MADISON, Wis. — Illinois wasn’t displaying any laborious emotions towards its opponent when it declined to take part in a postgame handshake.
As a number of gamers take care of a virus, the Illini simply wished to verify they didn’t unfold germs whereas congratulating Wisconsin after losing 95-74 to the No. 11 Badgers on Tuesday.
“They don’t want this,” Illini coach Brad Underwood stated after the sport. “In 38 years (as a coach), I’ve by no means seen something like what’s gone by our crew.”
The Illini (17-10, 9-8) stay in good place to earn a fifth consecutive NCAA Event bid. They entered Tuesday as a projected No. 6 seed, based on Bracket Matrix.
“We’re going to outlive,” Underwood stated. “We’re going to be superb. We’re a extremely good basketball crew. We’ve proved that.”
However the Illini are coping with all kinds of setbacks on and off the courtroom as they face essentially the most demanding a part of their schedule.
Freshman ahead Morez Johnson Jr. broke his wrist whereas blocking a shot in a 79-65 loss to No. 14 Michigan State on Saturday, however many of the roster points are on account of sickness fairly than damage.
Tomislav Ivišić, the Illini’s main rebounder and second-leading scorer, got here off the bench for the primary time all season Tuesday as he tried to play whereas sick. Underwood stated Ivišić didn’t journey with the crew, as a substitute driving to Wisconsin on his personal.
Ivišić completed with seven factors and three rebounds in 21 minutes. He already handled mononucleosis and an ankle damage earlier this yr, severely limiting his follow time.
Underwood stated reserve ahead Jake Davis wished to play however received sick after pregame warmups.
“We don’t know who we now have from everyday,” Underwood stated. “I didn’t know who I used to be beginning right this moment.”
Illinois’ main scorer Tuesday was Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn, who was sick earlier this month. After going scoreless and taking part in a complete of 14 minutes within the three video games main as much as this one, Gibbs-Lawhorn had 17 factors and 5 assists towards Wisconsin.
“Proper now we’re going by a stretch that’s tough,” stated ahead Ben Humrichous, who scored 13 factors Tuesday. “However we’re a superb basketball crew and we all know it.”
The stretch isn’t getting any simpler. The Illini take a break from Large Ten competitors and head to New York to face No. 3 Duke on Saturday at Madison Sq. Backyard.
“It’s David taking part in Goliath within the subsequent one,” Underwood stated. “We’re going to indicate up and we’re going to struggle.”
Initially Printed:
