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9 things really wrong with Illini basketball right now

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Last night the #23 Illini lost at home to a Northwestern team that has their coach squarely on the hot seat, is reeling from injuries and without their best player in Drew Crawford. The loss was the third in a row by double digits for the Illini, and the three defeats have been even more lopsided than the scores indicate. This shouldn't be happening to a team that was ranked in … [Read more...] about 9 things really wrong with Illini basketball right now

Illini guard D.J. Richardson can’t seem to find his shot

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After starting 12-0 the Illinois Fighting Illini are 2-3 in their last 5. And one of those wins was rather ugly. A big reason for their recent struggles is the ramped up level of competition as Big Ten play has begun. But it's also they fact the team lives and dies by the three, and no one was more so than senior guard D.J. Richardson. Of all his field goal attempts on the … [Read more...] about Illini guard D.J. Richardson can’t seem to find his shot

#11 Illini crush #8 Ohio State, rebound literally and figuratively

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This is what it's like to rebound: both winning the battle on the glass and coming back from a loss. In their last three games (Mizzou, Auburn and Purdue) the Illini got owned on the backboards and went 1-2. In their Big Ten opener Illinois got upset by a .500 Purdue team. The loss was shocking, but the #11 Illini recovered nicely, CRUSHING the #8 Ohio State Buckeyes 74-55 in … [Read more...] about #11 Illini crush #8 Ohio State, rebound literally and figuratively

#12 Illini struggle too often in beating bad teams

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The 12th ranked Illinois Fighting Illini have struggled this pre-conference season in blowing out/closing out teams that are supposedly very inferior to them. When you're a top 15 ranked team, with very solid signature wins over #13 Gonzaga and #18 Butler, you should handle the mid-major and low-major scrubs very easily. But the Illini don't do that. They let bad teams hang … [Read more...] about #12 Illini struggle too often in beating bad teams

Illini seniors D.J. Richardson and Brandon Paul lead the way

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The Illinois Fighting Illini suffered their first loss last night to Mizzou, but they're still 12-1. And nationally ranked. I think any Illinois fan would have taken 12-1 at this point when the season started. This Illini team will go as far as their seniors will take them. And I'm not talking about Tyler Griffey. Four year starter guards D.J. Richardson and Brandon Paul are … [Read more...] about Illini seniors D.J. Richardson and Brandon Paul lead the way

#10 Illinois Fighting Illini suffer first loss to #17 Missouri

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Before we get to the breakdown of what happened in the Illinois Fighting Illini first loss, (Illinois was one of the last 6 unbeaten teams remaining in the nation) suffered at the hands of the Missouri Tigers 82-73, a few observations and notes on this series and rivalry overall, with updated stats. -Why is this even called the Braggin' Rights game? I mean seriously, how … [Read more...] about #10 Illinois Fighting Illini suffer first loss to #17 Missouri

#63 Illinois Fighting Illini: College Basketball 111 in 111

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Welcome to The Sports Bank’s third annual college basketball season preview series.  Two years we looked at 99 teams in 99 days.  Last year, we were slightly more aggressive and expanded to 111 teams in 111 days and will do so again as we look ahead to the 2012-2013 season. We will rank the 75 power conference teams and top 36 mid-majors in reverse power ranking order. … [Read more...] about #63 Illinois Fighting Illini: College Basketball 111 in 111