21 points and 12 rebounds for Andrej Stojakovic off the bench. Fantastic bounce back after being a non-factor against Michigan. If we can get him going again, especially defensively and on the glass, it unlocks another level for this team.

Let AJ Redd cook

Thank you, Seniors! 🧡💙 Kylan Boswell Ben Humrichous AJ Redd

AJ REDD!!!!!!

Nice defensive response from the #illini in a game that looked like Oregon had more energy at the U16. I’d expect the Ducks to start making some threes, but Illinois has been much better in gaps cutting off drives

HALF: #illini 41, Oregon 21 Illinois ends the half on a 38-12 run, outscores Oregon 21-6 from three. Keaton Wagler 11 points, 4 ast, 3 reb Andrej Stojakovic 6 pts, 6 reb Zvonimir Ivisic 5 pts, 4 reb, 2 blk

Illinois rolling out a much more conservative defensive look tonight. Helping in gaps and conceding Oregon (248th best 3-point shooting team) semi-open looks without allowing much of anything at the rim. Feels like Illinois needs to go back to this after letting UCLA/UM live in the paint.

21-0 run 🔥🔥🔥🔥

The Tomislav Ivisic no look bounce pass to Davis Mirkovic

When Zvonimir Ivisic is locked in defensively, he is such a weapon. Already with at least 1 block and what feels like 3 other shots altered. Need to get him back to this level of energy / effort consistently, because it changes Illinois’ defense dramatically.

Really like Illinois’ guards using the split-second hesitation on the pick-and-pops to create indecision for Oregon’s defenders. Was WAY too predictable for Michigan’s defense and didn’t create any advantages. Ducks off to a 9-7 lead in Champaign.

"A hometown hero that got to find his way back home." Kylan Boswell passed on #illini the first time. But the Champaign native and UI legacy has thrived in his homecoming after some tumult at Arizona. The Champaign kid's story entering Senior Night ⤵️

Brad Underwood calling the timeout down 18 when he could’ve waited to be down 21

Turned off for my sanity. Here’s what I’ll say: it can still be a fun March. We won’t reach the level we want to reach as a program (aka, title contender) if we don’t instill a defensive philosophy that actually works. You can not be an elite basketball team giving up lay-up lines in your own gym.

I’m sorry, Kylan Boswell should never be allowed to take a three off the dribble unless there is 1 second on the shot clock.

Tomislav Ivisic: 1/6 from three

This ⬇️. Undisciplined defense has been the limiting factor for this team. Too many breakdowns and bad ball screen coverage. And it hasn’t been the absence of Kylan Boswell. Lay-ups and dunks for Michigan. Trapping on the perimeter in the half-court seems like a bad game plan.

I will scream it from the rooftops: Ben Humrichous not getting more minutes is hurting our chances in these big games, especially defensively. Imagine saying that in 2024/25.

That is a MASSIVE Ben Humrichous offensive rebound —-> Keaton Wagler three. I don’t know how this is a 5-point game, but it’s a 5-point game.

At a certain point, do everything possible to force Michigan to shoot jumpers — zone?!? It’s the UCLA game all over again where chasing off ball screens = lay-up or dunk for the opponent. I’m beyond frustrated with the defensive game-plan once again.

The complete inability to get a defensive stop against good teams has destroyed this team.

Honestly, we’ve been on the other side of these types of games all season and have seen way too many “should-have-been-wins” For once, can we flip the switch? 20 more minutes. Let’s go.

I didn’t think I’d say it, but I’d like to see more possessions with Kylan Boswell on the ball. Too many Keaton Wagler possessions are too indecisive and are ending in tough looks. Keaton off the ball spaces the floor and let’s Kylan out-physical their guards and get Michigan in foul trouble.

1st half played out exactly how Michigan would have dreamed: — Illinois goes 21% from three — Michigan gets on the defensive glass and gets out in transition — 20-17 rebounding advantage for the Wolverines Your 2 superpowers (3P shooting, offensive rebounding) have not been an advantage.

This was unlikely to be an Andrej Stojakovic game, and so far, it has not been an Andrej Stojakvoic game. Challenging UM at the rim with Mara down low is a fool’s errand.

Michigan’s length and athleticism is a problem. The achilles heel has been letting then get out in transition. Worst offense was letting Nimari Burnett get a wide open three OFF A MAKE. That’s a recipe for a loss.

Big 7:28 here to set the tone for the rest of the game. I’ve thought Michigan has been the better / more poised team by a good margin, but Kylan Boswell has brought great energy too. Defensive rebound and stop throwing the ball away at the other end.

I would love to see our student section making an opposing team free throw difficult, even if chicken nuggets aren’t on the line…

Kylan Boswell game… 💪💪

Illinois has to win the rebounding battle tonight to pull this one out, and the Wolverines are up 9-6 on the glass early.

I never doubted the crowd but WOW! I hope the atmosphere is as electric as it looks on T.V. 10-8 good guys at U16. First foul on Morez after Jake Davis fights harder for the rebound.

ILL, baby. 🧡💙

Two words: Muck Fichigan.

Losses always sting a little less after sleeping on them — show up in March, and the UCLA meltdown is a distant memory. Glass Half Full = Illinois hasn’t lost a game in regulation since December Glass Half Empty = 3 very winnable games slipped away in the 2nd half

Illinois now 0-3 in OT this year and led each game by at least 9 at some point. Have to be better closing basketball games. Point blank. Period. Tonight was a disaster on all fronts.

I think we can safely say there are true defensive flaws for this team that limit it’s March ceiling, even when fully healthy. UCLA living at the rim tonight was a huge concern — like Fears and Boyd, Dent was able to get to his spots way too easily, and it allowed other guys to get wide open looks.

Giving up a point blank lay-up there is crazy. Truly crazy.

Yeah, that’s about right.

Offensive. Rebounds. Keaton!!! 🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶

Ben Humrichous is a FRICKIN WINNER MAN. What a block on that last possession. Absolutely massive.

Overtime in Westwood. WOW!

Ben Humrichous… MASSIVE THREE Time game at Pauley

Some tired legs on these 3-point shots. I’m not sure why. Just about nothing going down in the 2nd half — fight on the offensive glass keeping us alive. Meanwhile, Bruins can’t miss.

We are getting outplayed and out-hustled, but I can’t remember a worse string of luck in a long time.

This game is cursed

Have never needed a Jake David side-step corner 3 so badly.

Now, Tomislav Ivisic is down on the court. Looks like a right leg. But he's up and walking to the huddle. Jake Davis' 3-pointer ends an 11-miss streak from three and ties the game 69-69 with 7:52 left.

Sometimes, it’s not your night. And outside of the first 10 minutes, it’s very much been “not our night” Still a chance to win this too.

Weird game. I don’t hate the looks we’re getting offensively. UCLA’s been way more physical getting to the basket though, and that’s paid dividends in the second half. Keaton doing a nice job drawing contact and getting to the hoop.

I promise, statistically, a cold stretch is coming. Illinois’ defense has been far from stellar. But at a certain point, you’re playing the scouting report, and guys like Dailey are still making them.