5 big observations from the Illinois basketball win over Chicago State

It was an easy game, as the Illinois basketball team trucked Chicago State on Sunday afternoon.
Dec 29, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA;  Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kylan Boswell (4) drives past Chicago State Cougars forward Mike Brown (25) and looks to pass during the first half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
Dec 29, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kylan Boswell (4) drives past Chicago State Cougars forward Mike Brown (25) and looks to pass during the first half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images | Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
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5. Good momentum game heading into Big Ten season

The 2024-25 season hasn’t been the smoothest of rides so far. Illinois has had some high highs, but we have also hit a few lows, like the overtime loss to Northwestern.

After a big win over Missouri in the Braggin’ Rights game, the Illini needed another game as a tune-up and to gel even more before the Big Ten season. That is what the Chicago State contest ended up being on Sunday.

Illinois demolished the Cougars, and this was a great game to help build momentum. We are playing well, sharing the ball well, hitting shots from everywhere on the court, and smashing the boards in the rebounding department.

All of that is needed if we want to not only get back to the NCAA tournament but if we actually want to take home the title.

The momentum built from the back-to-back wins should help us heading into a road tilt against No. 9 Oregon. The Ducks have a really good team, and winning on the road is never easy. That is why Illinois believing they can play as well as they did against Chicago State is so important.

If we can take this game and build on it moving forward, then Illinois should see tremendous success. The Illini have momentum, and now let’s use that momentum to take down some big-time programs.