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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: Trent Frazier #1 of the Illinois Fighting Illini and Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini talk with an official 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: Trent Frazier #1 of the Illinois Fighting Illini and Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini talk with an official 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) /

1. Illinois needed a win no matter how they got it

Starting off 2-7 is never fun. The Illinois basketball team needed a win against UNLV at home on Saturday and they accomplished that mission. It didn’t end pretty but the Illini still came away with the victory.

Before the game against the Runnin’ Rebels, Illinois had dropped three-straight games and seven out of their last eight. Things weren’t looking good. But, with a win against UNLV, the outlook for the program has improved a little.

East Tennessee State is next on the Illinois schedule. They are 8-3 this season but none of their wins have been over good teams. They do have losses to Georgia State and Wofford as well. This should be a win for the Illini.

The following matchup is against Missouri in the Braggin’ Rights game. The Tigers have rambled off three-straight wins, but they still haven’t beat a good team this year either. This is a huge game for both teams, but it is a winnable one for the Illini.

And the final non-conference game is against Florida Atlantic. The Owls have a 7-2 record, but they haven’t beat anyone either. This should be another victory for the Illini.

Overall, Illinois has three non-conference games remaining and should win them all. If they do, that would bring our record to 6-7 overall and 6-5 in the non-conference. It would still be a long trek to the NCAA tournament, but it could still happen. They would need to probably go 13-5 in the Big Ten.

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