Illinois hoops at the crossroads

Going into the season, a 10-3 nonconference record would have seemed reasonable enough. With five high-profile opponents, four of them on neutral courts, Illinois wasn't going to win them all.

Now 10-3 doesn't seem as encouraging. Sports is about momentum, and the No. 21 Illini, who figure to drop out of the Top 25 today after two straight losses, don't have it at the moment.

Herb Gould