Levi Randolph scored 20
points, grabbed seven rebounds and dished out five assists as the
sixth-seeded Alabama Crimson Tide destroyed the third-seeded
Illinois Fighting Illini, 79-58, in the first round of the National
Invitation Tournament at Coleman Coliseum.
Rodney Cooper contributed 19 points on 6-of-9 shooting, and Retin
Obasohan added 15 points with seven rebounds to help Alabama
(19-14), which advances to the second round of the NIT to take on
second-seeded Miami-Florida. Justin Coleman chipped in 10 points
off the bench in the win.
Malcolm Hill scored 22 points and dished out six assists to pace
Illinois (19-14). Rayvonte Rice collected 12 points with six
boards, and Kendrick Nunn posted 10 points in the defeat.
