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Illinois Postgame Notes

Illinois 80, Georgia Southern 71
State Farm Center // Nov. 14, 2014 // Attendance: 15,626 


1. Illinois opened its 110th season of basketball tonight and improved to 97-13 (.882) all-time in season openers. It marks the 16th consecutive season Illinois has opened the season 1-0.

2. Tonight also marked the 53rd season at State Farm Center for the Illini, as they improved to 45-7 (.865) in home openers at State Farm Center and 95-15 (.864) overall in home-openers.

3. For the third straight year, the Orange Krush student section and Illini fans at State Farm Center paid tribute to Coach Groce's alma mater, Taylor University, in a unique way. The Krush replicated Taylor's famous tradition of "Silent Night," where entire gym remains silent from tip-off until the Trojans score their 10th point. When that 10th point is scored, the crowd then erupts into a wild celebration. The Illini faithful executed their version, called "Orange Hush", to perfection, staying quiet for the Illini's first 10 points before erupting in cheers when senior Rayvonte Rice hit a free throw at the 14:10 mark for Illinois' 10th point of the night.

4. Illinois made its final 13 free throws down the stretch and finished 27-of-34 (79.4 percent) from the charity stripe.

5. The Illini forced 16 turnovers and capitalized with a 22-9 advantage in points off turnovers.

6. Senior Rayvonte Rice picked up where he left off last year, pouring in a game-high 24 points in a team-high 32 minutes. Rice registered 10 games with 20 or more points last season.

7. Redshirt-junior Aaron Cosby was second on the team in scoring with 16 points in his Illinois debut, one of four Illini in double figures.

8. Redshirt-senior Ahmad Starks eclipsed 1,000 career points after tallying 10 points in his Illini debut. He notched 991 career points in his three years at Oregon State and now has 1,001 career points.

9. Sophomore Malcolm Hill led the Illini in rebounding with seven boards and reached double figures with 11 points.

10. Senior forward/center Nnanna Egwu protected the rim with four blocks, one shy of his career high.

11. Freshman Leron Black, who finished with six points and four rebounds, was one of three Illini along with Cosby and Starks to make his Illini debut.