CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Indiana freshman Mackenzie Mgbako walked off the floor underneath the Illinois basket, talking to himself and with his hands on his head after exiting the handshake line.
It was a frustrating 70-62 road loss for the Hoosiers, who faced a tall task against the No. 10 Fighting Illini. But Mgbako, while visibly frustrated, played one of his better games in the cream and crimson.
Mgbako finished with 12 points and 12 rebounds, his first double-double, in a team-high 37 minutes. Four of his rebounds were offensive, resulting in six second-chance points. The New Jersey native’s effort was outstanding on the defensive end, an area he struggled in earlier in the season.