Illini Fade in 2nd Half in Loss to the Spartans

By Jeff Mayfield

[February 17, 2025]  Champaign Urbana-The University of Illinois faded in the 2nd half on their way to a 79-65 loss to the Michigan State Spartans. I know this sounds like fake news but it’s not; as the Illini missed their last 19 consecutive shots and failed to score from the field in the last 8 minutes plus of the ball game. I’ve been watching games for several decades but I’m quite sure I’ve never witnessed in person a performance like that. With the win, MSU Head Coach Tom Izzo passed Bobby Knight as the winningest coach in Big Ten history.

We don’t award stars when nothing has been accomplished, but this loss has graver consequences. It will now be virtually impossible to snag a double bye for the upcoming Big Ten Tourney because the Illini have let too many teams slip in front of them.

This game was not Illinois’ finest defensive outing and their offense seemed to disappear the last ten minutes of the contest. With the brutal schedule that the Illini finish the season with, it may be difficult to prepare and ready themselves for post-season tournament action.

What’s even scarier is that the Illini have two more tough games this week. Tuesday night they go into the always tough Kohl Fieldhouse for a battle with the rejuvenated Wisconsin Badgers, who are currently on fire. Then just for fun, they’ll suit up Saturday in a neutral contest hosted in Madison Square Garden against the 3rd ranked team in the country, the Duke Blue Devils. Maybe with the pressure off the Illini will catch their second wind and reward their fans with some incredible victories.

[By JEFF MAYFIELD]

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