No. 21 Illinois 73, No. 24 Gonzaga 61

Most Illini fans scoffed when Gonzaga coach Mark Few compared this year’s team to the 2005 Final Four team. After Saturday’s 73-61 victory over the Bulldogs, there may be a few more believers joining Few’s bandwagon. Illinois (8-1) drilled nine three-pointers in the second half, with senior Mike Tisdale making three in the first five minutes to break open a double-digit lead. He finished with 15 points and five rebounds. While Mike Tisdale was doing his best Dee Brown impression, Demetri McCamey continued to channel his inner-Deron Williams. In fact, McCamey tied Williams for third place on the career assists list with seven assists. He also added 11 points, as all five starters scored in double digits for the second time this season. Brandom Paul returned to the starting lineup, replacing Bill Cole. Both players responded well. Paul scored 12 points and Cole added eight in 21 minutes off the bench. This was the second game of a four-game series against Gonzaga (4-...