Illinois freshman explodes for 46 points to lead top-5 upset on the road
By David Wasson
Published:
Have a day, Keaton Wagler.
The Illinois freshman guard exploded for a career-high 46 points to help the 11th-ranked Illini upset fourth-ranked Purdue 88-82 on Saturday afternoon in West Lafayette, Ind.
Wagler shot 13 for 17 from the field and canned 9 of 11 3-point attempts in the outburst. He also was 11 of 13 from the free-throw line. According to ESPN, Wagler’s 46 points are the most an individual has ever scored in a road victory over a top-10 opponent in AP Poll history. They were also the most points ever scored by a visitor at Purdue’s Mackey Arena.
Wagler scored 14 straight points to open the game and had 24 of the Illini’s 39 first-half points. The Illini connected on 18 of their 38 attempts from beyond the arc while Purdue (17-3 overall, 7-2 Big Ten) was 7 of 19 from deep.
Illinois (17-3, 8-1) played without reserve center Jason Jakstys, who was out with an injury. Illini coach Brad Underwood previously announced guard Kyle Boswell, who averages 14.3 points per game, will be out at least a month with a fractured bone in his right hand. Neither absence bothered the Illini with the way Wagler was scorching the nets.
Wagler’s previous career high was 23 points, which he hit against Ohio State on Dec. 9. He had also scored 22 points 3 times this season – against Northwestern on Jan. 14, against Missouri on Dec. 22, and against FGCU on Nov. 7.
An APSE national award-winning writer and editor, David Wasson has almost four decades of experience in the print journalism business in Florida and Alabama. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and several national magazines and websites. He also hosts Gulfshore Sports with David Wasson, weekdays from 3-5 pm across Southwest Florida and on FoxSportsFM.com. His Twitter handle: @JustDWasson.
