Nicholas Baer got hot from outside. Jordan Bohannon and Tyler Cook hooked up for a memorable slam, and Joe Wieskamp contributed a couple of nice plays.
Iowa stopped its four-game slide with one solid all-around performance.
Baer made a career-high five of Iowa’s 12 3-pointers and scored 17 points, helping the Hawkeyes pull away from Illinois for an 83-62 victory on Thursday in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament. Full story
The Hawks get a rematch with Michigan, who they upset in Iowa City earlier this year.
Dan Vasko covered the game for Hawkeye Headquarters. Here are some of the highlights:
The Hawkeyes’ lone senior, @Nicholas_Baer led Iowa with 17 points last night as they defeated Illinois 83-62. Head coach Fran McCaffery praised the Bettendorf native following the game. #B1GTourney pic.twitter.com/TFxNhmL8BM— Dan Vasko (@danvasko) March 15, 2019
Nicholas Baer knows the Iowa-Illinois rivalry is bigger in the Quad Cities than elsewhere. He said the @UnitedCenter crowd took it to another level for the #B1GTourney. #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/BRUqJBqiWA— Hawkeye Headquarters (@HawkeyeHQ) March 15, 2019
After dropping 4-straight to end the regular season the Hawkeyes flipped the script last night, shooting over 50% from the floor. @JWieskamp21 (13 pts) & @Nicholas_Baer (17 pts) each over 60%#B1GTourney @HawkeyeHQ pic.twitter.com/P7fd1GHL6u— Dan Vasko (@danvasko) March 15, 2019
Big night for Iowa and one monster slam by @iamtc25 off the inbounds from @JordanBo_3. Hear what the two had to say about the highlight play@HawkeyeHQ pic.twitter.com/1ueujNPws7— Dan Vasko (@danvasko) March 15, 2019
Tyler Cook said it was nice to pull away again. “Thankfully we were able to get a more comfortable win this time. The late-game shooting and stuff… it gets old quick. I’m glad that we were able to come together and most of all just have fun tonight.” #Hawkeyes #B1GTourney pic.twitter.com/cRVToSsBah— Hawkeye Headquarters (@HawkeyeHQ) March 15, 2019
Connor McCaffery after the #Hawkeyes‘ 83-62 win over Illinois in their #B1GTourney opener. He finished with a game-high 8 assists. pic.twitter.com/w5pxdKzgEs— Hawkeye Headquarters (@HawkeyeHQ) March 15, 2019
Fran McCaffery’s keys to the #Hawkeyes‘ win: “In the second half, we established Cook in the post, got our running game going a little bit more, we really defended and I thought our bench was spectacular tonight.” #B1GTourney pic.twitter.com/Uyv3Hbn7qI— Hawkeye Headquarters (@HawkeyeHQ) March 15, 2019
Asked @iamtc25 about the huge dunk off the inbounds pass: “It was a ton of fun, honestly. There’s a lot of uncertainty because when I spin I lose sight of everything & I’ve got to go find the ball… Jordan gave me a perfect pass & I was able to finish it.” #Hawkeyes #B1GTourney pic.twitter.com/NPHMwNmSbQ— HawkeyeHQ.com’s Ryan Jaster (@Hawkologist) March 15, 2019
What were Joe Wieskamp and Tyler Cook laughing about late in the win? “Before the game he said he wanted me to dunk on someone… and it ended up happening.” #Hawkeyes #B1GTourney pic.twitter.com/KtXfitHz3A— Hawkeye Headquarters (@HawkeyeHQ) March 15, 2019
Hawkeyes leaving the floor following warm-ups #B1GTourney pic.twitter.com/YsMrXyi5iR— Dan Vasko (@danvasko) March 15, 2019
#B1G stage. #B1GTourney pic.twitter.com/A8jRdlMOEF— HawkeyeHQ.com’s Ryan Jaster (@Hawkologist) March 15, 2019
I recognize these guys. #Hawkeyes #B1GTourney @gkittle46 @clairectill @ShelleyTill pic.twitter.com/6v9qsfPgdz— Hawkeye Headquarters (@HawkeyeHQ) March 15, 2019
Herky Hawk @TheREALHerky is ready to go! #B1GTourney pic.twitter.com/PHwhIguSNH— Dan Vasko (@danvasko) March 15, 2019
15 minutes from tip-off here at the United Center. #6 Iowa taking on #11 Illinois. The Hawkeyes won the previous matchup 95-71 in January. #B1GTourney pic.twitter.com/OSDrZS6JOk— Dan Vasko (@danvasko) March 15, 2019
“Starting in 15 minutes.” Uh, no. Someone send word to Canada that the early game is in overtime. #Hawkeyes #B1GTourney @theScore pic.twitter.com/1nPtvnklKR— HawkeyeHQ.com’s Ryan Jaster (@Hawkologist) March 15, 2019
This is where the magic of press conferences happen… later. #B1GTourney pic.twitter.com/9mFpL0egxp— Hawkeye Headquarters (@HawkeyeHQ) March 15, 2019
Thanks, giant banner. #B1GTourney pic.twitter.com/9bfhjj7YFj— HawkeyeHQ.com’s Ryan Jaster (@Hawkologist) March 15, 2019
#Hawkeyes band staying loose behind the scenes before the game. #B1GTourney pic.twitter.com/9nXwFRpFCk— Hawkeye Headquarters (@HawkeyeHQ) March 15, 2019
It’s a #B1G deal here at @UnitedCenter. #B1GTourney pic.twitter.com/GsT0NnPJlB— HawkeyeHQ.com’s Ryan Jaster (@Hawkologist) March 15, 2019
Iowa and Illinois face off after dark in the #B1GTourney #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/ukHHiKAngG— Hawkeye Headquarters (@HawkeyeHQ) March 14, 2019
Also a coverage update for @HawkeyeHQ at the #B1GTourney @danvasko is filling in for me this weekend at the UC as I recover from my appendectomy.
He’ll have full coverage on @Local4NewsWHBF starting tonight. #Hawkeyes https://t.co/aC54VV2BLT— Adam Rossow (@AdamJRossow) March 14, 2019
#Hawkeyes are 4.5-point favorites against the #Illini tonight in the #B1GTourney.
KenPom has Iowa 82-77 w/ 66 pct likelihood of winning.— Adam Rossow (@AdamJRossow) March 14, 2019
The #Hawkeyes will play Illinois on Thursday after the Illini defeat Northwestern 74-69 in overtime. Updated 2019 Big Ten men’s basketball tournament schedule: https://t.co/nv34iWiLuP #B1GTourney pic.twitter.com/loWifLZ42k— HawkeyeHQ.com’s Ryan Jaster (@Hawkologist) March 14, 2019
The @MarsRovers of sideline cameras caught my eye while covering the #Hawkeyes last night, despite being so stealthy. It just blends in. It’s the anti-BoogerMobile. #B1GTourney pic.twitter.com/AfImRgp2xX— HawkeyeHQ.com’s Ryan Jaster (@Hawkologist) March 15, 2019
For more Hawkeyes coverage, follow @AdamJRossow and @HawkeyeHQ on Twitter and Facebook.