Illinois guard Tracy Abrams, left, is fouled by Northwestern forward Jared Swopshire (12) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game on Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Darrell Hoemann)

Northwestern forward Jared Swopshire (12) gets the defensive rebound ahead of teammate Reggie Hearn (11) and Illinois forward Sam McLaurin (0) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game on Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Darrell Hoemann)

Illinois guard Brandon Paul, right, tries to move past Northwestern forward Jared Swopshire (12) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game on Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Darrell Hoemann)

Northwestern guard Dave Sobolewski (3) looks to work past Illinois guard D.J. Richardson (1) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game on Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Darrell Hoemann)

Illinois guard Brandon Paul, left, shoots past Northwestern guard Reggie Hearn (11) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game on Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Darrell Hoemann)

Northwestern guard Reggie Hearn (11) takes a pass as he moves to shoot past Illinois forward Sam McLaurin (0) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game on Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Darrell Hoemann)

Illinois guard Tracy Abrams, left, pressures Northwestern forward Kale Abrahamson, right, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game on Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Darrell Hoemann)

Illinois guard Tracy Abrams (13) attempts to shoot past Northwestern forward Mike Turner during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game on Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Darrell Hoemann)

Illinois forward Tyler Griffey (42) pulls down a rebound ahead of Northwestern guard Tre Demps (14) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game on Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Darrell Hoemann)

Illinois forward/center Nnanna Egwu (32) shoots over Northwestern center Alex Olah (22) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game on Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Darrell Hoemann)

Northwestern guard Dave Sobolewski, right, moves the ball past Illinois forward/center Nnanna Egwu (32) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game on Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013, in Champaign, Ill. Northwestern defeated Illinois 68-54. (AP Photo/Darrell Hoemann)

Northwestern guard Reggie Hearn (11) gets past Illinois guard D.J. Richardson (1) and guard Brandon Paul (3) as he heads for the basket during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game on Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013, in Champaign, Ill. Northwestern defeated Illinois 68-54. (AP Photo/Darrell Hoemann)

Northwestern forward Jared Swopshire (12) shoots past Illinois' Nnanna Egwu (32) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013, in Champaign, Ill. Northwestern won 68-54. (AP Photo/Darrell Hoemann)

Illinois guard Joseph Bertrand (2) and Northwestern forward Mike Turner (10) battle for a rebound during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game on Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013, in Champaign, Ill. Northwestern defeated Illinois 68-54. (AP Photo/Darrell Hoemann)

A member of the Illinois student fan section Orange Krush is escorted from the game after being ejected by official Jim Burr during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Northwestern, Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013, in Champaign, Ill. Northwestern defeated Illinois 68-54. (AP Photo/Darrell Hoemann)