Illinois Adds to Success at Wisconsin

For every other Big Ten Conference team, Wisconsin’s Kohl Center isn’t the place to go for a little peace and quiet.

But for the second year in a row, Illinois was able to enjoy the silence.

Dee Brown and Rich McBride each scored 16 points, and the sixth-ranked Illini beat the Badgers, 66-51, Tuesday night, picking up their fourth consecutive victory over the Badgers and second in a row in one of the nation’s toughest road venues.

“That’s what you want to hear on the road -- silence,” Illinois Coach Bruce Weber said. “You start seeing the people start walking up the stairs, and now you’re starting to feel good.”

Illinois remains the only Big Ten team to beat the Badgers at home in five seasons under Coach Bo Ryan.

Senior guard Dee Brown has been humbled at Wisconsin -- “my sophomore year, I got 30 put on me by Devin Harris,” he said -- but his last memories there will be victories.

“Bo Ryan does an excellent job in this arena,” Brown said. “So for us to come in here and win two years in a row is special to me.”

Illinois, 20-2 overall and 6-2 in the Big Ten, took sole possession of first place in the Big Ten, moving half a game ahead of Michigan and Iowa.

Brown had 12 points in the second half, and forward Brian Randle finished with 12 points and 13 rebounds.

The Badgers (15-6, 5-3) have lost four of five.

Alando Tucker scored 19 points for Wisconsin.