Illini season comes to an end by Houston, 68-53

By Jeff Mayfield

[March 26, 2022] 

The Illinois Fighting Illini saw their dreams dashed and their season come to an abrupt end as the Houston Cougars beat the 68-53 Sunday morning in Pittsburg, PA. So, it really is a grey Monday out there today even if the sun is shining. Illinois had high hopes that this would be the team to take them back to the Final Four, but it was not to be.

Somebody posted on social media that the Illini were something like 10% lower on shooting percentages their last three games, 15% lower on 3-point percentages, and averaged 20 points lower on total points for a game. You are not going to beat very many teams when you are trending in that direction.

Many will ask as to what went wrong. Usually you can see the reason behind the statistics rather easily. Maybe someone is injured or has just come off a suspension or a rough personal trauma, just a variety of things. This funk that Illinois found itself in the last three games is not so easily explained.

I’m not sure what went wrong. Obviously, low shooting percentages do not bode well for any team-brilliant hey Sherlock? But at times the defense and rebounding disappeared and that has been something this team has hung its hat on all season. Another struggle was with the turnovers. That was a problem earlier in the season and the coaches cleaned that up enough to win the Big Ten Regular Season Championship. But it did rear its ugly head again these last few games and I’m not too sure why.

My hunch-is these guys wanted to win so badly. Sometimes when that happens there can be a little more tightness playing with the weight of the world on your shoulders. It can lead to missed defensive assignments, lower shooting percentages, and uncharacteristic turnovers. The Illini just didn’t look like they were moving freely, with purpose, and with their usual swagger. Part of that is that tournament games seem to be slower and more deliberate. There is a feeling-out period in each game to see how the game is going to be called and sometimes a game can get away from you.
 

Your guess is as good as mine. I just write what I see. I can tell you this. It is great to be competitive again! It is great to be back in the conversation again. This team accomplished so much and everyone should be grateful. Do we want more? Of course we do! But so do the players and coaches. Take every opportunity to thank them for bringing this program back from the abyss. I believe that years from now this team will be remembered as fondly as any Illini team in history!

I know I will remember them fondly and I am so grateful for such a wonderful ride. The future of this program is very bright and I can’t wait for the next chapter!

[By JEFF MAYFIELD]

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