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Here. We. Go. #Illini pic.twitter.com/eFngxk9d7p
— Illini Basketball (@IlliniMBB) February 4, 2017
This looks like the best crowd of the season
— Jeremy Werner (@JWernerScout) February 4, 2017
The Malcolm Hill-Leron Black pregame handshake #illini pic.twitter.com/MT8iY5vepu
— Jeremy Werner (@JWernerScout) February 4, 2017
First Media TO: #Illini 16, Gophers 11
— Illini Basketball (@IlliniMBB) February 4, 2017
6 #Illini have scored already.
Kipper 5
Lucas 3
Black 2
Finke 2
Hill 2
Mav 2
Hill playing PG...Thorne drops pass...and Abrams and Tate at the other guard spots...#thingsthatmakenosense
— Brad Sturdy (@Sturdy32) February 4, 2017
It’s rare to see an Illinois big man dive to the hoop on a ball screen.
— Big Ten Geeks (@bigtengeeks) February 4, 2017
And it shows. pic.twitter.com/yuqtJvgLBg
That's a nice trophy you've got there @Cubs pic.twitter.com/QgKvTUxfGa
— Orange Krush (@Illini_OKrush) February 4, 2017
Big cheers at SFC for #Cubs World Series trophy. pic.twitter.com/YiQ8TF2D6V
— Shannon Ryan (@sryantribune) February 4, 2017
Basketball is such a beautiful game. pic.twitter.com/Tnvvcjb57o
— Big Ten Geeks (@bigtengeeks) February 4, 2017
Hill just pulled down his 600th career rebound. He's 5th #Illini ever – & 12th active Div. I player – in career 1,600-pt/600-reb club.
— Illini Basketball (@IlliniMBB) February 4, 2017
#Illini with 7 fouls and more than 8 mins left in the half
— Derek Piper (@DPiperScout) February 4, 2017
Gophers now have 8 offensive rebounds and 11 second-chance points, take 27-25 lead over #Illini.
— Doug Bucshon (@IllinoisRivals) February 4, 2017
Petition for the next @IlliniMBB throwback jersey to be the one with the script Illinois across the front, please and thank you: pic.twitter.com/RvwJC1lr13
— Alex Roux (@arouxBTN) February 4, 2017
Kipper Nichols is tough, athletic, and unafraid to attack the rim. Just the kind of player Groce can turn into a stand & shoot specialist. pic.twitter.com/e6p6rEFykz
— Big Ten Geeks (@bigtengeeks) February 4, 2017
#Illini Minn tied 35-35 at half. Nichols 5 of 5 for 13 points (with a banked in shot). Waukegan native Akeem Springs leads Minn w/ 11 pt
— Shannon Ryan (@sryantribune) February 4, 2017
Apparently the art of the mid-range jumper is dead. BUT it's a 35-35 tie at the half #Illini pic.twitter.com/pA8P8HMWgw
— Brad Repplinger (@TCRBrad) February 4, 2017
It's official: Today is first sellout of newly-renovated State Farm Center. #Illini
— Scott Richey (@srrichey) February 4, 2017
#Illini sellout of 15,500 announced (first of season) @StateFarmCenter but lots of empty seats pic.twitter.com/PX5h75FRvX
— ui7news (@ui7news) February 4, 2017
Illinois has 0 points in 4 minutes...guy who had 13 in first half sits....
— Brad Sturdy (@Sturdy32) February 4, 2017
Kipper Nichols scored 13 points in the first half then sat the first 5 minutes of the second half. Boggle. #Illini
— Doug Bucshon (@IllinoisRivals) February 4, 2017
Lynch starting to dominate. 15 points, 5 rebounds.
— Jeremy Werner (@JWernerScout) February 4, 2017
Minnesota has made 5 straight FG. Illini have made 3 straight
50-42 Minn
Illinois WAS doing a great job in the paint to give them the early lead...and now it's 54-44 Gophers pic.twitter.com/umEMtDeomG
— Brad Repplinger (@TCRBrad) February 4, 2017
JCL 0-for-8 FG. Tracy Abrams has had a long seat on the bench
— Jeremy Werner (@JWernerScout) February 4, 2017
For Whitman, this Bball season has been:
— Bob Zuppke (@BobZuppke) February 4, 2017
1. "You're safe, John"
2. "You're making this a tough for me, John"
3. "I have no choice, John"
Illini shooting 4/16 this half. Below is a comparison from the 1st half (right) to the 2nd half (left). Note the shots in the paint... pic.twitter.com/7Gr4Q3Q3u1
— Brad Repplinger (@TCRBrad) February 4, 2017
#Illini down 59-46 with 7:33 left. Home team needs a run or time to get the shovels out.
— Derek Piper (@DPiperScout) February 4, 2017
6-0 run for #illini cuts it to 59-52 with 6:40 left. Fake rally?
— Jeremy Werner (@JWernerScout) February 4, 2017
#MAVDUNK!!! THREE OF 'EM!!!
— Jeremy Werner (@JWernerScout) February 4, 2017
WE'RE NOT WORTHY!!!
Third double-double of the season for Maverick Morgan. Fourth of his career.
— Illini Stats & Notes (@IlliniStats) February 4, 2017
Minnesota 62, #Illini 56 - 2:48
It would not surprise me if this was the first time an Illini had 2 dunks in one game in the John Groce Era. pic.twitter.com/ejBc3IRvCr
— Big Ten Geeks (@bigtengeeks) February 4, 2017
Man...Hill had a few SOLID looks that didn't fall in that stretch. Playing his heart out with 4 fouls and the guy can't catch a break
— Brad Repplinger (@TCRBrad) February 4, 2017
Gophers 62, #Illini 56 | 2:48 2H
— Illini Basketball (@IlliniMBB) February 4, 2017
Both teams in bonus
Arrow to ILL
Minnesota giving #Illini plenty of chances.. Gophers struggling to close. Been a problem for them.
— Derek Piper (@DPiperScout) February 4, 2017
JCL 0-10 FG
— Jeremy Werner (@JWernerScout) February 4, 2017
Nate Mason is underrated. pic.twitter.com/YenyKq3xuF
— Big Ten Geeks (@bigtengeeks) February 4, 2017
Career-high 16 points for Kipper Nichols.
— Illini Stats & Notes (@IlliniStats) February 4, 2017
Kipper Nichols 3-for-3 from three.
— Jeremy Werner (@JWernerScout) February 4, 2017
Rest of #illini: 1-for-18 from three
Illinois how has the same record as last season in B1G play through 12 games (3-9). Game shot tracker 1st half right, 2nd half left: pic.twitter.com/gM7auDXOct
— Brad Repplinger (@TCRBrad) February 4, 2017