MADISON, Wis. — Illinois wasn’t appearing any withered emotions towards its opponent when it declined to take part in a postgame handshake.
As a number of avid gamers do business in with a virulent disease, the Preventing Illini simply sought after to build positive they didn’t unfold germs day congratulating Wisconsin nearest shedding 95-74 to the Eleventh-ranked Badgers on Tuesday evening.
“They don’t need this,” Illinois mentor Brad Underwood stated nearest the sport. “In 38 years (as a head coach and assistant), I’ve never seen anything like what’s gone through our team.”
Illinois (17-10, 9-8) remainder in excellent place to earn a 5th consecutive NCAA event bid.
“We’re going to survive,” Underwood stated. “We’re going to be fine. We’re a really good basketball team. We’ve proved that.”
However the Illini are coping with all forms of setbacks off and on the court docket as they face essentially the most hard a part of their time table.
Freshman ahead Morez Johnson Jr. needy his wrist day blockading a shot throughout a 79-65 loss to Incorrect. 14 Michigan State on Saturday, however many of the Illini’s roster problems are because of weakness in lieu than shock.
Tomislav Ivisic, the Illini’s main rebounder and second-leading scorer, got here off the bench for the primary era all season Tuesday as he attempted to play games day ill. Underwood stated Ivisic didn’t advance with the staff, in lieu riding to Wisconsin on his personal.
Ivisic completed with seven issues and 3 rebounds in 21 mins. He already handled mononucleosis and an ankle shock previous this moment, critically restricting his apply era.
Underwood stated conserve ahead Jake Davis sought after to play games however were given ill nearest pregame warmups.
“We don’t know who we have from day to day,” Underwood stated. “I didn’t know who I was starting today.”
Illinois’ main scorer Tuesday was once Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn, who was once ill previous this while. Next going scoreless and enjoying a complete of 14 mins within the 3 video games main as much as this one, Gibbs-Lawhorn had 17 issues and 5 assists towards Wisconsin.
“Right now, we’re going through a stretch that’s difficult,” stated ahead Ben Humrichous, who scored 13 issues Tuesday. “But we’re a good basketball team, and we know it.”
The stretch isn’t getting any more straightforward. Illinois will speed a split from Obese Ten festival and head to Fresh York to stand Incorrect. 3 Duke at Madison Sq. Grassland on Saturday.
“It’s David playing Goliath in the next one,” Underwood stated. “We’re going to show up, and we’re going to fight.”
