Illinois Basketball: 5 takeaways from the Illini loss to Wisconsin part two

5. This season has been a disappointment

Listen, I know it is the first season under Brad Underwood. I am by no means giving up on him. His track record says he is a good coach, and I honestly believe that. He should get at least three years to turn this Illinois program around.

I also realize how bad of a recruiter John Groce was and what was left for Underwood when he took the job. Illinois currently only has two Big Ten caliber players on their roster right now. Those two players are Trent Frazier and Leron Black. But beyond those two, the Illini are playing with either backups, players who are too young or players who don’t belong in DI basketball.

Even with that said I am still kind of disappointed with how this season has gone. Illinois started the year off pretty well with a 6-0 record heading into the Wake Forest contest. They fell to an average to below average Demon Deacons team.

Illinois then dropped back-to-back games to two Big Ten foes in overtime. Those games really set the tone for the rest of the year. They did have a good win against Missouri in the Braggin’ Rights game, though. That is a game you can hang your hat on.

The amount of losing is really depressing, though. Illinois does have some experience on this team but that isn’t helping. Having a 2-10 record isn’t good. There have been some close games and I think one more Big Ten caliber player would help in this situation. I also think everything will be okay with Ayo Dosunmu coming in and, hopefully, getting a grad transfer big man for 2018.

Next: 5 takeaways from the Illini recruiting class of 2018

But, overall, I am still kind of disappointed that Illinois is not only going to miss the NCAA tournament, but they are going to miss the postseason altogether. I expect more out of my Illini and everyone should.