CHAMPAIGN — Illinois has faced about every situation possible at halftimes throughout this season.
Deficits they’ve tackled. Big leads they’ve given up.
While there’s been no real gauge on how the second half might play out, the message hasn’t changed. Illinois coach Brad Underwood wants the same type of energy and effort every single minute of the game.
The Illini found that level of play in the second half Tuesday night against Rutgers.
Leading by 19 at the break, the Illini opened the second half on a 12-2 run. The rout was on, and the Illini won their second straight Big Ten game with a 91-60 victory in front of 12,612 fans at State Farm Center.