After cruising through the non-conference schedule with a 10-2 record and a No. 24 national ranking, Illinois got shocked into remembering what Big Ten play is like Thursday in its conference opener.
An inspired Purdue team, playing well for the first time this season, came into Assembly Hall Thursday and upset the Illini 75-69 before 15,364.
The Illini beat tough opponents like Missouri and UCLA but also had run roughshod over opponents like Coppin State and Columbia, and this Purdue team was not supposed to offer much more competition.
But Thursday, the Boilermakers played more like three-time defending Big Ten champions.
The Illini struggled against Purdue’s zone as if they’d never seen one before. Illinois started slowly but briefly found its shot, taking a nine-point lead midway through the first half. But Purdue’s zone frustrated Illinois, which made just 28 percent of their first-half shots and trailed 31-28.
The Illini were able to snatch the lead back briefly in the second half at 47-45. But Purdue found its long-range shot, nailing five straight three-pointers to take an eight-point lead with 10 minutes 12 seconds to play. Illinois (10-3 overall, 0-1 Big Ten) pulled to within two on Chris Gandy’s bucket with 47 seconds left, but Purdue (6-5, 1-0) won it at the line.
Garris finished with six points and Notree 11 for Illinois.
