Yes, the injuries have hurt Illinois.
Playing without key contributors like Mike Thorne Jr., Leron Black and Khalid Lewis at the start of Big Ten play, not to mention the season-long absence of Tracy Abrams, have Illinois fans feeling a bit glum ahead of the Illini's trip to Michigan State on Thursday night.
Looking for a positive? Well, Illinois does own a two-game win streak at the Breslin Center, the only opposing Big Ten arena where the Illini can say that.
OK, it's a stretch, but beat writer Scott Richey is here to give a breakdown on John Groce's program before the Illini tip off at 8 p.