Social Media Reacts To Illinois Basketball's Hard-scrabble Win At Northwestern

Illinois yet exorcised 1 of its much annoying caller demons connected Wednesday night, knocking disconnected Northwestern 79-68 successful Evanston and snapping a three-game losing streak successful Welsh-Ryan Arena. It wasn’t ever beautiful aliases soft – particularly early – but it coiled up being effective. In Big Ten play, a triumph is simply a triumph is simply a win.

The nighttime sewage disconnected to a unusual commencement earlier nan shot was moreover tipped. David Mirkovic wasn’t emotion good and was held retired of nan starting lineup, forcing Illinois to shuffle things astir and thin into a less-than-ideal rhythm. That deficiency of syncopation showed early. Illinois looked a measurement slow, Northwestern hung around, and nan crippled felt for illustration it was trending toward yet different uncomfortable matter successful Evanston. Still, moreover pinch nan sluggish start, nan Illini managed to return a five-point lead into halftime – hardly dominant, but (crucially) not trailing.

Then halftime ended, and Keaton Wagler decided everyone had waited agelong enough. If this sounds familiar, that’s because you've seen this movie. Wagler erupted for 20 points successful nan 2nd half, many times torching Northwestern pinch reliable shot-making, timely buckets and nan benignant of violative assurance that makes opposing fans groan earlier nan shot moreover leaves his hands. Every clip Northwestern hinted astatine a run, Wagler responded pinch nan hoops balanced of “absolutely not.”

While Wagler handled nan takeover duties, Tomislav Ivisic provided nan haymakers. Ivisic vanished pinch 21 points, burying respective monolithic three-pointers that felt for illustration affectional daggers. Each 1 sucked a small much life retired of nan building, turning tense Illinois fans into relaxed ones and Northwestern hopes into long-distance memories. When a large man is confidently stepping into threes successful Evanston, you cognize nan vibes person shifted.

Meanwhile, Kylan Boswell quietly did everything other – scoring erstwhile needed, facilitating, defending, rebounding. Boswell was nan connective insubstantial that kept nan Illini dependable erstwhile nan crippled still felt wobbly. His container people mightiness not shriek “headline,” but Illinois doesn’t propulsion distant without him controlling nan tempo and filling successful nan gaps.

By nan last buzzer, Illinois had done much than conscionable triumph a roadworthy game. The Illini improved to 4-0 successful convention roadworthy play and 5-1 wide successful nan Big Ten, continuing a inclination that feels some astonishing and highly encouraging. Evanston nary longer feels cursed, Wagler continues his one-man crusade against opposing defenses, and Illinois keeps stacking wins distant from home. It wasn’t flawless, but it was nosy – and societal media people had plentifulness to opportunity astir it.

Humrichous brings nan conflict to nan lineup

Bam shows retired again

Mirk successful disguise

Nick Martinelli was (again) cooking

Wagler does it again

A flagarant?!

A batch of opinionated astir ...

Jayden Reid going off

It's his corner

Tomi successful nan clutch

Typical Welsh-Ryan voodoo

Tell 'em, Jon