Purdue 68, Illinois 61: 'They made more toughness plays'

"They made more toughness plays at the end of the game," first-year Illinois coach John Groce said.

"That's something we've got to get better at," Illinois guard Tracy Abrams said..

"A couple of plays Byrd made late in the game, I thought were winning plays, I thought they were toughness plays. He can do that," Groce said. "I really respect him a lot. Enjoyed watching him on film. I think he's a tough son of a gun and he made plays at the end of the game."

Marcus Jackson