Big Ten basketball report for January 17 - top contenders win the day

Key Highlights

• 13 Illinois 77-67 vs MinnesotaIllinois proves to be the deeper team in yet another matchup.
• The Fighting Illini were too big and too strong for the Golden Gophers, and that led to a 10-point victory.
• The Gophers' defensive strategy gave the Fighting Illini fits in the first half, and that led to shooting inefficiencies.
• The dominant offense that has been on full display all season long showed up in the second half, and Illinois came out firing on all cylinders, making basket after basket.
• The big man off the bench, Zvonimir, was lights out with 18 points and a 5-8 impressive shooting split.