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Illinois Basketball: 3 observations from the Illini loss to Ohio State

By Rees Woodcock

COLUMBUS, OHIO - MARCH 05: Duane Washington Jr. #4 of the Ohio State Buckeyes takes a shot over Da'Monte Williams #20 of the Illinois Fighting Illini during the first half at Value City Arena on March 05, 2020 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO - MARCH 05: Duane Washington Jr. #4 of the Ohio State Buckeyes takes a shot over Da'Monte Williams #20 of the Illinois Fighting Illini during the first half at Value City Arena on March 05, 2020 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBUS, OHIO – MARCH 05: Ayo Dosunmu #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini drives to the basket and takes a shot over Andre Wesson #24 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the second half at Value City Arena on March 05, 2020 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO – MARCH 05: Ayo Dosunmu #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini drives to the basket and takes a shot over Andre Wesson #24 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the second half at Value City Arena on March 05, 2020 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

1. It was Ohio State + Refs vs Illinois

Illinois went up against a really good team in Ohio State on Thursday night. The Buckeyes have solid guards and a great shooting big man. They were also at home, which is a big advantage in the Big Ten. The Illini could overcome those things, though. But what they couldn’t overcome was the refs working against them too.

The refs put Illinois is a rough position the entire night. Ohio State was in the bonus before the 10-minute mark in the first half. The second half wasn’t much better. For the entire game, the Buckeyes shot a total of 28 free throws compared to the Illini only shooting 10 free throws.

The number of fouls was out of balance too. Illinois had a total of 22 fouls called against them while Ohio State only had 13 fouls against them. The only player for the Buckeyes to see any foul trouble was Kaleb Wesson, who fouled out of the game late. That wasn’t the case for the Illini.

Illinois had four players get into serious foul trouble. Kofi Cockburn and Giorgi Bezhanishvili both had four fouls. This hurt the Illini because those two are our only serviceable big men. Illinois also had Andres Feliz and Trent Frazier get into foul trouble. These two guards are crucial in how the team works on the court.

Ohio State is a tough team, so they don’t need the refs working with them too. I believe Illinois would have won the game if it wasn’t for the lopsided whistles.

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