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Illinois Basketball: 5 observations from the Illini loss to Florida Atlantic

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - DECEMBER 29: Illinois Fighting Illini Head Coach Brad Underwood shouts across the court during the college basketball game between the Florida Atlantic University Owls and the Illinois Fighting Illini on December 29, 2018, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - DECEMBER 29: Illinois Fighting Illini Head Coach Brad Underwood shouts across the court during the college basketball game between the Florida Atlantic University Owls and the Illinois Fighting Illini on December 29, 2018, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS – DECEMBER 29: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts after a play during the second half in the game against the Florida Atlantic Owls at State Farm Center on December 29, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

The Illinois basketball team didn’t show up against the Florida Atlantic Owls in what should have been a simple game for the Orange and Blue.

From the start, this game was close. At one time early on, Illinois extended the lead to 14-8. There was still over 12 minutes to go in the first half, so Florida Atlantic had plenty of time to narrow the margin. The Owls then went on an 11-3 run to take the lead 19-17. This was the first time where I thought this game might not end up the way I had hoped.

Illinois would get the lead back 23-21 with 5:40 left in the first half. After that bucket by Trent Frazier, there was only one more score the rest of the way into the halftime break. Ayo Dosunmu nailed a three-pointer and the Illini went into the locker room up 26-21.

As you all probably know, the rest of the game didn’t go the way of the Illini. At the 14:06 mark, the Owls took the lead 32-30. Illinois wouldn’t get the lead back the rest of the half. Florida Atlantic even got the lead up to nine points at one time. But, down six with 1:04 left in the game, Illinois fought back. Frazier hit a three-pointer and made two free throws to get the score to 61-60. Florida Atlantic made a two and then Ayo hit a game-tying three-pointer to go to overtime.

Overtime was ugly for the Illini. The Orange and Blue couldn’t make a shot at the end, and Illinois lost the game 73-71.

Here are five observations from the Illini loss to Florida Atlantic.

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