Illinois Basketball: 3 observations from the Illini loss to Iowa

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IOWA CITY. IA- FEBRUARY 02: Iowa guard Joe Wieskamp (10) takes a shot over Illinois center Kofi Cockburn (21) during a Big Ten Conference basketball game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Iowa Hawkeyes at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Iowa City Ia, on February 02, 2020. Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

The Illinois basketball team tried to extend their winning streak, but the Iowa Hawkeyes had other plans on Sunday afternoon.

Illinois and Iowa kept the game close for the entirety. There wasn’t a point in the game where I thought one team was running away with it. Both programs fought and, sadly, the Illini couldn’t come away with a win.

The game started off normal. Both teams were going back and forth in the scoring department. Illinois managed to take a three-point lead with 10 minutes to go in the first half. But Iowa came right back and tied it up. The Illini would be able to get their lead up to eight points with five minutes until halftime, but Iowa once again fought back. After an Illinois basket, the Illini went into the halftime locker room up 31-30.

Nobody really gained control of the game early on in the second half. Iowa had a one-point lead at the 15-minute mark. They were able to extend that lead to six points, but Illinois came back and tied it up with 10 minutes to go in the game.

With four minutes remaining, Illinois had a one-point lead. Iowa took control from there, though. The Hawkeyes would finish on an 11-3 run to win the game 72-65.

Here are three observations from the Illini loss to Iowa.

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