Writen by sidhanta

[{"selector":"#anim-c9de3994-cd10-4c9c-b956-dc33395fd357 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Indiana men’s basketball beats top seed Illinois, advances to Big Ten Tournament semifinal

Indiana men’s basketball needed a win against No. 8 seed Michigan on Thursday in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament to even be in the conversation to make

[{"selector":"#anim-79038697-16e5-48b8-ae8d-475e04aca0ae [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(35.21169345865223%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.14,.34,.47,.9)","fill":"forwards"}]

On Friday, it continued its winning ways and likely punched its ticket to the NCAA Tournament by taking down No. 1 seed 65-63 Illinois in the quarterfinals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

[{"selector":"#anim-5a120efc-237b-4563-ae5c-b3c7d8962a45 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(34.249999904429615%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

Indiana advanced to the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament for the first time since 2013 and became the first No. 9 seed to accomplish that feat since 2002.

[{"selector":"#anim-56171d79-0853-4c7d-b15e-6e52bfee5ff2 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.284090795523493%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

While Indiana’s showing in the conference tournament is likely enough to make the NCAA Tournament,

[{"selector":"#anim-76de60a9-40ac-4f1e-979b-fe4a2666a715 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

senior guard Xavier Johnson and junior forward Trayce Jackson-Davis both reiterated just making the semifinal isn’t their goal.

[{"selector":"#anim-0a77a70f-d777-4e9e-a3d5-63342670ed8a [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(35.53314687707193%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

Indiana and Illinois went back and forth the entire second half Friday. The lead switched hands seven times after halftime, and in the final five minutes neither team took a lead larger than 3 points.

[{"selector":"#anim-0c0aa800-61c9-4905-bef3-63b6f42b9622 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-34.249999904429615%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

Illinois junior center Kofi Cockburn, who finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds, made a pair of free throws to take a 63-62 lead with 33 seconds left to play.

[{"selector":"#anim-01a61d82-21e2-4232-a6ba-77d9cabe0d0d [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(31.284090795523493%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.14,.34,.47,.9)","fill":"forwards"}]

Purdue basketball defeats Penn State to advance to semifinal round