Moretti’s contribution sparks big day for Illini bench
WCIA — Illinois men’s basketball got the win over Iowa on Saturday, a course correction after a bad loss to Penn State earlier in the week.
The bench was as big as ever, accounting for 34 of the team’s 95 points. Redshirt freshman Niccolo Moretti scored his first points in more than a month in the win, a career-high nine points for the Italian. After missing two months with a foot injury earlier in the season, Moretti talked after the game about the struggles of going through the recovery and what it means to have his teammates’ support.
“My teammates, staff, always try to stay around me and keep me focused mentally,” Moretti said. “Came into the gym more than everybody else, with treatment. But it was hard mentally, first of all, and trying to get into practice and you’re not able to do what you used to. I’m glad now that they be helping me and I’m glad they’re around me.”
Minnesota is up next for the Illini on Wednesday at 8 p.m. on Big Ten Network. With four games left in the regular season, Illinois needs just two wins to guarantee themselves a double bye in the Big Ten Tournament.
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