Illinois Basketball: 5 observations from the Illini loss to Purdue

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CHAMPAIGN, IL – FEBRUARY 23: Illinois Fighting Illini guard Trent Frazier (1) and Illinois Fighting Illini guard Andres Feliz (10) talk as they walk on to the court during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Illinois Fighting Illini on February 23, 2019, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

The Illinois basketball team dangled a victory in front of us only to take it away quickly.

Illinois was in this game from the start. Just a little over 10 minutes into the game, the Illini had a 20-15 lead. Purdue would then come back and take the lead with just under five minutes to go in the half. But, Illinois would go on a 6-2 run to take the halftime lead, 33-32.

The second half was ugly for the Illini. They came out of the locker room stale. Purdue was hitting shots left and right. Less than five minutes into the second half, the Boilermakers had a nine-point lead. The Illini would fight back and were only down two points with 9:27 to go in the game.

From the 9:27 point on, Purdue would take full control over the game. The Boilermakers had their first double-digit lead at the 7:05 mark going up 58-48. There were a few times the Illini would be able to get it back to a 10-point deficit, but the Boilermakers were too much. Illinois wouldn’t be able to get it to single-digits again. Purdue went on to win the game 73-56.

Here are five observations from the Illini loss to Purdue.

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