Illinois' Dain Dainja Enjoying Every Bit Of Playing In Front Of Hometown Crowd

Illinois Fighting Illini center Dain Dainja already plays with lots of emotion.

Now, multiply that 10 and that's his intensity level during this year's Big Ten conference tournament in Minneapolis. It's because Dainja grew up about 10 minutes from Target Center.

"For me, it's a little bit more motivation," Dainja said. "I've got both of my parents here. That just means a lot for me and then all my friends who supported me from Day One. It just gives me more energy."

It showed in Friday's quarterfinals victory against Ohio State. Dainja was one of the catalysts that keyed the Illini's 10-point, second-half comeback. He finished with 18 points and eight rebounds.

"It feels good to be able to come back and play in front of a whole bunch of friends and family, coaches," Dainja said. "It's just a good feeling to be able to come back and get a W."

Dainja, who starred at Park Center High School in the Twin Cities, said playing in front of the hometown crowd was more than enough motivation. The reward is getting another game in the tournament.

The Illini play Nebraska today in the semifinals. One more win and Dainja gets the opportunity to go for a championship in front of some of his biggest supporters.

"I just didn't want to lose," Dainja said. "I kept going. I tried to do everything that I could to get the W."

Illinois Rallies From 10-Point, Second-Half Deficit To Defeat Ohio State

Shandel Richardson is the publisher of Illini Now. He can be reached at shandelrich@gmail.com