Illinois Basketball Comeback Falls Short Against Purdue

In a game eerily similar to their matchup last year, the Illinois Basketball team dug a deep hole. Just like last year, the Illini’s second-half rally fell short, with Purdue picking up an 83-78 win. The Boilermakers were up double digits in a flash, and in the end, it was too much despite a second-half run from the Illini.

1. Glassed

Illinois Basketball entered the game first in the country in rebounds per game. Purdue obliterated them from the jump, finishing the game -15 on the glass. For a team that prides itself on its rebounding, the Illini were not up for it from the bell. The Boilers two starting bigs finished with eight offensive rebounds. These second-chance opportunities allowed the Boilermakers not only to get extra possessions but also prevented the Illini from getting in transition. The Boilers made multiple threes off of these rebounds, going 9-19 from deep in the game. In the preview, I said Illinois had to rebound the basketball to win, and they didn’t.

2. Spaced

The other major factor in Purdue’s early dominance was Edey zoning off of Ty Rodgers. Rodgers has done everything the Illini have needed from him all year long. He did a great job when he was in of defending Braden Smith. He’s a great rebounder and made some good cuts. But the unfortunate truth is the Boilermakers didn’t guard him and it hurt the Illini. Certainly, if it were Terrence Shannon Jr. coming off of the dribble handoffs, they ran with him they may have been able to play him more. However, that’s not the reality of their situation, and the reality on Friday was that when Illinois played their five shooters, they had much more success.

Domask was able to dominate with 20 of his 26 points coming in the second half. He was much more able to hunt his matchups once Edey wasn’t sitting under the basket. Rodgers still is a critical part to this team. His experience in this game is painful now but the reps will help.

3. Covered

Moral Victories aren’t a stat on the March resume, but metrics are. In what could’ve easily been an ugly loss, the Illini ground their way into a sweaty finish. The Illini got the deficit as low as three before needing to foul, and any one of those offensive rebound threes could’ve been the difference between a win or a loss. Illinois once again showed their experience and guile, with upperclassmen scoring 71 of the Illini’s 78. Quincy Guerrier deserves mention for another big double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Without Shannon Jr. they aren’t quite as talented, but they’re just as old and gritty.

The Illini entered tonight 12th in offense and 18th in defense on Kenpom. They leave 10th and 17th. This loss drops them to 11-3, 2-1 in conference play. They play Michigan State at home on 1/11.

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