After an 85-69 win over Morehead State in the first round of the NCAA tournament, Illinois men’s basketball is advancing to the second round against Duquesne on Saturday. With winning momentum but a recent history of early tournament exits, University students weigh in on the Illini’s performance.
“We were wondering whether or not we would actually choke,” said Anvit Nidadavolu, sophomore in Engineering.
At halftime, the game was within one point, but Illinois was the heavy favorite, ranked a three-seed, while Morehead State was a 14-seed.
“I was a little stressed, but we pulled through,” said Nithilan Elangovan, sophomore in Engineering.
Elangovan attributed much of Illinois’ success in the game to graduate student guard Marcus Domask and fifth-year guard Terrence Shannon Jr.
Get The Daily Illini in your inbox!
“Domask — he was having a tough start at the beginning, but he ended up playing through to the triple-double, and Terrence is always the best on the floor at any given moment,” Elangovan said.
Shannon put up 26 points while Domask posted an impressive 12 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists for only the 10th triple-double in NCAA tournament history.
Elangovan and Nidadavolu also commended redshirt junior forward Dain Dainja, who came off the bench for 21 points.
“I’m excited for the future of the team,” said Amen Ausar, senior in LAS.
Illinois has been unable to advance past the second round in the last three tournament appearances, but Ausar is still confident this year will be different.
“I think it’s going to be the same result as the first game — a win for the Illini,” Ausar said about Saturday’s game.
Others are still hopeful but are weary of the upcoming competition.
There are no promises, Elangovan said. “It’s a one-game-at-a-time thing.”
