Although many of the faces are new, Illinois and Indiana produced yet another classic Tuesday.

Indiana’s Yogi Ferrell and Illinois’ Nnanna Egwu and Tracy Abrams were the only starters remaining from last year’s memorable game at Assembly Hall, but the first matchup between the two programs at State Farm Center proved to be as exciting. Illinois escaped with a 83-80 overtime win against Indiana on Tuesday, and late game heroics were needed once again for the Illini to prevail.

This Illinois team has a flair for the dramatic. Six of Illinois’ last eight games heading into this matchup were determined by single digits and this game was no different. The only time either team created some separation in this game is when Illinois led 21-13 with 9:02 remaining in the first half. Neither team was able to garner a bigger lead the rest of the way.

This game may be remembered more for the matchup between Rayvonte Rice and Ferrell than Illinois and Indiana. The two had it going all game long Tuesday. Rice was just sensational yet again. He may have another Big Ten Player of the Week heading his way after finishing with 29 points, eight rebounds, three steals and a block.

Although Rice hit a couple long balls, his best work came in the paint. Rice attempted a whopping 15 free throws, none more important than his two makes to seal the Illini win with two seconds left. Rice has solidified himself as not only the best player on the team, but one of the best players inside the Big Ten. The step up in competition didn’t faze the Drake transfer. The player Rice guarded for much of the night, Ferrell, was just as spectacular.

Ferrell scored just seven points in last season’s classic as he fed the ball to future top-five NBA draft picks Cody Zeller and Victor Oladipo. Ferrell has thrived in a go-to role this season for the Hoosiers, entering this contest averaging 16.8 points per game, up from 7.6 a season ago. Ferrell dominated any defender on him, leading all players with 30 points and five 3-pointers. His contested step-back 3-pointer with three seconds left nearly gave the Hoosiers a second life.

Ferrell attempted seven free throws in this game, which didn’t even lead his team. Noah Vonleh, a freshman phenom for the Hoosiers, was the most physical opponent Illinois has faced this season. Vonleh gave Egwu fits throughout the game, finishing with 16 points, nine rebounds, two steals, four blocks, and 12 free-throw attempts. The future NBA lottery pick even flashed some perimeter game, draining two of his three 3-pointer attempts. If it wasn’t for his foul trouble he might’ve had an ever bigger game.

In addition to the subpar defense Egwu played on Vonleh, he shot just 3-for-11 from the field and 0-for-5 from behind the arc. Illinois as a whole shot only 2-of-17 from behind the arc, so maybe the poor long-range shooting was contagious.

Egwu didn’t give up despite his struggles on both ends of the floor on Tuesday. Egwu played stout defense down the stretch beginning with his heads up help defense on Evan Gordon’s potential game-winning jumper to end regulation. Egwu then began the overtime period with his first successful jump shot of the game. He also hit two clutch free throws with 21 seconds left after Indiana cut the Illinois lead to one. His two makes came after Rice and Joseph Bertrand combined to go 1-for-4 from the stripe in the two previous possessions.

Illinois can’t be taken lightly anymore. Illinois has dealt with adversity time and time again and persevered when it mattered most. The Illini have had five games decided by three points or fewer and won four of those contests. This team isn’t scared of tense moments, it lives for them.

Michigan State, Ohio State and Wisconsin are some of the usual suspects that will be atop the Big Ten throughout the season. But with Illinois currently sitting at 12-2 and looking ready to take on better competition, don’t be surprised if the Illini creep into the upper-tier of the Big Ten this season.

Michael is a senior in Media. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @The_MDubb