were able to snap a three-game skid, improving to 12-2 on the campaign with the senior forward on the court.

Greg Gard and his squad were originally set to play Northwestern on Saturday, but the game was pushed to 5:30 PM on Monday night after the Wildcats had an outbreak of COVID-19 within their program.

After Monday’s road matchup, Wisconsin will travel to face Maryland on Wednesday before returning home to face Illinois on Saturday to wrap up their week.

The Badgers would have a real shot at cracking the Top 25 next week if they’re able to produce an undefeated week.

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Penn State’s men’s basketball team absolutely dominated No. 17 Illinois as double-digit underdog

December madness!

Riding the emotional high of beating No. 2 Texas in overtime on Tuesday, No. 17 Illinois was supposed to handle business at home on Saturday afternoon against an inferior Penn State men’s basketball team.

But not only did the Fighting Illini fail to cover their double-digit spread (-10.5), they didn’t even win the game. As a matter of fact, they were absolutely crushed.

After digging out of an early second-half hole of 14 points, Illinois managed to spark a run and trim the deficit to five points with just over 13 minutes of gameplay remaining.

But Penn State’s Andrew Funk and Myles Dread would go on a 3-point spree to extend the Nittany Lions’ lead to 19, ultimately closing the door on any Illinois comeback hopes. In the end, Penn State claimed a 74-59 victory over Illinois in what might be one of the biggest surprises of the day.

PSU’s Jalen Pickett and Andrew Funk led all scorers with 20 points.

Hopefully, you bettors out there faded the Illini.

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Illinois deals Texas its first loss of the season, 85-78

Illinois erases a 10-point Texas lead to upset the Longhorns.

Illinois forward Matthew Mayer played out of his mind on Tuesday night. In the end, Texas couldn’t counter his offensive output.

The Illini made shot after shot in the first half as they lit up the basket from three point land early. Mayer shot a scorching 6-for-6 from the field in the first half. Texas consistently chipped away eventually building a 10-point lead. It still wasn’t enough.

Texas contained Terrence Shannon early, holding him scoreless in the first half. Heading into the game, Shannon averaged 19.8 points per game. They couldn’t hold keep him down in overtime.

After the Illini sent the game to a third period, Terrence Shannon came alive and separated from Texas with two huge baskets. Illinois closed it out from there.

The loss illustrates how much work the Longhorns have to do to advance further in the postseason than past Texas teams.

Texas falls to 6-1 while Illinois improves to 7-2 on the season. Chris Beard’s team will take on Arkansas-Pine Bluff next on December 10.

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What No. 2 Texas is facing against No. 17 Illinois on Tuesday

Watch for these players when Texas takes on Illinois on Tuesday, 6 p.m. CT on ESPN.

Texas will face its first test away from the Moody Center on Tuesday. The Longhorns (6-0) travel to Madison Square Garden to compete with the No. 17 Illinois Fighting Illini (6-2).

Chris Beard’s team is still battle tested after securing Top 10 wins over the Gonzaga Bulldogs and Creighton Bluejays. Nevertheless the Illinois game will be a different challenge altogether.

Aside from the neutral site test, Texas will have the unenviable task of stopping Terrence Shannon. Chris Beard’s former Texas Tech player is averaging over 19 points per game on the season.

Baylor transfer Matthew Mayer is another familiar face on the Illini. The defensive pest is struggling this season on the offensive end, but could give the Longhorns trouble with suffocating defense.

Illinois would be the cherry on top of a No. 1 seed caliber nonconference resume for Texas, but the Longhorns’ opponent will have other plans.

Here’s a look at Illinois’ starting five.

Texas basketball has two games to prepare for No. 10 Creighton

Gonzaga is only the beginning of a loaded schedule. Here’s some storylines to follow.

Texas basketball secured a resume-topping win over No. 2 Gonzaga this week. Contrary to what one might think, the schedule difficulty isn’t all that far down from here.

The Longhorns have a pair of Top 20 matchups on the horizon. After home games with North Arizona and UT-Rio Grande Valley, the team will play consecutive nationally televised games with No. 10 Creighton and No. 19 Illinois.

The above games are quite a start to December. Albeit, Texas may need those tests to prepare them for Big 12 play.

The Illinois Fighting Illini will have two familiar faces for Texas. Former Texas Tech guard and Chris Beard recruit Terrence Shannon Jr leads the Illini in scoring with 22.7 points per game. Former Baylor defensive specialist Matthew Mayer is also part of the team.

Let’s look at a few milestone games and storylines to follow.