Box Score
The stats show how critical the missed free throws were in the game for the Illini, who only made 14 of 23 from the line. This has been a problem for them all year.
Also noteworthy is the lack of production from Carter (9 points in 37 minutes) and Randle (8 points in 26 minutes). The bench did not produce much either. This Illini team is just offensively challenged.
My biggest question is what is wrong with Jamar Smith. Mark Tupper confirmed my theory that he needs to see a shrink (link). Sad to hear that, but if his ankles are healed, it must be his head.
If we were panicked before, I guess we really are now. I will try to paint a couple of possible NCAA scenarios for the Illini this season:
1. Existing record is 14-7. We win the home games against Indiana, MSU, Minn., Northwestern and Michigan. We also win away games at Northwestern and Penn State. This would give Illinois a record of 21-10 overall, 9-7 in conference, and probably squeak into the NCAAs. If we lose one more game, it's tough to get in with an 8-8 record in Big 10.
2. We finish poorly the rest of the year, winning half our games. We end up resting our injured players, get healthy for the Big 10 tourney, and win the whole tournament to get to the NCAAs. Not likely, even when I think optimisticly about this team.
We have made the NCAAs most years with the last year out of the tourney being 1998-1999 season under Lon Kruger, so it will be tough to miss it this year.
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