André Curbelo and Illinois win the NCAA Big Ten Championship

Indianapolis – Illinois, number 3 in the country, has reached an important goal. The next one will be even more difficult.

When the Fighting Illini celebrated their first Big Ten Tournament title since 2005 with a 91-88 victory over Ohio State (No. 9) on Sunday, they quickly focused on their No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament and the opportunity that this offers.

“It was crazy to think about all the things we have achieved and how I got there during my visit to Coach (Brad) Underwood and I told him these are the things we can achieve,” Ayo Dosunmu said after he was called Player Plus. Excellent for the tournament.

Especially considering the peculiarities of this season.

Despite playing the regular season for minimal fans, Illini (23-6) hoisted the trophy under the video board in the center of the field and watched the squad with a crowd of orange-clad fans at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Everything seemed lined up perfectly for the deep and versatile Illini.

Dosunmu, Kofi Cockburn and the Puerto Rican André Curbelo they scored 16 points. Cockburn and Dosunmu each had nine rebounds and played the lead in overtime. Cockburn sank the first free throws with 1:39 to go and Curbelo followed with a huge 15-foot shot with 50 seconds left to make it 84-81 and Illinois finally sealed it at the free-throw line.

The 19-year-old Puerto Rican, who is in his freshman year, added another after being named Best Sixth Man at the conference, and he was also added to the All-Freshman team.

Illinois will begin its next quest against Drexel, the 16th seed, on Friday after winning a total of seven times in a row and 14 of 15 with six consecutive wins over the top 10 enemies.