Plummer's late free throws lift Illini by Chattanooga 54-53

Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Terrell Owens, center, twirls a basketball on his finger as he watches Chattanooga warm up before a college basketball game against Illinois in the first round of the NCAA tournament in Pittsburgh, Friday, March 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Illinois' Kofi Cockburn dunks against Chattanooga during the first half of a college basketball game in the first round of the NCAA tournament, Friday, March 18, 2022, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

Illinois' Kofi Cockburn (21) is fouled as he works the ball around Chattanooga 's Josh Ayeni during the first half of a college basketball game in the first round of the NCAA men's tournament in Pittsburgh, Friday, March 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Illinois' Coleman Hawkins (33) gets off a shot with Chattanooga 's KC Hankton (1) defending during the first half of a college basketball game in the first round of the NCAA men's tournament in Pittsburgh, Friday, March 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Illinois' Andre Curbelo (5) passes the ball with Chattanooga 's Avery Diggs, left, defending during the first half of a college basketball game in the first round of the NCAA men's tournament in Pittsburgh, Friday, March 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Chattanooga's David Jean-Baptiste (3) drives around Illinois' Andre Curbelo during the first half of a college basketball game in the first round of the NCAA tournament, Friday, March 18, 2022, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

Chattanooga's Josh Ayeni (21) dunks against Illinois during the first half of a college basketball game in the first round of the NCAA tournament, Friday, March 18, 2022, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

Illinois' Andre Curbelo (5) knocks the ball away from Chattanooga's A.J. Caldwell during the first half of a college basketball game in the first round of the NCAA tournament, Friday, March 18, 2022, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)