Illini Offense Explodes in Rout of Rutgers

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) – With one of Illinois' greatest players in attendance, Trent Frazier made sure to put on a show at the State Farm Center. He knocked down five 3-pointers in the first half, including a personal 9-0 run, as former Illini Deron Williams applauded from a courtside seat.

Frazier finished with 17 points and four assists, helping lead Illinois (12-11, 2-8 Big Ten Conference) to a 91-60 victory Tuesday night. He has scored in double figures for six consecutive games, averaging 17.7 points during that stretch.

"Obviously, midway through the first half Trent just went bonkers," coach Brad Underwood said. "That was fun to watch. But he's capable of that."

The Illini also had a strong performance from Kipper Nichols. In the second start of his career, the first of this season, he poured in a team-high 19 points, six rebounds and three steals. He shot 7 of 12 from the field and a perfect 4 for 4 from the free-throw line.

Nichols has had an inconsistent sophomore season with eight games of 14 points or more, and nine games with five points or less. However, over the last three games he's gotten into a groove, averaging 19.3 points a game.

"There's a dimension he brings to our team," Underwood said. "When Kipper does the little things. . His game will go to a whole new level."

Illinois pressured the ball all night, scoring 37 points off of a season-high 25 turnovers by Rutgers. The Illini also outscored the Scarlet Knights 11-5 in fast break points.

Rutgers (12-12. 2-9) entered the contest averaging a Big Ten-worst 66.7 points per game and it showed. The Scarlet Knights went roughly 10 minutes in the first half without a made field goal and shot just 42.2 percent from the field.

Corey Sanders is Rutgers' leading scorer, but he struggled for the second consecutive game. He was held scoreless last week against Penn State and followed it up with a 10-point performance against Illinois. Over his past two games he has made just three shots on 19 attempts.

"Corey's working at it," coach Steve Pikiell said. "He's going through a bit of a (rough patch) but I loved him tonight. He played good defense, he played hard."

Geo Baker led the Scarlet Knights with 19 points, while the Illini had five players score in double digits.

Rutgers has now lost 11 straight conference road games and has won only one since joining the Big Ten in 2014.

The 31-point victory earned Illinois its first Big Ten winning streak since March of last season.

Illinois will hit the road and face No. 17 Ohio State on Sunday (Noon ET/11 am CT on FS1).

LEGEND RETURNS

Williams returned to campus and watched Illinois play for the first time since going pro nearly 13 years ago. He is a three-time NBA All-Star and won gold medals with Team USA in 2008 and 2012. However, at his alma mater Williams is best known for his 3-pointer that helped propel the Illini into the Final Four in 2005.

"He's done things that everyone in the locker room aspires to do and dreams about," Underwood said. "To me he's the ultimate winner."

TEAM NOTES

    Illinois won for the second straight game.
    Illinois shot a season-best 56.9 percent from the field (33-58).
    Illinois' 91 points were the most allowed in game this season by Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights entered the game as the Big Ten leader in scoring defense and ranked No. 5 in nation (62.0 ppg).
    Illinois' 31-point margin of victory is the Illini's largest in a Big Ten game since beating Indiana by 31 on 1/10/2009 (76-45).
    Illinois beat Rutgers by 31 points, the Scarlet Knights' sixth-worst Big Ten loss ever.
    Illinois made 11 three-pointers (11-27), tied for its fourth-most in a game this season (high 14 vs. Iowa).
    Illinois forced 25 Rutgers turnovers, the Scarlet Knight's season high by six (19 vs. NJIT) and their most against a Big Ten opponent by 10 (15 vs. Penn State.)
    Illinois' 37 points off turnovers were its most in a game this season.
    Illinois had five players in double figures (19 Nichols, 17 Frazier, 14 Black, 12 Alstork, 11 Finke).
    Illinois made seven 3-pointers in the first half, tied for its second-most in a half this season.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES

    Freshman guard Trent Frazier made five 3-pointers, all in a 3:54 span of the first half (9:50-5:56). It was his second-most made 3-points in a game this season (7 vs. Iowa).
    Redshirt sophomore forward Kipper Nichols made his first start of the season and the second of his career. He led Illinois with 19 points on 7-of-12 shooting, his second-most points in a game this season (27 vs. Michigan State).