For the first 70 seconds, the Jayhawks were perfect. Drew Gooden scored the game's first four points in the first minute and ten seconds. Unfortunately, Kansas would not hit another basket for the next ten minutes. The rest of the game turned into the Frank Williams show.
Williams, the Illini's standout sophomore and Big Ten Player of the Year, scored 30 points, and led Illinois on both the offensive and defensive fronts. Illinois also had more depth on the bench which let them survive three players fouling out.
By halftime, Illinois had a twelve point lead. In the second half, Kansas battled back, closing within five points with just over nine minutes to go. However, for the rest of the game, Kansas would only make one more field goal--a Nick Collison three-pointer.
In determining what went wrong for the Jayhawks, the prime focus lies at the free throw line. Kansas shot only 18 for 35. Illinois outrebounded Kansas 45-33.
Nick Collison scored 23 points for Kansas, and snagged seven rebounds. Kirk Hinrich scored 14 points, Drew Gooden scored 13 and Kenny Gregory added eleven. Jeff Boschee hit just one three-pointer for all of his points. Eric Chenowith, Brett Ballard, Jeff Carey and Lewis Harrison all saw action, but did not score.
Illinois advances to face Arizona on Sunday for the right to move on to the Final Four in Minneapolis.
Jayhawk fans can welcome the team back to Kansas. The team charter will return to Forbes Field in Topeka at 9 p.m. Saturday night and the team will then proceed to Allen Fieldhouse, arriving at approximately 10 p.m. Doors to Allen Fieldhouse will open one hour prior to the team's arrival in Lawrence.
See tomorrow's Lawrence Journal-World, and KUSports.com, for full coverage of tonight's game.
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