Player of the Game: NU’s Tre Demps
The 6-foot-3 redshirt senior guard had a couple ugly misses from three-point range late in the second half — including one that would have made it a two-possession game with 12 seconds to play — but his four straight makes from deep helped the Wildcats build enough of a late lead.
BACKCOURT (Northwestern B+, Illinois B-)
Illinois not only got double-digit scoring from Kendrick Nunn and Jalen Coleman-Lands and made a change at the point, but the Illini also held Bryant McIntosh to four points.
FRONTCOURT (Northwestern D+, Illinois C)
Maverick Morgan crashed the boards and was efficient offensively, and D.