In a thrilling matchup, No. 3 Purdue emerged victorious against No. 12 Illinois with a final score of 77-71 on Tuesday night in Champaign, Ill. This win marked Purdue's second consecutive outright Big Ten regular-season championship, a feat not achieved in 17 years.
Leading the charge for Purdue was Zach Edey, who delivered an impressive performance with 28 points and eight rebounds. Fletcher Loyer also made a significant contribution with 16 points. The Boilermakers, with a record of 27-3 overall and 16-3 in conference play, had already secured at least a share of the conference title prior to this game.
Purdue's victory over Illinois was particularly noteworthy as they improved to 7-0 against ranked opponents this season. The team showcased their resilience by outscoring Illinois 43-31 in the second half and shooting 8 of 10 on 3-pointers.
On the Illinois side, Marcus Domask led the scoring with 20 points, followed by Coleman Hawkins with 13 points and nine rebounds. Despite Quincy Guerrier's 12 points, Terrence Shannon Jr. struggled with a season-low 11 points on 3-for-13 shooting.
Both coaches acknowledged the intensity of the game, with Purdue's Matt Painter emphasizing the importance of ball control and Illinois' Brad Underwood highlighting the critical moments where the Illini fell short.
Purdue's consistent starting lineup throughout the season, a school record, has been a key factor in their success. The victory over Illinois added to Purdue's impressive resume, with their only losses coming on the road in Big Ten games.
Looking ahead, Purdue is set to face Wisconsin at home on Sunday, while Illinois will take on Iowa in their next matchup. The close geographic proximity between the two schools adds an extra layer of intensity to their rivalry, with only 91 miles separating the campuses.
As the regular season winds down, Purdue's back-to-back Big Ten titles solidify their status as a force to be reckoned with in college basketball, while Illinois looks to regroup and bounce back in their upcoming games.
