Illinois Commended by CBB Fans with Big Ten Tournament Title Win vs. Wisconsin

It wasn't the easiest of victories.

The Illinois men's basketball team trailed by as many as 10 points in the second half and looked like the latest victim of a surging Wisconsin. Instead, the Fighting Illini locked it down and grinded out a 93-87 victory over the Badgers to secure their first conference championship since 2021.

Illinois improved to 26-8 on the season and earned a key piece of hardware and momentum going into the NCAA tournament.

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Terrence Shannon Jr. led all scorers with 34 points, while Marcus Domask was next with 26. The Illini won the rebound battle 37-30, 24 of which came from the defensive end.

Fans celebrated the Illini's second-half comeback and believe potential tournament opponents should be fearing a future matchup.

Illinois will now look to use this experience to do some damage in March Madness. The Fighting Illini have not advanced past the second round since 2017, and fell in the second round last season against Iowa State.

Wisconsin will hope to wipe the loss from its memory and make a deep run in March as well. It finishes its pre-tournament season 22-13.

Selection Sunday will take place today at 6 p.m. ET.