Illinois blows out Syracuse in Big Ten/ACC challenge

By Gavin Good, Related Press

CHAMPAIGN — Coleman Hawkins had 15 factors, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for his first profession triple-double, and No. 16 Illinois thumped Syracuse 73-44 within the ACC/Massive Ten Problem on Tuesday evening.

Neither crew shot effectively, however Illinois (6-1) hit six of its 15 3-point makes an attempt within the second half to ship the Orange (3-4) residence with their third straight loss.

Terrence Shannon Jr. had 17 factors on 5-of-17 capturing for the Illini. All of his makes had been 3s. RJ Melendez scored 15 factors.

Jesse Edwards had 9 factors and 17 rebounds to guide Syracuse, and Judah Mintz additionally scored 9.

Hawkins despatched a full of life crowd right into a frenzy by securing his tenth rebound to finish the triple-double with 1:34 to go and Illinois up 68-44.

“I simply form of stuffed within the spots, discovered the gaps (within the zone),” Hawkins stated. “I knew my teammates could be in sure spots. I used to be form of simply affected person with it.”

Coach Brad Underwood stated the triple-double — the fifth in Illinois historical past — was a credit score to Hawkins’ desire for creating alternatives for teammates.

“He would relatively make a go than a shot,” Underwood stated. “And but, he’s an excellent shooter. He’s very unselfish that means.”

Syracuse collapsed within the last stretch, lacking 9 of its final 10 pictures and failing to attain within the last 3:19.

Benny Williams picked up two fast technical fouls within the last minute to develop into the second Orange participant to get thrown out of a sport this week. Mintz was ejected from a one-point loss to Bryant on Saturday.

Coach Jim Boeheim lamented his crew’s incapacity to generate offense, regardless of a robust defensive effort within the first half.

“We’ve acquired some younger guys which can be making an attempt to determine what they must do, and so they didn’t determine it out very effectively tonight,” Boeheim stated. “We acquired a lesson.”

Illinois shot 35.8% and went 11 of 39 from 3-point vary, whereas holding Syracuse to 27.8% capturing and 5 of 17 from lengthy distance.

Syracuse led early earlier than Shannon hit back-to-back 3s to push Illinois forward 23-18 throughout a 9-0 solo scoring run.

Illinois took a 30-23 lead into the half regardless of a 5-of-24 effort from 3-point vary, partly due to eight factors from Jayden Epps off the bench. Epps completed with 11 factors.

Syracuse went scoreless for the final 4:55 of the primary half after a dunk by Mounir Hima pulled the Orange inside three factors.

CENTURY MARK

Underwood grew to become the sixth Illinois coach to achieve 100 wins, becoming a member of the likes of Bruce Weber and Lou Henson.

“Numerous actually good gamers (right here), a number of nice, nice coaches, an administration who helped us survive early,” Underwood stated. “I’m the beneficiary of that. I’m grateful.”

The sixth-year coach’s 100-67 mark at Illinois has been boosted by latest success. The Illini are 73-28 since they’d dropping information in his first two years.

“I hope there’s 100 extra and counting sooner or later,” he stated.

THE TAKEAWAY

Syracuse: Boeheim’s crew seems to be set to take some licks this season after arriving in Champaign off an extra time loss to St. John’s and a house defeat to Bryant. Nonetheless, there may be loads of time for the Orange’s younger core — they begin three underclassmen — to enhance earlier than Atlantic Coast Convention play begins in earnest.

Illinois: This wasn’t the Illini’s sharpest efficiency. However do-it-all playmakers Hawkins and Shannon give this crew a robust flooring, whereas skills like Melendez, Epps and Skyy Clark ought to have Underwood’s crew in line to compete close to the highest of the Massive Ten.

UP NEXT

Syracuse: Visits Notre Dame on Saturday to open ACC play.

Illinois: Begins Massive Ten play on Friday at No. 22 Maryland.