CHAMPAIGN — A clear line can be drawn from almost every Illinois loss this season to the next.
The Illini faced a 12-point deficit within the first 6-plus minutes against West Virginia in Brooklyn. Illinois lost that Thanksgiving Day game by 22 to the then-No. 19 Mountaineers.
An 11-point deficit after just more than seven minutes at Maryland? Lost by 25.
Down 10 at Indiana before the first media timeout? Lost by 16.
Trail Purdue by 10 with 14:06 still on the clock in the first half? Lost by 23.
Give Wisconsin a 10-point cushion after just more than four minutes at home?