The Big Ten delivered all season while cementing its place as the top conference in college basketball, and Sunday’s conference tournament final served as a fitting cap. No. 2 seed Illinois outlasted No. 5 seed Ohio State 91-88 in an overtime battle of heavyweights destined for great seeds in the NCAA Tournament. Ohio State battled back from an early 27-10 deficit to take their first lead of the game with 5:35 left. But the Illini found their footing from there to lock up their first conference tournament title since 2005. That 2005 team went on to appear in the national title game, and this team has similar aspirations as it heads to the Big Dance with a 23-6 record. Despite the final loss, the Big Ten Tournament represented a return to form for Ohio State (21-9), which had dropped four straight to close the regular season. The Buckeyes won three…
Continue Reading: Illinois vs. Ohio State score: Illini secure first Big Ten Tournament title since 2005 with win over Buckeyes
