Coleman Hawkins following Elite 8 loss to UConn: 'I think this was my last ride at Illinois'
The Illinois Fighting Illini made things interesting for the first half of their Elite Eight matchup vs. the top-seeded UConn Huskies. And then the Huskies went on a 30-0 run, extinguishing all hope of an Illinois win. The Fighting Illini were the latest victim of the UConn warpath, falling 77-52 in blowout fashion. Shortly after the loss, Illinois power forward Coleman Hawkins let fans know that was his last game with the team.
“I think this was my last ride at Illinois,” Hawkins said.
Hawkins was only two of 10 from the field for the game, connecting on just one of his seven three-point attempts. He finished with just five points and four rebounds. Hawkins was one of the most critical pieces of the Illinois roster all season long, averaging 12.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.8 assists. One of the more complete players in the country, he also averaged 1.5 steals per game and 1.1 blocks per game, while ranking second on the team in three-point percentage (37.9%).
Hawkins brought home second team All-Big Ten honors from the Associated Press in his senior year.
Illinois’ superstar Terrence Shannon, Jr. just had eight points against UConn. Keep in mind, Shannon had erupted for more than 25 points in the previous three games of the 2024 NCAA Tournament. Before Illinois getting blown out by UConn in the Elite Eight, he had put together seven straight 25-plus point performances.
They’re not the only team to fall victim to UConn. This year’s version of the Huskies has led every single game in the tournament by at least 30 points. They’re playing like one of the most dominant teams in the history of the sport. Illinois just happened to be the latest team in their warpath.
While the sting of Saturday night’s whipping might still be fresh in their minds, Illinois still had a remarkable season. They won the 2024 Big Ten Tournament Championship, and the program punched their tickets to the Elite Eight for the first time since Dee Brown and Deron Williams did it back in 2005. It’s never easy make a deep run like that in the NCAA Tournament, and Fighting Illini fans should remember that even if the ending was brutal to watch.