Quick thoughts on a 75-71 overtime loss to Illinois:
How it happened: In a game it needed to win to bolster its NCAA tournament chances, Indiana came out and played arguably its best first half of the season on Thursday night in Assembly Hall. Despite continued struggles by Trayce Jackson-Davis against Kofi Cockburn, the Hoosiers rode a solid first half offensive performance (1.25 PPP) and led No. 12 Illinois by seven at halftime. Indiana had just four turnovers in the first half, made 10 of its 13 free throw attempts and grabbed five offensive rebounds that led to seven second-chance points.