Canada’s Will Riley had Illinois and Kentucky on his listing of finalists when it got here time to make a school determination final summer season.
The native of Kitchener, Ont. selected the Preventing Illini, and now he’ll get to face the college he took a cross on at March Madness.
The Canadian freshman caught fireplace within the second half as sixth-seeded Illinois beat No. 11 Xavier 86-73 on Friday in Milwaukee.
It units up a battle towards No. 3 Kentucky within the Midwest Area on Sunday.
Riley made eight pictures in a row after lacking his first three and completed with a game-high 22 factors towards Xavier.
“Actually, I really feel prefer it’s undoubtedly a giant confidence factor coming into it,” mentioned the six-foot-eight Riley, who picked issues up towards the tip of the common season after a prolonged stretch the place he struggled.
“My mindset wasn’t proper all through that little hole. I used to be simply taking part in with my head down. Now, I do know my position, I do know what coach needs of me. I simply established that. I performed the way in which that these guys need me to play.”
The CBS broadcast confirmed a shot of his mom, Tracy, in a Workforce Canada jersey cheering as her son was interviewed after the buzzer.
Illinois coach Brad Underwood additionally praised Riley for his defensive enhancements.
“I imply, that is the place his progress has been from the primary day that he acquired right here. I am undecided he may guard you in all honesty (earlier within the season),” Underwood informed a reporter after the sport. “Now he is a man that is utilizing his size, he is taking part in with out concern. Had a few nice blocks. He is anticipating higher. He is understanding scouting stories higher. All of that stuff is simply progress.
“He is a man we ask a number of on that finish. He can do a number of various things due to that size and his athleticism.”
In the meantime, Kasparas Jakucionis completed one rebound shy of a triple-double and Illinois was good from the foul line within the win.
Jakucionis had 16 factors, 10 assists and 9 rebounds. Tomislav Ivisic added 20 factors and 10 rebounds. Kylan Boswell scored 15 factors.
Illinois led all through the final 33 1/2 minutes and went 18 of 18 from the free throw line and 12 of 30 from 3-point vary. The Illini additionally outrebounded Xavier 45-25.
“If that wasn’t their finest, then they’re actual, actual good,” Xavier coach Sean Miller mentioned.
Ivisic, a 7-foot-1 centre from Croatia, went 4 of 9 from 3-point vary. His 4 3-pointers had been essentially the most by a 7-footer in an NCAA Event recreation.
Dailyn Swain had a career-high 27 factors to go together with eight rebounds for Xavier (22-12). Ryan Conwell and Dayvion McKnight added 12 factors apiece.
Xavier trailed 40-37 within the opening minute of the second half when Riley blocked Conwell’s driving layup try. Tre White sank a 3-pointer on lllinois’ ensuing possession to begin an 8-0 run. Jakucionis capped the spurt by changing a three-point play with 18:16 left to give the Illini the primary double-digit lead.
Two nights after rallying from 13 factors down to beat Texas within the First 4, Xavier couldn’t come all the way in which again from a double-digit deficit this time.
Xavier did get the margin down to six on a few events with about quarter-hour left, however Illinois surged once more and ultimately led by as many as 17. Xavier acquired the lead down to 76-68 with 4:04 left, however Riley answered with a 3-pointer.
Xavier: Zach Freemantle, Xavier’s main scorer, struggled towards Illinois’ measurement. Freemantle entered the night time averaging 17.2 factors and seven rebounds. The sixth-year senior shot 2 of 9 and had 5 factors and three rebounds.
Illinois: If Jakucionis had pulled down one rebound, Illinois would have produced a triple-double within the NCAA Event for a second straight 12 months. Marcus Domask had the tenth triple-double in NCAA Event historical past final season with 12 factors, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in a first-round victory over Morehead State.
Illinois will search to advance past the primary weekend of March Madness for a second straight 12 months. The Illini reached a regional ultimate final season earlier than dropping 77-52 to eventual nationwide champion UConn.
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