Finke, Morgan step up in teammates' absence

Illini Recap: Losing streak ends at two» moreMINNEAPOLIS — Mike Thorne Jr. back in street clothes and on the Illinois bench Saturday night at historic Williams Arena meant the Illini were back to the status quo from much of the season.

No Thorne and the continued absence of Leron Black, dealing with his own knee issues, put the burden of holding down the post squarely on the shoulders of Michael Finke and Maverick Morgan. Again.

The last Illini post duo remaining answered its challenge from Illinois assistant Dustin Ford against Minnesota.

Morgan finished with 14 points and seven rebounds and was one of the Illini’s steadiest offensive options, connecting on 58 percent of his shots. Finke had…