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Illinois Basketball: 5 takeaways from the Illini win over Indiana

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 24: Illinois Fighting Illini Forward Leron Black (12) shoots a free throw during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on January 24, 2018, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 24: Illinois Fighting Illini Forward Leron Black (12) shoots a free throw during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on January 24, 2018, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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CHAMPAIGN, IL – JANUARY 24: Head coach Archie Miller of the Indiana Hoosiers is seen during the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at State Farm Center on January 24, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL – JANUARY 24: Head coach Archie Miller of the Indiana Hoosiers is seen during the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at State Farm Center on January 24, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

1. There is nothing better than beating the Hoosiers

The struggles for the Illinois basketball team have been well documented. They were 0-8 in conference play heading into the Indiana game on Wednesday night. There is no doubt how bad the Illini needed to win this game.

Purely based on needing a victory, the 73-71 win over Indiana was sweet. It got the team off their losing streak and they have some confidence heading into the final nine games. Illinois is a young program that feeds off momentum and confidence right now.

This game wasn’t just a win, though. It happened to be against one of the most hated teams among Illini fans. Indiana has been the main rival for the Illini for as long as I can remember. There have been legendary matchups throughout the years – I am looking at you Tyler Griffey – and the Hoosiers illegally recruited one of the Illini commits back in the day.

Indiana is also the team Illinois has played the most – tied with Wisconsin for 126 games – and the current win-loss record is 58-68 in favor of the Hoosiers. The Illini needed the win on Wednesday night to get a little closer to evening up the series.

The victory over Indiana meant a little more than just another notch in the win column. It meant the Illini have bragging rights over the Hoosiers until they meet again on February 14.

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