CHAMPAIGN, Ill.— In a game that was anticipated to be the biggest non-conference home game since Chris Paul and Wake Forest visited Champaign in 2004, Saturday did not disappoint.
Trying to win their sixth in a row, the Illini (7-3, 2-0 BIG) fell short against No. 11 Arizona in a high scoring affair. The Wildcats (9-0, 1-0 PAC 12) captured their ninth win of the season, 82-76 on Saturday afternoon at State Farm Center.
After struggling against full-court pressure last time out at Iowa, Arizona employed that same tactic against the Illini on Saturday. Without slithery Andre Curbelo, out for his fifth consecutive game, the Illini once again looked unprepared for the press.