Milwaukee – In a dramatic finish to their NCAA Tournament run, the sixth-seeded Illinois Fighting Illini faced off against the third-seeded and 18th-ranked Kentucky Wildcats on Sunday evening. Unfortunately for the Illini, they fell short with a final score of 84-75 at Fiserv Forum, concluding their season with an overall record of 22-13 and a 12-8 mark in Big Ten play.
This marks the fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance for Illinois under head coach Brad Underwood. Throughout the game, junior guard Kylan Boswell stood out, leading the team with an impressive 23 points and making six assists. This was a personal milestone for Boswell, as he achieved a career-high in an NCAA Tournament game.
Adding to Illinois’ contributions was sophomore center Tomislav Ivisic, who scored 19 points while hitting five three-pointers. Notably, Ivisic’s five three-pointers set a new NCAA Tournament record for a player over seven feet tall, breaking his own record established during their Round 1 victory against Xavier on Friday. His overall total of nine three-pointers in this Tournament has now solidified him as the record holder for a 7-footer in NCAA Tournament history.
Additionally, freshman guard Kasparas Jakucionis made a significant impact, finishing with 13 points and tying the Illinois freshman scoring record set by Cory Bradford. He also grabbed five rebounds, showcasing his skills on the court. In terms of rebounding, junior guard Tre White joined graduate forward Ben Hurichous and freshman forward Morez Johnson Jr. as the Illini’s leading rebounders, each pulling down seven boards.
With this loss, the Illini bid farewell to the season, but their players have set numerous records and milestones that will not be forgotten. As they reflect on their journey, supporters are optimistic about what the future holds for Illinois basketball.
