Photographer: Heather Coit

Illinois' Brandon Paul (3) celebrates his three-pointer as teammates, Tracy Abrams (13) and Tyler Griffey (42) look on in the second half against Eastern Kentucky at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Former Illinois coach, Lou Henson, and current coach, John Groce, greet each other before the start of the game against Eastern Kentucky at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Illinois' Sam McLaurin (0) looks for an opening around Eastern Kentucky's Corey Walden (2) and Eric Stutz (42) in the second half at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Illinois coach John Groce signals to his team in the first half against Eastern Kentucky at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Illinois' Brandon Paul (3) dunks the ball in the second half against Eastern Kentucky at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Illinois' Joseph Bertrand (2) tries to dribble around Eastern Kentucky's Jeff Johnson (24) and Corey Walden (2) in the second half at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Illinois coach John Groce gathers with, from left, Tracy Abrams, Nnanna Egwu, D.J. Richardson and Tyler Griffey before the second half against Eastern Kentucky at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Illinois' Sam McLaurin (0) takes control of the ball from Eastern Kentucky's Tarius Johnson (34) as Illinois teammate, Myke Henry (20) looks on in the first half at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Illinois' Tracy Abrams (13) goes up for a basket against Eastern Kentucky's Mike Dinunno (3) and Marcus Lewis (12) in the second half at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Illinois' Tyler Griffey (42) tries to keep a grip on the ball as Eastern Kentucky's Tarius Johnson (34) moves in during the second half at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Eastern Kentucky coach Jeff Neubaurer calls out to his team from the sidelines in the second half at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Illinois' Myke Henry (2) dunks the ball in the first half against Eastern Kentucky at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012. Illinois won 66-53.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Illinois' Brandon Paul (3) tries to control the ball as Eastern Kentucky's Corey Walden (2) and Marcus Lewis (12) look on in the second half at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Eastern Kentucky 's Jeff Johnson (24) looks to make a pass against Illinois in the first half at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Eastern Kentucky's Jeff Johnson (24) gets into the game against Illinois in the second half at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Eastern Kentucky 's Jeff Johnson (24) stays focused with Illinois' Sam McLaurin (0) in the second half at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Eastern Kentucky's Jeff Johnson (24) exits the court with teammates after losing 66-53 to Illinois at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Eastern Kentucky's Jeff Johnson, who played basketball for Champaign Centennial High School, meets up with former Centennial teammate and current Illinois player, Rayvonte Rice, after the team's played each other at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Eastern Kentucky's Jeff Johnson, who played basketball for Champaign Centennial High School, meets up with former Centennial teammate and current Illinois player, Rayvonte Rice, after the team's played each other at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Eastern Kentucky's Jeff Johnson, who played basketball for Champaign Centennial High School, gets a hug from his sister, Corinne Kaeding as their father, Greg Johnson, looks on after the game against Illinois at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Eastern Kentucky's Jeff Johnson, who played basketball for Champaign Centennial High School, gets a hug from Centennial assistant basketball coach, Sonny Walker, after the game against Illinois at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Illinois' Tracy Abrams (13) and Eastern Kentucky's Corey Walden (2) struggle for the ball on the floor in the second half at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Eastern Kentucky's Jeff Johnson, far right, who played basketball for Champaign Centennial High School, meets up with former Centennial teammate and current Illinois player, Rayvonte Rice, second from left, and Centennial's Marc Chagnon, far left, and assistant basketball coach there, Sonny Walker, as they pose for Johnson's mother, Sara Johnson, after the team's played each other at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Former Illinois coach Lou Henson, with wife, Mary Henson, waves to fans from the Orange Krush seats before the start of the game against Eastern Kentucky at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Former Illinois coach, Lou Henson, hugs current coach, John Groce, before the start of the game against Eastern Kentucky at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Illinois' Nnanna Egwu (32) stays focused in the second half against Eastern Kentucky at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Eastern Kentucky's Mike Dinunno (3) tries to go up for a basket against Illinois' Nnanna Egwu (32) in the first half at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Illinois' Brandon Paul gathers with teammates, Sam McLaurin (0), Tracy Abrams (13) and Nnanna Egwu (32) on the court in the second half against Eastern Kentucky at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012.