The Illini dug a hole they couldn’t quite climb out of in this one against the Buckeyes on Saturday.
This is becoming a concerning pattern for this Illini team, who also found themselves down 15 at the half against Northwestern just 10 days ago.
Hot perimeter shooting from the Buckeyes and a number of careless turnovers from the Illini got them back on their heels early, forcing them to dig deeper a make a run towards the end of the first half and into the second. Poor free throw shooting and stagnant offense plagued the Illini once again as well.