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Dec. 22—Did Illinois flirt with blowing a 10-point lead late in the second half? You bet. Late-game performance still leaves something to be desired for this team one-third of the way through the season. But enough plays were made down the stretch — consecutive defensive stops in the final nine seconds the pivotal moments — that helped the Illini avoid a repeat of a last weekend’s last-second loss to Tennessee and take home the Braggin’ Rights trophy for the second straight season.
had never coached his team to consecutive Braggin’ Rights victories until Sunday. This one wasn’t a blowout like last year, but it still goes down as back-to-back wins in a key rivalry game for the first time in Underwood’s tenure. It also assured Illinois a .500 finish against the SEC this season. Both wins came in games the Illini were more likely/expected to win, but any wins against the best conference in the country are worth celebrating.
Another break in the schedule with a holiday to celebrate. Illinois (8-3) won’t be back in action until after Christmas with its penultimate nonconference game of the season Dec. 29 at home against Chicago State. (The Duke game in February is the last non-Big Ten date on the schedule). The 0-14 Cougars basically epitomize the idea of a trap game with the Illini’s Pacific Northwest swing looming as the restart to conference play in the new year.
“After the last two years that have been pretty ugly basketball games for the fans, I think we gave them a great show (Sunday). Very proud of this group. We fought through a lot. This is a team that’s 11 games into their growth. We’ve played a very, very tough and demanding schedule, and there’s been some unbelievable learning opportunities in that stretch. (Sunday) was one.”
— Underwood after his team weathered a late Missouri charge for the win
topped 20 points for the sixth straight game, but the Illini don’t win Sunday afternoon in St. Louis without Boswell. The junior guard fought his jump shot, going 2 of…
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Author : The News-Gazette, Champaign-Urbana, Ill.
Publish date : 2024-12-23 04:59:00
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