Two different Illinois teams took the court on Thursday night against Northwestern.
The one from the first half? Probably would be sitting at the bottom of the conference with lowly Minnesota.
When Boo Buie outscores your entire team himself for a half, it’s probably not a good sign.
But whatever switch was flipped in the locker room following that first half beatdown is a switch I hope stays on as we approach the month of March, because the team from the second half? That team can beat anyone.
Illinois completely turned the tide in the second half on Thursday night, outscoring Northwestern 47-25 and completing an improbable comeback to ensure the ‘Cats wouldn’t sweep the season series for the first time since 1966.