The Illini rallied for 5 runs in the second inning against the Bobcats, and never looked back.  The victory in the Illini's first-ever home NCAA regional sets up a game 4 matchup with Notre Dame.  That game was postponed by rain Saturday, and will be played at 3 p.m. Sunday.

The Fighting Illini begin play in the NIT Tuesday evening, with a game against Alabama in Tuscaloosa, while the ISU Redbirds hosts Wisconsin-Green Bay Wednesday evening in NIT play.

 Michigan State hit 85 percent of its free throws, while Illinois converted less than 29 percent of its shots from the floor

Illinois Freshman, Leron Black, finished with 15 points and a season-high 13 rebounds. Black: "My momma didn't raise no quitter."