NICEVILLE, Fla. — Illinois’ 2-3 start to the season has just about everyone following the program searching for answers.
Fans, basketball alumni and media are wondering why the Illini have played so shakily out of the gates. And, in particular, they’re scratching their heads trying to figure out the slow starts to games that have seen the Illini trail by double figures early against North Florida, North Dakota State, Chattanooga and Chicago State.
Inside the Illinois locker room, they’re searching for answers, too. Even at the top.
After Illinois came back from a 14-point deficit to defeat Chicago State 82-79 on Monday in Springfield, junior Malcolm Hill was asked if he could explain the Illini’s lethargic starts.