This weekend was the end of the Big Ten men's basketball regular season. While elsewhere in the conference Iowa surprised Purdue with a strong victory, IU lost to Illinois, which was completely expected. The latter brought to a close my IU basketball photo career, as I will be on the way to Japan during IU's game in the Big Ten tournament. (Courtney Deckard will be covering the game instead.)

Watch the blog next week, as well as the IU School of Journalism website, for updates on my trip to Tokyo and Hiroshima with my International Reporting class.

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Illinois' Mike Davis grabs a rebound over other Illinois and IU players during the Hoosiers' 72-48 loss to the Fighting Illini on Saturday at Assembly Hall in Champaign, Ill.

University of Illinois forward Mike Davis grabs a rebound over other Illinois and Indiana University players during IU's 72-48 loss to the Fighting Illini on Mar. 5, 2011, at Assembly Hall in Champaign, Ill. (Alex Farris | Indiana Daily Student) Alex Farris

Members of Illinois' Orange Krush cheer at the start of IU's 72-48 loss to the Fighting Illini on Saturday at Assembly Hall in Champaign, Ill.

Members of the University of Illinois' Orange Krush student section cheer at the start of their team's game against Indiana University. Alex Farris

IU forward Will Sheehey grabs a rebound in front of forward Christian Watford. | IU guard Victor Oladipo tries a layup. Alex Farris

IU guard Verdell Jones dives to keep the ball inbounds. Alex Farris

Sophomore guard Jordan Hulls balances Illinois' Jereme Richmond after a loose ball.

IU guard Jordan Hulls balances Illinois' Jereme Richmond after a loose ball. Illinois finished as the fifth seed in the 11-team Big Ten Conference; IU finished 11th. Alex Farris