Illinois is coming off back-to-back losses for the first time since November and is still in search of its first win over a ranked team.
www.stltoday.com
CHAMPAIGN — Illinois basketball was without star Kofi Cockburn, and had an uncharacteristic performance.
Without the star big man, the Illini lost by 15 to a Maryland team that was tied for last in the Big Ten before the contest. The defense failed to get stops while the offense went cold down the stretch.
“We had no fight,” coach Brad Underwood said. “Over my damn, dead body will that happen again.”
That puts Illinois on a two-game losing skid after a 6-0 start in conference play. It also gives the Illini a bad loss on its resume that still lacks a win over a ranked opponent after close home losses to No. 4 Purdue and No. 3 Arizona. No. 24 Illinois will get a chance to put an end to both of those streaks when it hosts No. 10 Michigan State on Tuesday at the State Farm Center.
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I like our chances WITH Kofi..........
WITHOUT Kofi we will get killed in the paint........Rocket Mort-gaggers have too many thugs to unleash in the paint if Kofi sits............I still don't think the gaggers are a top ten team but we need to get this win to keep our title hopes alive.....
WITH Kofi...................
Illini 74
gaggers 68
WITHOUT Kofi................
gaggers 70
Illini 62
GO ILLINI !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!