Illinois Basketball: 5 observations from the Illini loss to Missouri

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CHAMPAIGN, IL – DECEMBER 15: Illinois Fighting Illini Head Coach Brad Underwood talks with his players in the team huddle during a break in the action of the college basketball game between the East Tennessee State Univeristy Buccaneers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on December 15, 2018, at State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

The Illinois basketball team toyed with their fan’s hearts, but they still came away with a loss to the Missouri Tigers.

Illinois now moves to 4-8 but this could have been a win. Players aren’t stepping up and helping Trent Frazier. He is the main source of scoring, but he doesn’t have much in the way of help. This needs to change. The Illini were close in this game at one time, though.

The Illini actually jumped out to a quick lead. We were up 12-4 four minutes into the game. Things were looking good for the Orange and Blue. But, of course, Missouri woke up. The Tigers ended up tying the game at 15-15 with 10 minutes to go in the first half. The teams went back and forth the rest of the first half until Illinois went a little cold. Missouri took advantage and ended up having a 39-35 lead heading into halftime.

Missouri extended their lead out of the halftime locker room. They got their lead up to nine points less than four minutes into the second half. Illinois fought back, though. They ended up taking the lead back at 56-55 with 7:43 to go in the game. Most people thought this was going to end up being a really classic game. We were all wrong.

The Illini would only score seven more points the entire game after they took the lead. Less than three minutes after Illinois took a 56-55 lead, Missouri would have a 10-point advantage. That is how quick the game turned. Illinois ended up getting beat 79-63.

Here are five observations from the Illini loss to Missouri.

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