CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Before the cameras and audio recorders shut off, Purdue basketball player Trey Kaufman-Renn made a motion that he had one more comment to make before leaving State Farm Center on Friday night.

Kaufman-Renn said he was informed by his mother and girlfriend of racist comments directed at his 13-year-old brother from the Illinois student section.

Kaufman-Renn's family sat in a designated area behind Purdue's bench, next to Illinois' Orange Krush student section.

"Late in tonight’s game, Illinois staff was made aware of allegations of inappropriate comments made by members of the Orange Krush toward Purdue players, coaches and fans. We received additional details after the game’s conclusion. We take such allegations seriously, and we will continue gathering information to determine appropriate action. In the meantime, we have been in touch with Purdue to apologize and express our disappointment."

Illinois defeated Purdue 88-80 in the final regular season game for both teams despite Kaufman-Renn scoring a game-high 29 points.

Kaufman-Renn continued that one incident isn't indicative of an entire fan base, but expressed a desire for better security measures.

"I just hope the security, especially at Illinois, can be better," said Kaufman-Renn, who is Black. "I guess it's a lot to say because, you know, I told (my brother) after that's something I would fight with. ...

"The fact that my brother can be put in that situation is really unbelievable," Kaufman-Renn said. "For a league like the Big Ten, they just need to be better about that."

Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X and Instagram @samueltking.