CHAMPAIGN — Wisconsin had committed more turnovers 30 seconds into the second half of Wednesday night's game at State Farm Center than it averaged per game for the year.
Do-everything forward Ethan Happ was responsible for several of them as he battled mistakes and foul trouble.
Putting together a game plan to beat the Badgers? That was it. The pieces were lining up for Illinois to not only get a signature win at home but also snap a 13-game losing streak to the Badgers.
Save for one nitpicky detail. Shots just weren't falling for the Illini, and Nate Reuvers effectively canceled out another strong performance by Illinois freshman forward Giorgi Bezhanishvili.