Wisconsin falls to Illinois in Big Ten tournament title game

MINNEAPOLIS – Terrence Shannon proved to be the best player on the floor in the Big Ten Tournament title game Sunday at the Target Center.

Fifth-seeded Wisconsin, which had won three games in three days to reach the title game, had no one to contain Illinois’ gifted wing.

Shannon scored eight of the Illini’s last 10 points of the game, in the final 2 minutes 28 seconds, and finished with 34 to lead the second-seeded Illini to a 93-87 victory.

"It stings," UW coach Greg Gard said. "It hurts. This is one we wanted. This was one of our goals. But as I told the team in the locker room, we’ve got more basketball."

The Badgers (22-13) fell short in the tournament title game for the second time in their last two appearances.

They were seeded No. 2 when they reached the final in 2017 in Washington, D.C., before falling to No. 8 Michigan.

After falling to Illinois on Sunday, UW was seeded No. 5 in the South Regional of the NCAA Tournament and faces James Madison (31-3) in the opening round on Friday. The other first-round game features No. 4 Duke vs. No. 13 Vermont.

"We’re leaving here a much better team than when we started this tournament on Thursday," Gard said. "We got to the game we wanted. We didn’t get across the finish line, but it doesn’t diminish the pride I have in these guys, who have grown over this whole season."

Illinois (26-8) won its fourth Big Ten Tournament title in eight appearances and extended its winning streak against UW to eight games.

Shannon hit 3 of 6 three-pointers, 8 of 15 shots overall and 15 of 17 free throws. Marcus Domask added 26 for the Illini, who hit 17 of 18 free throws and 16 of 26 field goals in the second half.

"They hit some tough shots, got some offensive rebounds, second-chance points," UW's Chucky Hepburn said. "That is what we need to fix heading into March Madness in order to advance."

AJ Storr, averaging 22.0 points per game in the first three tournament games, scored 16 in the first half Sunday to help UW stay within 41-40. He finished with 24 but had a crucial turnover with 65 seconds left and UW down by five.

One day after a fabulous performance in the victory over Purdue, Hepburn scored 20 points against the Illini. Max Klesmit, who hit the game-winner against Purdue, hit 2 late three-pointers against the Illini, but Shannon answered each time.

Steven Crowl, who got into early foul trouble and was limited to 14 minutes in the teams’ regular-season meeting, contributed 11 points, five rebounds and five assists Sunday.

Tyler Wahl, battling a right-knee injury, picked up two early fouls and was limited to nine minutes in the opening half. He fouled out and finished with seven points and three assists.

Reserve forward Carter Gilmore gave UW quality minutes. He contributed seven points and two rebounds in the first half but it wasn't enough.

The first half provided shot-making by both teams and end-to-end action, with the Illini clawing out a 41-40 lead.

Storr hit 2 of 5 three-pointers, 5 of 12 shots overall and 4 of 4 free throws in the opening half for 16 points.

Shannon hit 2 of 3 three-pointers, 4 of 8 shots overall and 5 of 6 free throws for 15 points.

Storr scored 9 of UW’s first 16 points. His three-pointer gave UW a 40-36 lead with 1:41 left in the but the Badgers failed to score on their final three possessions and Shannon scored on a drive and hit a transition three-pointer to give the Illini a 41-40 lead at the break.

Neither team could miss to start the second half.

Led by Domask with three field goals, the Illini hit their first four shots.

The Badgers hit seven of their first eight attempts.

When Hepburn converted a three-point play with 15:47 left, UW had a 56-49 lead.

When Hepburn converted another three-point play, the lead was 61-51 with 14:38 left.

Illinois responded quickly as Shannon scored four points in a 10-2 run to cut UW’s lead to 63-61.

Storr hit 1 of 2 free throws but Hawkins got free in transition for a dunk and UW’s lead was down to 64-63 with 11:32 left.

Game on.

Dain Dainja’s dunk with 11:01 left forged a 65-65 tie; Shannon scored inside; and Domask hit a three-pointer after Ty Rodgers grabbed an offensive rebound.

The Illini had a 70-65 lead and UW called a timeout with 9:17 left to regroup.

The Illini eventually built a 72-66 lead but baskets by Storr and Hepburn pulled UW within 72-70 with 7:47 left.

Storr forged ties at 77-77 and 79-79, with two free throws and a basket in the lane, respectively.

The Illini took the lead back after a miss by Crowl on a transition basket by Dainja with 4:17 left.

The action was intense and neither team could establish complete control.

Klesmit hit a three-pointer for an 82-81 lead but Domask hit two free throws after Wahl fouled him, his fifth of the game, with 3:32 left.

Klesmit hit another three-pointer, this time for an 85-85 tie with 1:57 left, but Shannon answered with a three-pointer for an 88-85 lead with 1:27 left.

Storr turned the ball over with 1:05 left and Shannon was fouled on a drive with 1:02 left. He hit both shots and Hepburn missed a drive on the other end.

Shannon was fouled with 50.2 seconds left and hit 1 of 2 free throws for a 91-85 lead.

UW’s title hopes were fading.

Hepburn hit two free throws with 41.8 seconds left but the Illini got the ball in quickly and Domask was fouled on a drive with 35.5 seconds left. He hit both free throws to close the scoring.

Gard and his players had to turn their attention to the NCAA selection show without a title they coveted.

"Now we get to go chase another championship," Gard said. "All of us will start from the same starting block. You’ve got to get six (victories), but I like what I saw. We’re primed and ready to go now.

"You want to be playing your best basketball in March and we are."

MARCH MADNESS: Where does the Wisconsin men's basketball team stand heading into the 2024 NCAA Tournament on Selection Sunday?

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin basketball score vs Illinois Big Ten tournament championship