Illinois reigns supreme
One dazzling streak ended and another endured.
Top-ranked Illinois beat No. 18 Wisconsin 75-65 on Tuesday night in Madison, Wis., extending the nation’s longest winning streak to 20 games and ending the nation’s longest homecourt winning streak at 38.
Led by Luther Head’s 18 points and reserve Jack Ingram’s clutch play down the stretch, Illinois (20-0, 6-0 Big Ten) became the first team to beat the Badgers (13-4, 4-2) at the Kohl Center since Wake Forest on Dec. 4, 2002.
The Illini did it by scoring 14 of the game’s final 15 points after overcoming an eight-point deficit midway through the second half.
Illinois coach Bruce Weber, who had peddled his team as the underdog despite eight straight weeks atop the poll, said the biggest thing about the Illini’s first win in Madison since 1998 was what it meant in the Big Ten race, in which the Illini are 6-0.
“I told the kids if we win this one, we’re going to be one up on everyone because I don’t know if anyone’s capable of coming in here and winning besides us after the Michigan State loss, so it gives us one up for the Big Ten championship,” Weber said.
That’s what bothered the Badgers, who fell to 53-3 at home under Bo Ryan and lost a Big Ten home game for the first time in his four seasons as coach.
“The guys weren’t worried about losing any streak. It was a Big Ten conference game. That’s all we were playing for,” said Ryan, whose teams are 26-1 at home in the league since he took over in 2001.
(6) Kansas 86, Baylor 66: At Waco, Texas, Wayne Simien scored 18 points and the Jayhawks (15-1, 5-0) made a school-record 16 3-pointers to remain unbeaten in the Big 12.
Aaron Bruce had 23 points for the Bears (9-7, 1-4), who have lost 14 straight against ranked opponents and are 1-10 overall against KU.
(7) Kentucky 84, Tennessee 62: At Knoxville, Tenn., Patrick Sparks scored 19 points and Kelenna Azubuike added 17 for the Wildcats (15-2, 6-0 Southeastern Conference) in their win over the Volunteers (10-9, 3-3).
(16) Texas 80, Texas Tech 73: At Austin, Texas, Daniel Gibson scored 20 points, hitting 6 of 6 on 3-pointers, to lead the Longhorns (15-4, 4-2 Big 12), who were 14 of 21 on 3-pointers.
Ronald Ross scored 29 points for the Red Raiders (11-5, 3-2), who came in as the Big 12’s top-scoring team but shot 37 percent against Texas’ new zone defense.
(19) Connecticut 68, West Virginia 58: At Morgantown, W.Va., Rashad Anderson, not starting for the first time this season, scored 16 of his 22 points in the second half to lead the Huskies (12-4, 4-2 Big East) past the Mountaineers (11-6, 1-5).
Women
(16) Kansas St. 74, No. 18 Iowa St. 52: Kendra Wecker scored 26 points and grabbed 15 rebounds to lead the Wildcats (15-3, 6-1 Big 12) over the Cyclones (15-2, 5-1) at Manhattan, Kan.