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Illinois Basketball: 5 observations from the Illini win over UNLV

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN , IL - NOVEMBER 13: The Big 10 logo on the floor before a college basketball game between the Georgetown Hoyas and the Illinois Fighting Illini at the State Farm Center on November 13, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
CHAMPAIGN , IL - NOVEMBER 13: The Big 10 logo on the floor before a college basketball game between the Georgetown Hoyas and the Illinois Fighting Illini at the State Farm Center on November 13, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /
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SOUTH BEND, IN – NOVEMBER 27: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini is seen 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 rebounded nicely against UNLV as they came away with a win on Saturday afternoon.

This game was actually pretty good throughout its entirety. The first half remained close. Both teams went back and forth in the scoring department. There were a lot of lead changes and ties throughout the first 20 minutes. There was also a three-minute drought in there for both teams as well.

Illinois eventually started taking command. Samba Kane entered the game and broke the drought for the Illini. Two more buckets by the Orange and Blue extended their lead to 16-9 with 12:15 left in the first half. The lead got up to nine points for the Illini before UNLV hit a three-pointer right before half. The halftime scored showed 40-34 in favor of the Illini.

The Illini started the second half well. They extended the lead to 10 points at one time, but UNLV stormed back for a moment, getting the deficit to just five points. Illinois then continued to hit shots and extended the lead back to 12 points at 53-41. Illinois managed to keep UNLV at a double-digit deficit with 4:44 left in the game, but the Runnin’ Rebels weren’t done yet. They hit a few shots and just like that, the score showed 74-70 with 1:41 left in the game.

UNLV would get the score within two points, but the Illini hit their free throws down the stretch. The scored showed 77-74 and UNLV had the ball for the last shot. The Runnin’ Rebels would turn it over and that was the game. Illinois won 77-74.

Here are five observations from the Illini win over UNLV.

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