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No. 4 seed Illinois nearly bowed out in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in shocking fashion on Friday night, as No. 13 seed Chattanooga took the Fighting Illini down to the wire before faltering 54-53. A potential game-winner from Chattanooga's Malachi Smith bounced off the rim as time expired, allowing Illinois to dance on into the second round of South Region play.

Illinois never led until 45 seconds remained and Kofi Cockburn put it ahead 52-51. But then Smith put the Mocs back in front with a pair of free throws. The last points of the game came when Illinois guard Alfonso Plummer hit two free throws of his own with 12 seconds left. From there, a frenetic final sequence ensued with Smith's first foray toward the rim being rejected by Illinois forward Coleman Hawkins before retrieving the basketball and missing the game's final shot.

Last season, the Illini were humbled by an earlier-than-expected exit in the second round as a No. 1 seed when they lost to No. 8 seed Loyola Chicago. This season, they finished as co-champions in the Big Ten regular season, led by an All-American in Cockburn and a veteran supporting cast of guards. Another early exit would have been devastating for a program seeking its first Sweet 16 since 2005, when it appeared in the national title game.

Cockburn led Illinois with 17 points and 13 rebounds while Plummer added 15 points. On Sunday, Illinois will play the winner of Friday night's late game between No. 5 seed Houston and No. 12 seed UAB. Chattanooga entered as a trendy upset pick after winning the SoCon Tournament title on a buzzer-beater. Smith led the Mocs with 12 points but was just 4 of 20 from the field.