Illinois 79, Purdue 59: Sam's the man

"He was active, he's so good defensively," Groce said. "The stat sheet doesn't even come close to telling the story. He makes winning plays; Sam's a winner."

"Defense on (A.J.) Hammonds (10 points), keeping balls alive, offensive boards, going (to the glass) every time, some of the little things Sam does to help our team," Tyler Griffey said.

Marcus Jackson