What happened
The Illini led by as many as six points against the No. 4 Cyclones, but Iowa State flexed its muscle late, pulling away and sending the Illini to their fourth straight defeat against a top-5 team.
What it means
When fully healthy, this team can be competitive against anyone, but we might not see it as Illinois awaits word on the severity of the injury to big man Mike Thorne Jr.
What’s next
The much-anticipated return to the newly renovated State Farm Center on Wednesday, where, against Notre Dame, the Illini will look to end a two-game skid in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.