Notes: Missed layups hurt Illini in loss

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Statistics don’t always provide the full story. They can, at times, be misleading. But when it comes down to the percentages Illinois and Indiana shot of their easiest opportunities Wednesday night, the statistics were revealing.

The Hoosiers made 16 of 25 layups and were perfect on their three dunk attempts. The Illini? They made both of their dunks, but got fewer layups with 18 attempts and made just nine.

“We had to be tougher with the basketball,” Illinois coach Brad Underwood said. “We had probably six or eight balls knocked out of our hands at the rim. We missed huge momentum plays when you come up with a steal and miss a layup. I think we had three or four of those.…