Illinois Basketball: What an emotional roller coaster for Illini fans
The Illinois basketball team, once again, dropped a game in overtime. This time it was at home against the Maryland Terrapins.
Well, let me start off by saying, I am heartbroken. This was a game that toyed with my emotions. It was a complete roller coaster ride that had me grabbing the sides of the coach the entire time in the second half.
I already see some people bashing on Illinois for losing this game. I see some people saying this was a crushing loss as well. Let’s step back and take this game for what it really is; a Big Ten loss and a tally in the loss column. That is it as far as negative goes.
Illinois needed to win this game to avoid losing three straight contests and starting the Big Ten season 0-2. They couldn’t do that and now the team has to dig themselves out of a hole. But, what happened last night showed me they can dig themselves out of that hole. This season isn’t just about building a better team for the future.
The Illini started this game off terribly. They were down 10-0 before you could even get comfortable on the couch. That is when head coach Brad Underwood did something that I really loved to see. He benched his entire starting five and put in five backup players. Underwood pulling this move showed me he isn’t messing around. He knows what he wants out of his basketball team and he isn’t here to make friends.
It has been a long time since the Illinois basketball team had a coach that wasn’t just here to be friends with the players. He isn’t afraid to ruffle feathers and do what is best for the players and the team, regardless of what the players think. Benching the entire starting five was a great move because it woke them up and they ended up playing well in the second half.
I understand some people’s frustrations with another loss. Illinois has dropped three games already out of the nine they have played. But, I think we saw some steps forward in how this team is maturing. They fought with Maryland and made a valiant comeback. They didn’t quit after the first half. They played well and chemistry was starting to form from many different areas.
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This type of competition is going to help the Illini down the road. They are figuring out how to close games and that is important. The way this team played in the second half shows me they can be an NCAA tournament program. Underwood will make sure that team shows up more often. I have complete faith in what is going on, and I hope you do too.