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Final Score: Illinois 105, Penn 70.
A much-more balanced Illini offense explodes in the second half, scoring 65 points and going 9-for-14 from three. After a concerning first half during which the Illini connected on just 5/22 from deep, the Illini intentionally went inside at the start of the second half, which was and is this team's big advantage as the tallest team in America. The Illini outscored Penn 44 to 24 with points in the paint and outrebounded the smaller Quakers 46 to 21, including securing 18 offensive boards. David Mirkovic finishes with 29 points and 17 rebounds and joins Maryland's Joe Smith and Villanova's Tim Thomas as the only freshman to have 25 and 15 in their first tournament game. Keaton Wagler finishes with 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists. Illinois' three-point shot selection was much better in the second half due to a more balanced offensive approach. The Illini have blown some leads as of late, but took a 10-point halftime lead to as high as 40 points at one point. The Illini also got Tomislav Ivicic going in the second half, with the big man scoring 12 points after having a goose egg in the first half. Penn just couldn't match up with the Illini's size as the Quakers only shot one free throw tonight. Illinois advances to play upstart VCU, a quick team that is much more explosive off the bounce, a weakness of the Illini. Make the jump to see the game's final stats and read the live running reactions of Illinois' victory against Penn.
Second Half, Under-4 Live Reactions
Illinois leads 93-57 with 3:50 remaining. Illinois is now shooting 50% (34/68) and 41.2% (14/34) from three. The Illini were shooting 39% and 27% respectively in those areas at the half. Illinois has found its missing three this half with better shot selection and less reliance on the deep ball. Once again, inside pressure opens up the three rather than just jacking tough threes off screens that are being hedged. Tomi Ivisic has 12 points this half after 0 in the first. He is such a key for the Illini.
Second Half, Under-8 Live Reactions
Illinois leads 79-51 with 7:45 remaining. It is target practice for the Illini, which has hit 14/20 from the field this half. The Illini made a concerted effort to go inside and this has opened better threes in rhythm. The Illini are 7-for-9 from three this half. Mirkovic has been amazing, with 25 points and 15 boards. The Illini are also clearing the defensive board, limiting Penn to one shot. The Quakers have reached their physical limit.
Second Half, Under-12 Live Reactions
Illinois leads 64-47 with 11:12 remaining. The Illini have made a concerted effort going inside this half and not settling for threes. The result has been as expected, with Mirkovic kicking out to Wagler for a made open three. Wagler actually has two threes created by Mirkovic this half, which has opened up his shooting. Wagler has scored 11 points this half (with three threes) and has 18, 6 and 6 on 50% shooting. Penn cannot stop the Illini when Illinois makes this conscious decision to punish the Quakers with their size. Illinois has a 32-14 advantage with points in the paint. One good thing for Penn is that point guard AJ Levine has come alive a bit, hitting a three and a two.
Second Half, Under-16 Live Reactions
Illinois leads 52-38 with 15:41 remaining. The Illini have been going inside with Mirkovic scoring on the first possession, and Tomislav Ivicic getting a put back and easy basket when getting down low (where he needs to be more often). Illinois then posted Mirkovic who kicked out Wagler for a three. Illinois needs to keep pounding the ball inside and let that collapse the defense for open threes. Penn has two threes this half, both from Zanoni, who has had a great game for the Quakers. Penn is limited athletically and physically compared to the Illini; that's essentially what this game is coming down to.
Halftime Thoughts
Penn just has to hit some open threes. The Quakers have had a bunch of good looks, but are just 26.7% from deep. Still the Quakers are 41.9% from the field overall, meaning Penn's offense is getting good twos. Illinois needs to feed the post early and often in the second half, and get its struggling shooters going by cutting off the ball, to the basket. Illinois cannot relax as this 10-point lead is not comfortable. Head Coach Brad Underwood should consider starting Andrej Stojakovic in the second half. Stojakovic is just not a guy who is good coming off the bench as he is instantly hunting for offense. He needs to get into the flow of the game by starting the half on the floor rather than on the bench. Don't expect this change as Underwood hasn't made it for the past month.
Halftime: Illinois 40, Penn 30.
Illinois gives up an unacceptable three by Power at the end of the half. After a Wagler make at the rim, Illinois let Power dribble into that three. The Illini better hope that shot doesn't get Power going. Illinois is up 10, but should be up more, considering the team has 14 offensive boards, leading to 16 second-chance points. Mirkovic has carried the Illini with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Penn may be down 10 but needs to feel good given that Illinois has dominated the glass. Illinois is simply the more gifted team physically, though Penn can run good offense and get this game back to four points in just a few possessions. The Illini would be wise to pound the ball inside at the start of half and see if some inside pressure can open up some outside makes. Illinois is on pace for 44 threes. The Illini have only made 6/22 (27.3%). The Illini have struggled from deep as of late, and it is continuing tonight. The Illini may survive tonight against a less-talented Penn team, but that does not bode well for a long tourney run. A lot of the Illini look tentative as well.
First Half, Under-4 Live Reactions
Illinois leads 30-25. Illinois has gone cold from three after a hot stretch. The Illini are just 4/16 (25%). Mirkovic is keeping the Illini ahead with his offensive rebounding. He has 12 points and 8 rebounds. Wagler has only 5 points on 2 of 8 shooting. Penn seems to be getting better looks, thank goodness the Quakers have only hit 3/12 threes. Illinois seems content with letting anyone but Power shoot the three. However, Penn is getting some wide open looks. This game has a similar feel to games Illinois has lost lately!
First Half, Under-8 Live Reactions
Illinois leads 26-22 with 5:58 remaining. The Illini were just up eleven by going to bully ball with Stojakovic and Mirkovic scoring inside. Mirkovic is carrying the Illini while Wagler is off to a quiet start. However, the Illini haven't scored in three minutes! Penn is getting carried by Zanoni, who has 10 points total, and six in that stretch, including off a nice pump fake. Penn also got an unexpected three from Lucas Lueth. Power hasn't been able to get free against Illinois' Kylan Boswell. Sadly, no lead is safe with this Illinois team, which seemed to be in control. The Illini do have 9 offensive boards and are in the bonus.
First Half, Under-12 Live Reactions
Illinois leads 20-13 with 11:38 remaining with Andrej Stojakovic getting fouled on a made layup. Illinois has hit three triples during this stretch (Ben Humrichous, Keaton Wagler, and David Mirkovic). The Illini are now 4/9 from three (44.4%). Penn's Power just got his first shot of the game, a made three. Penn is 1/6 from deep. Illinois is slowing it up a bit, has a 10-4 advantage on the glass, and has drawn four fouls on Penn. Illinois needs to keep up this methodical style.
First Half, Under-16 Live Reactions
Illinois leads 7-6 with 15:23 remaining. The Illini are making a point to post up Penn's 6-foot point guard AJ Levine. Kylan Boswell has five of the team's seven points. Penn's Michael Zanoni has two pure jumpers in the mid-range. He looks like an Iowa player curling off a screen. The Illini are 1/4 from three, Penn is 0/3 from three. Illinois has a 7-3 edge on the glass. Second-chance points will be huge. Illinois has 4 offensive boards to Penn's 2.
Prediction: Illinois
Penn had a remarkable victory against Yale in the Ivy League Championship game, needing 44 points from TJ Power and overtime to win. Illinois has handled its business all year against teams it should be beat. With that said, Penn Head Coach Fran McCaffery knows Illinois well, having coached 15 seasons against the Illini while at Iowa in the Big Ten. Illinois also relies on two freshmen in Keaton Wagler and David Mirkovic, who have been spectacular all year but never played in an NCAA Tournament game. Penn will be without its leading scorer Ethan Roberts, who is out with his second concussion of the season. Power will be active, though he did not practice yesterday due to illness. Ultimately, it is unlikely that Penn will be able to keep up with the offensive firepower of the Illini. The winner will get VCU on Saturday!
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