Illinois Basketball: Key Takeaways After Loss to Northwestern

Illinois basketball came into this matchup riding high after the win at Arkansas on Thanksgiving. Unfortunately for the Illini, they could not make it two big wins in a row. For the second year in a row Illinois basketball fell to Northwestern in overtime 70-66. With how young this Illini team is you had to figure it would be a bit of a roller coaster to start the season. Despite a loss, there are two positives that the Illini can take away from this.

Illinois Basketball has two All-Big Ten players

Tomislav Ivisic out here doing this at 7’1 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/wjf2WTkpeE

— College Basketball Content (@CBBcontent) December 7, 2024

It is safe to say that this class that Brad Underwood and Orlando Antigua have put together. We saw the ceiling of Tomislav Ivisic against Arkansas when he went for 21 points and 10 rebounds. Ivisic was great in this game once against posting another 15-12 double-double. He also dished out five assists including a wicked behind-the-back assist. Even though Tomi scored 15 points, it felt like he needed to get more touches down the stretch.

The other freshman standout tonight was Kasparas Jakucionis. Down the stretch, he was the entire offense for the Illini. He finished with 20 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. It was a great stat line and it was even better to watch. Kasparas hit multiple step-back three-point attempts when the Illini needed them the most. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough for the Illini to get the win.

Big Four-Game Stretch Ahead

After the loss, it will be interesting to see if Brad Underwood changes anything up in the rotation. I do not expect huge changes, but I would not be surprised to see more Tre White or Morez Johnson. Regardless, Illinois basketball has so many more opportunities for quad-one victories. I think a positive from this was that they can at least hang tough in a road environment against a quality, veteran squad.

These next four games are monster ones with quad-one-win home opportunities against Wisconsin and Tennessee. Then they get Missouri in the Braggin’ Rights game which is always a tough battle, and then finish the Nonconference schedule against Chicago State. I think it is safe to say anything less than a 3-1 record in those four games would be a disappointment as they dive head-first into Big Ten Conference play after that. Nobody is panicking over here, but it is time for this Illini squad to start taking care of business and find some consistency.

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