The women's Illinois basketball team was hoping to exact some sweet revenge against the Iowa Hawkeyes, but ended up falling hard in the quarterfinals by a score of 64-58.
This was a very difficult game to watch if you are an Illini fan. Illinois could not get anything going early in this contest, falling behind 21-11 in the first quarter and 37-23 at the half. Their offense was in complete disarray for the majority of the matchup, and the Hawkeyes just took advantage of every miscue.
The outcome was certainly not what we were hoping for as we make our way closer to March Madness, especially after two incredible wins against Wisconsin and Michigan State to start the Big Ten Tournament. But what are some key observations from this game that we should be dissecting as we await the NCAA women's bracket reveal?
1. Jasmine Brown-Hagger was the best player on the court last night
Berry Wallace, Cearah Parchment, and Destiny Jackson are three players who regularly come to mind when we think of an Illinois women's basketball game, but last night's bout with the Hawkeyes certainly did not fit that bill, as Jasmine Brown-Hagger led the show for the Illini.
Brown-Hagger, a second-year starter for the Illini, was easily the most consistent body on the floor for Illinois. In 39 minutes of play, the Shorewood, Illinois, product was able to record a team-high 22 points on 62% shooting from the field to go along with her four rebounds and one assist.
Her athleticism and speed were absolute killers for Iowa's defense, as she did most of her damage from within the paint. The problem for Illinois, though, is that it can't be a one-player show in March. There needs to be someone else stepping up, regardless of their standing collegiality. If not, then the Madness will die quickly for Shauna Green and Co. this year.
2. The three-point shooting became a negative factor for the Illini
Prior to the start of this game, one of the biggest questions for an Illinois win was whether Illinois' three-point shooting would be the key to their success in this game. They were ranked No. 17 in the country prior to this game with a 36.5% three-point shooting percentage, and they were facing off against an Iowa squad that's ranked No. 275 in the country at defending the three.
To some, it seemed like Illinois' long-range shots wouldn't falter too much against the No. 9 team in the country, but they sadly took a turn for the worse after a successful game against Michigan State, with Illinois shooting a measly 5-of-22, 23%, from beyond the arc.
The Illini needed some kind of long-range shot to help them compete with a team like Iowa, and they could not find it on Friday night. They made a complete 180 from down deep, with stars like Wallace and Maddie Webber shooting a combined 2-of-13 from three-point land.
If Illinois wants to succeed in March, they will need to be more consistent from deep. There are too many players on this roster who can stretch the floor and create open shots. Find your moment, pick your spot, and send it home!
3. The Illini improve their resumé despite loss to Iowa
For the past few weeks, the biggest projection that analysts have been making is that Illinois would end up as a No. 8 seed and would have to face a No. 9 seed in the NCAA tournament. The problem with that is they were being put in the University of Connecticut's bracket, which means that if they won their first-round matchup, then they would have to play the undefeated Huskies squad in the Round of 32.
It is a spot that Illinois fans do not want their team to be put in, and it looks like Illinois' last two games against Wisconsin and Michigan State may have helped them avoid that. These two wins, including one against a Quad 1 program in the Spartans, should give Illinois the necessary boost to get them to that coveted No. 7 seed.
Granted, they would still have to face a No. 2 seed in the second round of the tournament. But I would take that over the No. 1s any day of the week.