CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Wake up and smell the coffee, college basketball is finally here.
The Kansas exhibition was a great taste of this year’s Illini, but Monday was the true start to the grind.
In a game where Illinois was 26.5-point favorites, it took them awhile to get rolling. Once they settled in though, the foot stayed on the gas petal.
A strong second half showing — powered by 18 points from Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn — helped the Illini cruise past EIU 80-52.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The beginning of this game was not pretty at all.