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Illinois Basketball: 5 observations from the Illini loss to Ohio State

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS - FEBRUARY 24: Cedric Russell #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes drives to the basket against Alfonso Plummer #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini during the second half at State Farm Center on February 24, 2022 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS - FEBRUARY 24: Cedric Russell #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes drives to the basket against Alfonso Plummer #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini during the second half at State Farm Center on February 24, 2022 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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Feb 24, 2022; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Trent Frazier (1) reacts after hitting a three-point shot during the second half against the Ohio State Buckeyes at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 24, 2022; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Trent Frazier (1) reacts after hitting a three-point shot during the second half against the Ohio State Buckeyes at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Close to one of the best comebacks in program history

The start of the second half was brutal for the Illinois basketball team. We were up by one point going into the final 20 minutes, but Ohio State came out of the gates swinging.

Ohio State would go on a 16-2 run within the first six minutes in the second half. This put the Illini down by 13 points before we could even get warmed up.

Illinois would try to fight back on occasion, but Ohio State kept the Orange and Blue at arm’s length. It seemed that we couldn’t get over the 10-point deficit hump. With less than six minutes to go in the game, the Illini were down 15 points.

That is when what could have been one of the greatest comebacks in program history nearly happened. The Illini started hitting shots. The deficit would be under 10 points with under four minutes to go.

Illinois would then cut the Ohio State lead to just four points with two minutes left in the game. With less than 10 seconds left, the Illini had the ball down two points. This was the chance for a great game-winning shot to cap off the sensational comeback.

But, sadly, that is not how the game would end. A brutal turnover and a no-call foul sealed the game for the Illini. We would get one final shot from halfcourt to tie the game, but that shot would not go in the bucket.

This could have been one of the greatest comebacks in program history. I lived through the 2005 NCAA tournament where Illinois took down Arizona. The implications weren’t nearly the same, but the deficit was just as big.

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