Illini Hang-On to Dump UCLA, 83-78

By Jeff Mayfield

[February 12, 2025]  Champaign Urbana- When I was a kid growing up in Southern California, I only knew of one team and one sport. It was college basketball and the team was the UCLA Bruins. I would stay up with my Dad after the news they would run the replay of UCLA’s game earlier that night that had not been televised. I’d usually make until halftime then ask my Dad in the morning-did we win? And he’d always say yes…or more times than not. I still like UCLA, but not as much as the Illini. Little did I know that years later I would devote much of my adult (and yes, I use the word adult rather loosely) to following the Illinois Fighting Illini. Tuesday night in a rocking State Farm Center, the beloved Illini built up what appeared to be a safe lead only to see it evaporate down to two points. Somehow the good guys held on to come away with a big home court victory, 83-78.

UCLA had won seven games in a row and there may not have been a hotter team in the country, so you knew it was not going to be easy. And as it turned out, it wasn’t. On a night that the U of I welcomed former All-American center Kofi Cockburn, retired his jersey and pulled it into the rafters, the Illini tried to cough up a big lead and the contest. However, mama always said to practice your free throws daily, you never know when a big game will come down to them. Mama was right as Tuesday night was one of those games. Let’s check out our 3 stars:

#1 Kasparas Jakucionis

He was all over the floor and all over the court. He finished the night with 24 points that included three made three’s and 5 of 6 from the free throw line. He hauled down 8 rebounds including 3 offensive boards, tallied 4 assists, and 1 block. But his hustle plays saw him constantly diving on the court keeping balls alive and in play. He truly is worth the price of admission just to see what he’s going to do next. He hit a bomb late in the shot clock towards the end of the game that may have been the dagger.

#2 Tomislav Ivisic

Simply put, Tomi was terrific! He is so imposing in the lane that he discourages penetration. On offense, he is not only perhaps this team’s best passer, he may be the best passer in the Big Ten! Tonight, he contributed 16 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal. But he is so dominant on the court that he influences what happens on both ends of the floor. He is a true difference maker.

#3 Kylan Boswell

He earned a spot as one of the stars on one stat among many. Kylan was a smooth and clutch 8 for 8 from the charity stripe! Mama was right; make your free throws during clutch time and win big games. Mama knew her college basketball! He also had 4 rebounds and 2 assists.

Honorable Mention
We could put these guys in any order:

Morez Johnson, Jr.

He calmly added 8 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 steal and really helped our work in the paint.

Will Riley

Another Freshmen making big contributions. He had 10 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block.

Ben Humrichous

And don’t forget Ben Humrichous. He finished the contest with 9 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 1 block! What a nice night of timely additions for the cause!

Illinois made 11 3-pointers and you were feeling pretty good about that until you found out that UCLA made 12. But Illinois did out-rebound the Bruins 36-23 and out shot them 51%-48%. This win now makes Illinois’ record 17-8 overall and 9-6 in the Big Ten.

The Illini will next host the Michigan State Spartans Saturday night at 7pm at home.

[By JEFF MAYFIELD]

Respond to the writer at [e-mail].