Illini slump reaches six games
By Jeff Mayfield
Send a link to a friend
[January 27, 2014]
If you've been wondering where
all the Illini articles have gone, or if you're inquisitive about
the lack of features on Illinois basketball lately, I can sum up
their omission in one easy phrase: "There hasn't been anything to
write about." When you lose not one or two, but six games in a row,
you take yourself right out of any basketball-related conversation.
|
And that's exactly where the Illini find themselves right about now.
I'd rather tell you about my son's season in seventh-grade
basketball, as it has been way more exciting than the Illini as of
late. Since I'm assuming you will have little interest in the fames
and fortunes of junior high hoops, we'll stick to the issues at
hand.Like will the Illini ever win another basketball game? If
they do, how will they do it? And the answers to these questions are
not readily accessible. In fact, like we talked about last month,
there are not a lot of wins staring at you when you take a hard look
at the schedule. Illinois does have two home games coming up, but
they're both against top 25 ballclubs.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2014/Jan/27/images/ads/current/business_directory_button.png)
If Illinois has any visions of ever winning another game, it
would help to get production from all key players —
all on the same night. During this prolonged slump, it seems like
two or three players do all right, but then we have two or three go
into the tank. The next game, the characters in the cast just change
places.
[to top of second column] |
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2014/Jan/27/christian_village_lda_101813.png) The Illini will also need to get back to clamping down their
defense and being competitive on the boards as well. This is not
rocket science, but it does serve as a blueprint to get back on
track.
So, we'll see. Playing Iowa and Wisconsin will be a monster
challenge, but surprisingly so was playing Northwestern and Purdue.
Let's hope for the best and see if the Illini can get back on track.
If not, there won't be much to write about!
[By JEFF MAYFIELD]
Respond to the writer at
jeffqmay@gmail.com.
|