Photographer: Heather Coit

Illinois' Brandon Paul (3) makes a basket attempt against Penn State's Brandon Taylor (10) in the second half at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013. Illinois defeated Penn State 64-59.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Illinois' Nnanna Egwu (32) and D.J. Richardson (1) guard Penn State's Ross Travis (43) in the first half at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Illinois' Tyler Griffey (42) celebrates a collaborative moment between teammates D.J. Richardson (1) and Brandon Paul (3) after tying the game with Penn State in the first half at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Illinois' Nnanna Egwu (32) dunks the ball against Penn State in the second half at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013. Illinois defeated Penn State 64-59.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Illinois Coach John Groce and Tyler Griffey (42) share a moment during a timeout against Penn State in the second half at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013. Illinois defeated Penn State 64-59.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Illinois ' Sam McLaurin (0) tries to keep control of the ball from Penn State's Jermaine Marshall (11) and Jon Graham (25) in the second half at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013. Illinois defeated Penn State 64-59.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Penn State's Jermaine Marshall (11) pulls down a rebound against Illinois' Tyler Griffey (42) in the second half at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013. Illinois defeated Penn State 64-59.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Illinois' Joseph Bertrand (2) pressures Penn State's Ross Travis (43) in the second half at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013. Illinois defeated Penn State 64-59.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Illinois' D. J. Richardson (1) looks for an opening against Penn State's Jermaine Marshall (11) in the second half at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013. Illinois defeated Penn State 64-59.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Illinois' Joseph Bertrand (13) tries to control the ball against Penn State's Akosa Maduegbunam (1) in the second half at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013. Illinois defeated Penn State 64-59.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Illinois' D.J. Richardson (1) waits with Penn State's D.J. Newbill (2) for the game to continue in the second half at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013. Illinois defeated Penn State 64-59.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Illinois Coach John Groce cheers on his team against Penn State in the second half at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013. Illinois defeated Penn State 64-59.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Illinois' Nnanna Egwu (32) prepares to grab the ball from Penn State's Sasa Borovnjak (21) as Illinois' Tracy Abrams (13) looks on in the first half at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Illinois' Brandon Paul (3) shoots over Penn State's Nick Colella (20) in the second half at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013. Illinois defeated Penn State 64-59.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Penn State Coach Patrick Chambers signals to his team in the first half at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Penn State's Jon Graham (25) loses control of the ball as Illinois' D.J. Richardson (1) looks on in the first half at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Illinois' Tracy Abrams (13) tries to block a pass attempt made by Penn State's D.J. Newbill (2) as Illinois' Tyler Griffey (42) looks on in the first half at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Penn State's Jermaine Marshall (11) tries to drive the ball past Illinois' Tracy Abrams (13) in the first half at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Illinois' Sam McLaurin (0) and Tyler Griffey (42) battle for the ball under the net against Penn State's Sasa Borovnjak (21) in the first half at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Illinois' Brandon Paul (3) goes up for a basket against Penn State's Brandon Taylor (10) and Sasa Borovnjak (21) in the second half at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013. Illinois defeated Penn State 64-59.