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Illinois Basketball: 5 observations from the Illini loss to Notre Dame

By Rees Woodcock

SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 27: Members of the Illinois Fighting Illini are seen during a timeout during the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Purcell Pavilion on November 27, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 27: Members of the Illinois Fighting Illini are seen during a timeout during the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Purcell Pavilion on November 27, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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SOUTH BEND, IN – NOVEMBER 27: Members of the Illinois Fighting Illini are seen during a timeout during the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Purcell Pavilion on November 27, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

The Illinois basketball team needed a win on Tuesday night against Notre Dame but came up just short.

The game started off pretty solid between the Illini and the Fighting Irish. Notre Dame jumped out to a quick 8-4 lead but Illinois continued to keep it close. The Illini tied the game back up at 13-13 with 13:13 left in the first half.

When the 10-minute mark in the first half came around, Illinois had managed to grab a two-point lead 20-18. The game continued to go back and forth. Both teams were tied 25-25 with five minutes to go in the first half. Illinois started hitting some shots down the stretch, though, and took the lead at halftime, 35-34.

Again, much like the first half, the second half started back and forth between each team. That was until the Illini went on a cold streak and Notre Dame continued to score. Illinois was up 47-44 but failed to score for a while. The next time the Illini scored, it was to bring the score to 58-49 in favor of the Fighting Irish.

At one time, Notre Dame was able to get the deficit up to 13 points, but Illinois wasn’t done. They still had some fight. With the score showing 68-58 in favor of Notre Dame, the Illini went on a run. Illinois was able to get the game to just a two-point margin with 1:34 left in the contest. With less than five seconds left, the Illini got the ball back down two points. Trent Frazier shot a game-winner that went in and out of the hoop. The Illini fell 76-74.

Here are five observations from the Illini loss to Notre Dame.

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