Two things come to mind that I want to give some credit.
1. The loss of TSjr., in spite of his really stepping up and improving his offensive skills over the past 9 months, is not nearly missed as much on the offensive end as it is on the defensive end. This team can fill the void on offense and fill the net....and they have given excellent proof of that capability.
However, it is blatantly noticeable that TSjr. had committed himself to improving his defensive effort also. Having two guys with the size, strength, and quickness of Ty and TJjr. to guard Smith and Loyer is a dream come true at the right time for BU.. Unfortunately, though Goode does not lack for effort on defense, Harmon does at times, Luke does not have the foot speed to be as effective and Harmon does not have the size. I sure don't expect either to agree, but that aspect of this game does not work out to the advantage of our guys. It provides a bit more of a challenge against Purdue's guards. Here's hoping that an elite effort by both will meet that challenge.
2. Luke Goode, at the start of the season, looked a bit slow on defense, but was shooting very dependably. Lately, his shot, though generally as good as ever, has been finding the heel of the rim instead of the net. Although we should all know it is only a matter of time until that arrow swings back the other way, two things have dramatically improved in Luke's game. a) He is rebounding with more effort and tenacity than ever and b) he is working hard on defense and getting better with moving his feet more quickly as well as anticipating passes and movement of the opposition. That is making him more effective to the team play and game outcome than just standing in the corner, waiting to do his thing from the arc. Not that he was ever limited to that, but I just want to acknowledge his improvement and process in being a valuable cog in the Illini defensive machine. I watch Goode's defense maybe too often, having expected him to be a defensive Dawg before finally coming to realize he lacked the foot/leg speed. And yet, I see improvement in that area, along with playing better team defense and occasionally over playing the passing lanes. He may not be able to guard Steph Curry, but the team does not take a hit on defense when he is on the floor. And his rebounding and willingness to hit the deck have been elite.
At the start of every season, and especially this season, I am always looking forward to Illini players learning to play the game in the way it needs to be played to win. Generally, the shortcomings become evident by Jan. 1. That has not been the case this year for the first time since 89 and 05. This group is willing to change and play differently, almost every game. The hoops IQ of this group is extremely impressive to me...right to the man. There have been so many times in the past that I have been disappointed by blunder after blunder. Sure, we still see high risk passes producing least desirable outcomes, but the level of play and its continuance has been a joy to watch. Slam dunks and blocks into row 5 don't impress me in the least. The extra pass to a better shot, quick defensive help, solid legal screens, making FTs (with dependable technique), shooting on balance, and blocking out are a few aspects I expect from B1G warriors. This group, as a team, are doing those things in spades...and many more. As BU said in the postgame presser, every team looks good when hitting shots. That will change, but winning will not if they can get even better at playing the game.