Illinois Basketball: Illini fall to 0-3 in Big Ten for first time in four years

COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 02: Terrence Shannon Jr. #0 of the Illinois Fighting Illini plays against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center on December 02, 2022 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 02: Terrence Shannon Jr. #0 of the Illinois Fighting Illini plays against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center on December 02, 2022 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)

Illinois basketball is at rock bottom for the first time in four seasons.

After a historic 2021-2022 season that included a Big Ten regular season title, wins against Michigan State, Iowa, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Northwestern, plus a second-straight NCAA Tournament appearance, the future continued to look bright for the Illini.

As of January 5, 2023, it is far from bright. In fact, the state of the program might be as dark as it has ever been.

A 73-60 road loss to Northwestern on Wednesday night dropped Illinois to 9-5 and its worst start to a conference season since 2018-2019, when the Illini began league play 0-3. It was also the last time the Orange and Blue failed to see their season extend deep into postseason play in March. If history repeats itself, 2023 will provide more of the same.

The game was close throughout the opening half, with both teams giving each other’s best shots while taking them. The Illini shot an abysmal 28.6% from three-point range and let the Wildcats find easy buckets to take a 31-27 lead into the halftime break. Matthew Mayer led the Illini in scoring with 17 points, as he was perfect in his four attempts from the free throw line.

The UCLA and Texas wins showed that Illinois could be a second half team when it wants to show up. But just like its struggles throughout the last month, the energy was not geared toward winning at all costs.

A 22-2 Wildcats run broke the game wide open as the Illini attempted to cut the deficit to seven before it was too late. Chase Audige had another masterful outing, finishing with 21 points, four three-pointers, and a perfect 7-for-7 at the charity stripe, as he led all teams in scoring in the upset win.

Brad Underwood was, once again, not pleased with the effort of his group, as the team is still searching for its first Big Ten victory. The Illini did receive AP Top 25 votes this week, but they weren’t enough to rejoin the conversation amongst the nation’s most elite teams.

"“The lack of discipline, that’s on me,” Underwood said post-game. “I just don’t have these guys doing anything that resembles basketball on the offensive end. Nothing.”"

Underwood is not wrong. Illinois turned the ball over 15 times and gave away 11 Northwestern steals, an issue that has plagued the team in nearly every loss this season.

The Illinois basketball team feels that there is still hope for a turnaround.

Despite his frustration, Terrance Shannon Jr. says the current growing pains are fixable, starting Saturday afternoon with a critical must-win game against No.14 Wisconsin Badgers (11-2, 3-0 Big Ten) at State Farm Center.

"“We’re gonna handle it good,” Shannon Jr. said on the topic of overcoming adversity. “I’m gonna make sure we handle it good. Next game, we got Wisconsin coming in our home. 14th in the country and we gotta get that win. We’re gonna knock ’em off.”"

Could a conference upset be the spark the defending champs need to get back on track? Find out at 12:30 p.m. CT on ESPN2.