That's all from Assembly Hall tonight. Not much to say excpet for Indiana demolishing Illinois. Stay tuned for my recap of the game on VAVEL USA later tonight. For Josh Eastern at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Indiana, have a good night
FINAL: Indiana 103, Illinois 69
2nd (:52): Niego nails a 3 for IU
2nd (1): Thorne muscles it up for 2
2nd (1): All walk-ons on the floor right now for IU
2nd (1:34): Austin at the line to complete a 3-point play for IL. The FT doesn't go
2nd (1): Anunoby with the put back slam. 100 points for IU tonight
2nd (2): Jordan nails a 3 for IL
2nd (2): Anunoby hits a 3 as the shot clock expires. 98-60 IU
2nd (3:13): Lewis makes the first and the second
2nd (3): Niego commits a foul and Lewis will shoot 2
2nd (3:55): Hartman makes the first and the second
Yogi Ferrell checked out for the final time tonight and coach Tom Crean raised his hand to the crowd for which he got a standing ovation. Ferrell became IU's all-time assist leader and finished the game with 16 points and 9 assists
With 3:55 to play in the second half, Indiana leads Illinois, 93-58
2nd (3): Hartman fouled and that will bring us to our last media timeout
2nd (4:07): Thorne back to the line makes both FTs
2nd (4:25): Thorne misses the first and the second
2nd (4): Anunoby commits a foul and Thorne will shoot 2
2nd (4): Johnson slams it home on a fast break
2nd (5): Bielfeldt stays with it and puts in his miss for 2
2nd (5:58): Thorne makes the front end and makes the second
2nd (5): Bryant goes over the back and Thorne will shoot 1-and-1 again
2nd (6:06): Thorne misses the front end
2nd (6): Thorne is fouled by Bryant and he will shoot 1-and-1
2nd (6:14): Bryant makes the first and the second
2nd (6): Morgan commits a foul and Bryant will shoot 2
2nd (6): Jordan answers with 3 from the Illini
2nd (6): Zeisloft nails another 3 for IU
Indiana has shot well at home all year and that hasn't changed tonight as they are 60% from the field and 55% from behind the arc
This one is all Indiana as they are not leaving any doubt right now. Troy Williams leads all scorers with 21 while Malcolm Hill has 20 for Illinois
With 6:41 to play in the second half, Indiana is leading Illinois, 84-51
2nd (6): Ball out of bounds and will stay with IU. That brings us to another media timeout
2nd (7): Williams some how gets it to go in off the window
2nd (7): Morgan for 2 for IL
2nd (7): Zeisloft nails a 3 for IU
2nd (8:11): Hill makes the first and misses the second
2nd (8): Hill was fouled and will shoot 1-and-1
2nd (8:22): Nunn fouls out for Illinois and a long night gets longer for the Illini. Williams completes the 3-point play
2nd (8): Basket and the foul for Williams. He has 2 shot to complete the 3 point play
2nd (8:44): Hill makes the first and the second
2nd (8): Morgan fouls Hill and he will shoot 2
2nd (9): Bielfeldt again! He's scored the last 10 for IU and they lead by 30
2nd (9:43): Bielfeldt misses the first and the second
2nd (9): Bielfeldt fouled and will shoot 2. It's the Max show right now
2nd (10): Bielfeldt with another 3. Second in a row
2nd (10): Bielfeldt nails a 3 for IU. All IU tonight
2nd (11): Bielfeldt with a nice take to the hoop and scores for 2
2nd (11): Lewis for 2 for IL
2nd (11:40): Williams makes both
2nd (11): Williams was fouled and will shoot 1 and 1
Indiana will inbounds out of the timeout with 11:40 to go
Sorry for the internet issues. We have reached another media timeout with Indiana leading Illinois by a score of 64-44
2nd (11): Lewis lays it in on the fastbreak for IL
2nd (12): Hill for 2 for IL
2nd (12): Ferrell for 3 again for IU. His fifth
2nd (13): Coleman-Lands nails a 3 for IL
Illinois calls their last timeout of the night
2nd (13): Anunoby slams it on the fastbreak and Assembly Hall is really, really loud
2nd (14): Hartman nails a 3 for IU
2nd (15): Williams with a nice cut to the basket for 2
2nd (15:40): Thorne makes both
2nd (15): Foul charged to Bielfeldt for IU and Thorne will shoot 2
With 15:51 to play in the second half, Indiana leads Illinois, 54-35
2nd (16): Bielfeldt fouled and that brings us to a media timeout on the floor
2nd (16:32): Thorne misses the first and makes the second
2nd (16): Thorne into the game for IL and he draws a foul on Bryant. Will shoot 2
Hill and Nunn have their 15 and 10 respectively, but other than that, three players have two and one has 3
With 16:43 to play in the second half, Indiana leads Illinois, 54-34
Illinois calls a timeout
2nd (16): Ferrell nails a 3 and this Indiana team is hitting on all cylinders at the moment
2nd (17): Bryant with a nice move inside and he slams it home for 2
2nd (17): Nunn nails another shot. This time for 2
2nd (17): Nice back cut by Johnson who is wide open for a lay up
2nd (18): Nunn nails a 3 for IL
2nd (18): Williams soars in for a dunk
2nd (18): Finke lays it in for 2 for IL
2nd (19): Ferrell knocks down a 3 for IU
2nd (19): Easy lay-in for Hill to start the half for IL
2nd (20): Illinois will inbound to start the half
Ready for the second half here at Assembly Hall. Indiana halfway to a 6-0 start in the Big Ten
We did see the return of Mike Thorne for Illinois there in the first half. Played just 6 minutes, but had 4 rebounds and was 0-for-4 from the field
I'll be back in about 12 minutes for the second half
Troy Williams leads Indiana in scoring with 10 while Malcolm Hill has 13 for Illinois
Illinois fought their way back, but a big run by Indiana at the end of the half has the Hoosiers up 17
HALFTIME: Indiana 42, Illinois 25
1st (7.4): Ferrell makes the first and misses the second
1st (7.4): Ferrell fouled and will shoot 1 and 1
12 seconds left in the half and IU has the ball
1st (:12): Offensive foul on IL. Indiana takes their use it or lose it timeout
1st (:40): Johnson for 3 for IU as the shot clock winded down
1st (1): Good lay in by Hill for IL
1st (1): Bielfeldt fouled going for the rebound. No FTs yet for IU
Illinois was down 22-21, but since then, Indiana on a 16-2 run
1st (1): Anunoby with a great drive and the lay in. Timeout IL
1st (2): Johnson for 3 for IU. His second of the night
1st (2): 3 in the key on Bryant for IU. Still 33-23 IU
1st (3): Bryant lays it in for 2
Just 8 combined TOs tonight from both sides
Indiana isn't scoring quite like they normally do and shooting 42% from the field
With 3:59 to play in the first half, Indiana leads Illinois, 31-23
1st (3): Kick ball by IL and that brings us to a timeout
1st (4): Big time put back from Bryant, but the foul was apparently before the shot. Fans are not too pleased
1st (4:21): Hill makes both FTs
1st (4): Foul on IU and Hill will shoot 2
1st (4): Williams jams it on the lob from Ferrell! Wow!
Indiana responds with a 7-0 following Illinois' 10-0 run
1st (5): Great pass from Ferrell to Williams for 2 and IL calls a timeout
1st (5): Johnson for 3 for IU as the shot clock was winding down
1st (7:05): Bielfeldt makes the first and the second
1st (7): Bielfeldt is fouled as the shot clock expires and will shoot 2
1st (7): Indiana will in-bound with 3 on the shot clock
Indiana is 2 for their last 11 from the field and haven't scored in 3:48. That has enabled Illinois to get back in the game
A 10-0 run by the Illini over the last 2:30 has gotten them back in this game
With 7:08 to play in the first half, Indiana leads Illinois, 22-21
1st (7): Ball out of bounds will stay with IU after the timeout
1st (7): Hill for 3 for IL. 22-21 now IU still leading
1st (8): Good take by Hill for IL. 7-0 for the Illini
1st (8): Nunn for 3 for IL
1st (9): Good take by Tate for IL
1st (9): Ball out of bounds and IU keeps possession. IL really struggling on offense
1st (10): Zeisloft for 3 for IU
Ferrell and Williams for IU have both game high 6 points
With 11:08 to play in the first half, Indiana leads Illinois, 19-11
1st (11): Nunn turns it over and a timeout on the floor
1st (11): Assist for Ferrell to Bielfeldt and Ferrell has IU's all time leading assist record
1st (12): Physical game right now. Officials letting them play to a degree
1st (12): Ferrell for 3. Great shot
1st (13:10): Hill makes the first and the second
1st (13): Shooting foul on Anunoby for IU. Hill to shoot 2
1st (13): A few empty possessions in a row, but a foul charged to Bryant for IU
1st (14): Good tip in by Jordan for IL
1st (14): Bryant for 3 for IU. The big man!
1st (14:53): Nunn makes 2 of 3 from the line
Fast start for IU shooting 57 percent to IL's 29 percent. Nunn to shoot 3 FTs out of the timeout
With 14:53 to play in the first half, Indiana leads Illinois, 11-5
1st (14): Nunn is fouled shooting a 3 and that brings us to a timeout
1st (15): Williams again for 3 for IU
1st (16): Coleman-Lands for 3 for IL
1st (16): Williams takes and makes a 3 for IU
1st (16): Travel on Nunn for IL
1st (17): Offensive foul on Johnson for IU. IL in a zone on defense
1st (17): Good take by Hill to put IL on the board
1st (18): Long possession for IL turns into nothing. Out of bounds to IU
1st (18): Ferrell for 3 for IU!
1st (18): Hartman tips in a Johnson miss for IU
1st (19): Shot clock violation on Indiana to start things
1st (20): Bryant and Finke to tip it and IU gets the tip. We're off!
Here we go. Both teams on the floor. We're ready for tip!
Lineups currently being announced. Tip just moments away. Indiana will be in their home white's while Illinois will be in their road orange
National anthem time here at Assembly Hall. Just about time for tipoff
This is the first conference game for Indiana where the students will be in attendence. Should be a fun atmosphere tonight in Bloomington
For time and typing sake, Illinois will be IL while Indiana will be IU
Illinois starters: Jaylon Tate, Jalen Coleman-Lands, Malcolm Hill, Kendrick Nunn, Michael Finke
Indiana starters: Yogi Ferrell, Collin Hartman, Thomas Bryant, Robert Johnson, Troy Williams
Indiana Yogi Ferrell is just two assists shy of the Indiana career record. Very likely he captures that record here tonight
Hope to avoid internet issues as I have in past
Lineups should be announced here shortly as the arena is filling in. Tip is about 27 minutes away
James Blackmon Jr. is here tonight at Assembly Hall for the first time since undergoing knee surgery that is expected to keep him out for the rest of the season
Josh Eastern here checking in from Assembly Hall in Bloomington, IN where Indiana is getting ready to take on Illinois. Will have some more updates as tip-off approaches
It looks as if Mike Thorne will be returning from injury tonight for the Illini
Both of these teams seem to be going in different directions right now, and a trip to Bloomington will be a tall task for a team that needs some wins to get back on track. Illinois is not favored by any means as KenPom gives them just a 12 percent chance of winning. Indiana sure has the upper hand, but if Illinois gets hot shooting the ball, it could be a fun game.
Indiana coach Tom Crean has had to play around with the lineup a bit and now with Blackmon Jr. on the shelf, it has been Collin Hartman that has taken the open spot in the starting five. Off of the bench, Crean has Max Bielfeldt on the inside to go along with OG Anunoby who has played some great minutes off of the bench when Indiana has needed it most. Nick Zeisloft is another guard off of the bench who can come in and knock down some threes if needed. Crean has limited it mostly to those three off of the bench, but lately Juwan Morgan has been getting more time, which deepens this Indiana team without Blackmon Jr.
On the inside is where Illinois is hurting the most. Michael Finke and Maverick Morgan both stand at 6'10" and occupy the post for the Fighting Illini. Finke may stand at 6'10", but he is a perimeter player shooting 41.3 percent from behind the arc. Neither of them are rebounding particularly well as Illinois ranks 333rd in the country in rebounding with just 31.6 per game. There was a report that they could get Mike Thorne back, which would give a big boost to the Fighting Illini.
Two players that have stepped into the spotlight for Illinois, however, are junior guards Malcolm Hill and Kendrick Nunn. In their win over Purdue, they combined for 52 of their team's points en route to an upset victory. Hill and Nunn come in combining to average 36.6 points per game and both shoot the ball at a high percentage, while Nunn is 41.4 percent from behind the arc. These two players will have to be on their games for Illinois to stay in this game.
As for the Fighting Illini, they have battled injuries and are currently without three players in Mike Thorne, Leron Black and Tracy Abrams, all three who could be starting or playing significant minutes while contributing for this team in a big way. Instead, they have won just one conference game out of five and are looking to spoil Indiana's perfect start to the Big Ten slate.
James Blackmon Jr. was also a key contributor before undergoing surgery on his knee that is expected to keep him out for the rest of the season. This is a big loss on the offensive side of the floor, but on defense, the Hoosiers might actually become better.
The Hoosiers are off to a solid start in Big Ten play with three road wins at Rutgers, Nebraska and Minnesota, along with knocking off Wisconsin and Ohio State at home. Yogi Ferrell has been the main man for the Indiana as the senior point guard is averaging 17.1 points per game and is coming off a 20-point performance on Saturday. Another big time contributor has been freshman big man Thomas Bryant who is averaging 12.1 points per game along with 5.6 rebounds. A big key for the Hoosiers is protecting the rim and Bryant has made tremendous strides since the beginning of the season. Troy Williams and Robert Johnson are also key contributors to the offense, which is what this Indiana team is known for as they can score the basketball.
Indiana leads the series between the two schools with a mark of 87-86. The Hoosiers did however win the last meeting between the two schools nearly a year to the day on 1/18/15, as Indiana got an 80-74 victory in Champaign.
The Fighting Illini are coached by John Groce, who is in his fourth year at the helm of the program in Champaign. Groce has had trouble getting it going this year, as he has had to deal with a litany of injuries. He made the tournament in his first season, but hasn’t made it since then.
The Hoosiers are coached by Tom Crean who comes into his eighth year at the helm of the program. Since taking over in 2008, he has rebuilt Indiana basketball and has put them in contention to compete year in and year out. Crean is almost always under pressure to win at Indiana and this year is no different as they look to get back to the NCAA Tournament.
As for Illinois, they have had a tough start to the Big Ten slate as they are just 1-4. After beating Purdue last Sunday, they followed that up with an 11-point loss at home to Nebraska.
Indiana comes into this game with an eight-game winning streak along with a 5-0 record to start Big Ten play. Saturday they paid a visit to The Barn in Minnesota, and while they didn’t play their best game, they came away with a victory.
Welcome to VAVEL College Basketball’s LIVE coverage of the Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Indiana Hoosiers. I’m Josh Eastern and I’ll be providing play-by-play updates, commentary, and results of the game. The game starts at 7:00 PM EST at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, IN. VAVEL USA will be providing coverage pre-game, during the game, and post-game.