André Curbelo and Illinois win the NCAA Big Ten Championship

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Indianapolis – Illinois, the number 3 in the country, has achieved an important goal. The next one will be even more difficult.

As Fighting Illini celebrated its first Big Ten tournament title of 2005, winning 91-88 overtime in Ohio State (No. 9) on Sunday, they quickly focused on No. 1 in the NCAA tournament and the opportunity they he presents it.

“It was crazy, thinking about all the things I did and knowing how I got there on my visit with coach (Brad) Underwood and I told him these are the things we can do,” he said. said Ayo Dosunmu after being named Remarkable Player Plus in the tournament.

Especially considering the oddities of this season.

Despite playing the regular season in front of minimal fans, Illini (23-6) lifted the trophy under the video card in the middle of the field and watched the selection program with a lot of fans dressed in orange at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Everything seemed perfectly aligned for Illini’s depth and versatility.

Dosunmu, Kofi Cockburn and Puerto Rico André Curbelo they scored 16 points. Cockburn and Dosunmu each had nine rebounds and played the keys in overtime. Cockburn sank the free throws with 1:39 for the end and Curbelo followed with an extraordinary 15-foot shot, with 50 seconds left to make it 84-81, and Illinois finally sealed it at the free throw line.

The 19-year-old Puerto Rican, who is in his first year, added another after being named Best Sixth Man at the conference, as well as being added to the All-Freshman team.

Illinois will begin its next search against Drexel, the 16th seed on Friday, after winning seven in a row overall and 14 of 15 with six consecutive victories over the top 10 enemies.

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