It was looking like a potential upset in Bloomington, Ind. Until it wasn't. Illinois put together one of its best stretches early in the first half, but struggled to finish again.
What it means
Figuring out how to play with the kind of effort and execution from early in the first half for a full 40 remains a work in progress, and the Illini will take their lumps.
What's next
Illinois (4-10, 0-3 Big Ten) has one more road trip — a noon Sunday date at Northwestern (9-5, 0-3) — before it plays its first conference game at home.