Despite the frigid temperatures across the country this weekend, the action on the hardwood didn’t cool off. Wire-to-wire games and historic performances highlighted a Saturday filled with winners and losers.
Winner: Illinois Fighting Illini
Mackey Arena is often considered one of the most hostile venues in college basketball, but No. 11 Illinois wasn’t fazed on Saturday. The Fighting Illini grabbed the lead with over two minutes remaining and outlasted No. 4 Purdue for the 88-82 upset.
Freshman guard Keaton Wagler scored 46 points on 13-of-17 shooting and had 24 of Illinois’ 39 first-half points. The incredible performance was the most points scored by a player in a road victory against a top-10 opponent in the AP Poll era.
