Thoughts on a 96-80 win over the Illini:
The free fall is over.
As darkness fell on a sunny, chilly Bloomington Saturday, Indiana stepped onto Branch McCracken Court meaning business. There was no slow start. No silly turnovers. No wondering where the intensity or focus was. Indiana raced out to a 15-0 lead early in the first half and Illinois never seriously threatened the rest of the contest, as nine is as close as the Illini would get.
Did IU fail to defend at a high level in the second half?