The Illinois basketball team finished the week 0-2, failing to secure season splits against Penn State and Indiana in road contests.
For 26 minutes, the chances of the Illini splitting the regular season series against Indiana looked promising. As for the final 14 minutes, however, they were anything but that. A last-second potential game-tying three-point attempt from R.J. Melendez fell short, as the Illini dropped a 71-68 decision in Bloomington on Saturday afternoon.
The loss capped off a frustrating week for an Illini team that entered Tuesday night’s tilt against Penn State in a prime position to contend for a Big Ten regular season championship once again. Less than a week later, the Orange and Blue’s focus now rests on securing a double-bye in the Big Ten Tournament, and even that possibility may feel too far-fetched.
The game was like a heavyweight fight, with a sold-out Assembly Hall looking onward. After the Hoosiers took a brief lead early in the first half, the Illini controlled the tempo for the remainder. Even in the absence of Terrence Shannon Jr., who did not play because of concussion protocol, Illinois relied on its other contributors to give the No. 14-ranked team all it could handle.
In another big road game, Matthew Mayer had a standout performance, including 16 first-half points to help the visitors carry a three-point lead, 38-35, entering the locker room. Unlike the loss in State College, the opening 20 minutes looked to go the Illini’s way, as they could sometimes quiet the crowd. But the game was quickly about to turn on its head, ultimately deciding its outcome.
Illinois built a sizable nine-point lead after halftime, a lead that throughout the last month, or something similar, was good enough for a victory. The Hoosiers, bitten by Northwestern in the game’s final seconds just three days ago, had other ideas.
Trayce Jackson-Davis and Jalen Hood-Schifino spark-plugged an Indiana rally that brought Assembly Hall to life again, as they combined for 39 of the Hoosiers’ 71 points. While the duo was doing damage, the Illini went on a six-minute scoring drought as the game neared its conclusion.
Illinois had a chance to win the game late, but after Dain Dainja and Jayden Epps struggled to put the Illini ahead with critical free throw misses, Indiana put the icing on the cake and walked off its home floor with a sweep of its rival neighbors.
Brad Underwood was proud of how his guys played and believe Illinois is contending at the right time.
"“I don’t know if proud is the right word,” Underwood said after the loss. “Excited, elated. Great college basketball game. I’m a much bigger believer in our team right now than at any point this season.”"
What does the end of February look like for the Illinois basketball team?
The Illini will return to the State Farm Center for two of their next three games, as they will play rematch games against Minnesota on Monday and Northwestern, who host Iowa Sunday evening, on Thursday night.
Both games will air on Big Ten Network and tip-off at 8 p.m. CT.