Illinois Basketball: 4 observations from the Illini loss to Georgetown

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CHAMPAIGN, IL – JANUARY 24: Illinois Fighting Illini Head Coach Brad Underwood shouts out a call 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) /

The Illinois basketball team played their first true test of the season on Tuesday night and fell to the Georgetown Hoyas.

This was a game that saddened most of the Illini fan base. The team didn’t look bad but they couldn’t get to the finish line before Georgetown. It was a fun game to watch, though. Illinois was also missing Trent Frazier due to a concussion, and that is why I think the Illini lost. But, they still played well.

The Illini actually started the game on a 6-0 run, but Georgetown answered quickly. The Hoyas took their first lead of the game, 16-15, at the 12:27 mark in the first half. The rest of the half continued to go back and forth between the Illini and Hoyas. Big man Jessie Govan made a shot with 26-seconds left in the half to give Georgetown the lead 39-37 heading into the locker room.

Georgetown started the second half hot. They managed to get the lead to seven points, but the Illini had an answer. Illinois was able to come back and take the lead 50-49 at the 15:17 mark in the second half. Again, the game continued to go back and forth until 1:54 left in the contest. At this point, Ayo Dosunmu made two free throws to bring the score to 81-80 in favor of Georgetown. The Illini wouldn’t score again.

Illinois ended up losing the game 88-80. This was a tough loss for the Illini, but there is a bright future ahead. Here are four observations from the Illini loss to Georgetown.

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