Illini Dominate Oregon, Fans Hope for Tournament Run

0:00On March 6th, Illinois basketball fans are buzzing after the fighting Illinois blew out the Oregon Ducks 80-54 on Senior Night at State, Farm Center. This dominant win has everyone wondering if the team is finally back on track following the rough stretch. Earlier this season, Illinois wrote a 12-game winning streak that featured upsets over top teams like Purdue and Nebraska. But a tough overtime loss to Michigan State sparked a 2-1-4 skid, including heartbreaking defeats at UCLA and at home to Michigan. In Tuesday's game, the Illinois shook off a slow start down 9-3 and locked in with stifling defense, holding Oregon scoreless for over 6. Minutes during a 21-to-nothing run, they dominated the boards by 12 and got huge games from Andre Stogecovich, who dropped 21 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. He players like Stogecovich and David Merkovich stepped up big, easing pressure on the freshmen while the team shared the ball with 13 assists. And just 6 turnovers. Coach Brad Underwood says they're at full strength now, minus one guy, with injuries behind them.

1:07Still, slow openings and second half 3-point woes linger as concerns heading into tournament play. But this feel-good victory has analysts eyeing, a deep run for the Illinois, a deep run for the Illinois, a deep run for the Illinois, a deep run for the Illinois, a deep run for the Illinois, a deep run for the Illinois, a deep run for the Illinois, a deep run for the Illinois, a deep run for the Illinois, a deep run for the Illinois, a deep run for the Illinois, a deep run for the Illinois, a deep run for the Illinois, a deep run for the Illinois, a deep run for the Illinois, a deep run for the Illinois, a deep run for the Illinois, a deep run for the Illinois, a deep run for the Illinois, a deep run for the Illinois, a deep run for the Illinois, a deep run for the Illinois, a deep run for the Illinois, a deep run for the Illinois, a deep run for the Illinois, a deep run for the Illinois, a deep run for the Illinois, a deep run for the Illinois, a deep run for the Illinois, a deep run for the Illinois,