By IlliniGuys staff

March 2nd, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

MINNEAPOLIS, Mn. - Big Ten 1st teamer Makira Cook celebrated her new title with a game-high 24 points as 6-seed Illinois cruised to the 81-55 victory over Rutgers in their Big Ten tournament opener Thursday night.

The 26-point win is the Illini's largest ever in a Big Ten tournament game, eclipsing the 67-42 win over Wisconsin in 2021.

It's the fourth year in a row that Illinois (22-8,11-7 in Big Ten) has won their first game in the annual March tournament, but now comes the challenge:  winning a pair of Big Ten tournament games for the first time since 2011.

It was already the first time the Illini had earned a first-round bye since 2015 and they looked well-rested and focused against a Scarlet Knights team they dominated twice during the regular season. Cook hit 10-of-13 of her shots and all-Big Ten 2nd teamer Genesis Bryant locked in on 8-of-11 on her way to a 21-point night.  The pair combined to connect on 7-of-12 three point shots.

Adalia McKenzie, earning all-Big Ten honorable mention this week and playing in her hometown Target Center where the former Miss Basketball won a pair of state titles added 12 points.

Freshman Kaylene Smikle scored 19 points as Rutgers (12-20, 5-13) finishes its season.

IIlinois now moves on to Friday's quarterfinals matchup against 5th ranked Maryland, who comes in as the 3-seed in the field.  The Terrapins beat the Illini 82-71 in College Park on February 12th.  That game will be the last of four quarterfinal matchups on Big Ten Network.

The IlliniGuys are the only Illini media at the Big Ten tournament.  Stay with us for complete coverage of the Fighting Illini this weekend in Minneapolis.