The Illini’s Loss in Context

Some context after the Illini loss.

Illinois got punched in the face last night. There is no doubt about that one. Outside of maybe the first minute and a half, the Illini were thoroughly outplayed on their home floor against the Indiana Hoosiers. After a 4 game conference win streak, Illinois unfortunately looked like the team they were about 3 weeks ago. Maybe not as bad as that night in Evanston, but Illinois looked flustered and a step too slow. As all Illini fans tend to do, including my co-manager, Zach Leslie, we tend to react then and there.

Yes, it sucked to see the team we spend a lot of time in come out on their home floor in a half-baked effort. It is incredibly tough to be on a roller coaster, especially after Ayo Dosunmu and Kofi Cockburn provided such stable success. The up and down performances are incredibly tough to handle, and do scream that Illinois could very well lose early in the NCAA tournament, or even be at danger of not making the event. However, I have a strong feeling that everything will be alright?

No Excuses

For reference, the 2019-20 team won 7 conference games in a row and won 4 of their last 5 to finish in the top 4 of the conference. The 2020-21 team won 14 of 15 conference games and a Big Ten Tournament before their unfortunate loss in the tournament. The 2021-2022 team started the conference season going 9-3. My point is, this is a different pattern. May Illinois absolutely crump the bed and revert back to the way they ended 2022? Possibly, but I really don’t think that’s the case.

College basketball is played by 18-23 year olds. They are college athletes who also are tasked with going to class, lifting, going to practice. All while trying to maintain a social life and maintain their relationships with their family and friends. Perhaps as a current Doctor in training, I kind of understand how some days, you just do not have it. I mean, I get the job done (I hope) every day, however are there days where I am a little slow to respond or slow to know what is happening? Absolutely.

The Illini will be just fine.

Illinois laid an egg yesterday in front of their home crowd. I hate to say it, but Gonzaga lost last night on their home floor. Outside of Purdue, every big ten team has dropped a game both at home or on the road in not so close fashion. Am I excusing Illinois and saying it was ok that Brad did not double Trayce Jackson-Davis? Absolutely not.  There are holes and deficiencies that both the players and coaches have to iron out. However, that’s why there is 12 whole games left for Illinois to figure that out.

Every team that we play will have a form of desperation and anger. Illinois will obviously have to match that, but just because they could not do it last night, does not mean that they will never. Illinois beat two legitimate ranked  teams on their home floor and went on the road to beat a much improved Nebraska squad in dominant fashion. All signs point to them being ok, and they will. Illinois will be just fine.