EAST LANSING, Mich. — Close, however no cigar.
For the third weekend in a row, Illinois had the chance to knock off a prime ten-ranked Big Ten foe on the street. No. 5 Illinois pushed No. 10 Michigan State to overtime on Saturday evening at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, however the Spartans got here out on prime, 85-82.
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With the loss, Illinois (20-4, 11-2 Big Ten) falls to second place in the Big Ten behind Michigan, whereas Michigan State (20-4, 10-3 Big Ten) strikes into sole possession of fourth place.
Despite a tough displaying from star freshman Keaton Wagler, no Kylan Boswell, and a poor capturing evening, the Illini had been capable of persevere and take Michigan State to overtime.
It merely wasn’t Wagler’s evening in East Lansing. The Kansas native completed the primary half 0-for-5 from the ground with simply two factors. His second half wasn’t a lot better, as he shot simply 1-for-9 in opposition to a bodily, aggressive Michigan State protection. Wagler did end with 16 factors, however 10 of these got here from the free throw line.
“He was due,” Brad Underwood emphasised concerning Wagler’s struggles. “It’s just the law of averages. He was due. They did a good job. I’ll give them all the credit. They did a nice job, but those are the same exact shots he’s been making all season long. Tonight, he got some good looks. He missed ‘em. Next game. Shooters can’t worry about tough nights.”
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The first half of this primetime matchup was backwards and forwards and extremely even in practically each group statistic. Both squads acquired balanced scoring efforts team-wide.
The Ivisic brothers anchored the Illini early, each nailing three-pointers in the primary six minutes. David Mirkovic and Andrej Stojakovic’s 9 and eight first-half factors, respectively, helped Illinois survive the rowdy Breslin Center as Wagler struggled. Veteran Ben Humrichous got here up enormous as nicely, flattening two triples in the opening half.
The second half started with a bang, particularly in comparison with a slower, extra bodily first half. Illinois prolonged their result in 9 factors throughout the first minute of the half, however an 8-0 Spartans run knotted the sport at 47 shortly after.
The recreation remained backwards and forwards from that time on. With Keaton Wagler struggling, Illinois turned to Mirkovic to provoke the offense and Stojakovic to go and get buckets. The Balkan duo mixed for 16 of Illinois’ 32 factors in the second half and confirmed up in enormous methods at vital moments late in the sport.
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Michigan State’s Kur Teng made a go-ahead three with below ten seconds to play, however the Spartans fouled Illinois’ Jake Davis with a second to go. Davis calmly knocked down two free throws to ship the sport to overtime, tied 71-71.
In overtime, Illinois did acquire a lead, however a Jeremy Fears-led 7-0 Michigan State run successfully ended Illinois’ evening. Michigan State went 8-for-9 from the charity stripe in overtime which helped ice the sport.
The contrasting types of the 2 groups had been on show all evening. Michigan State dominated in transition, outscoring Illinois 22-0 on quick breaks.
Illinois, then again, took regardless of the Spartans protection gave all of them evening. It was an uncharacteristically poor capturing efficiency from the Fighting Illini. Illinois shot simply 36.6% from the ground and 27.8% from distance.
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“Nothing we haven’t seen before,” mentioned Underwood of Michigan State’s protection. “We took 36 threes. You give me Jake Davis shooting those threes that were wide open. You give me Mirk and you give me Tomi…Those are the shots we want to take. Tonight, they just didn’t go down. Keaton got some really good looks. That’s just the game of basketball.”
Stat Stuffers
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Andrej Stojakovic (ILL) — 17 factors, 7 rebounds
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David Mirkovic (ILL) — 18 factors, 6 rebounds, 6 assists
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Jeremy Fears Jr. (MSU) — 26 factors, 15 assists
Moments that Mattered
Yet one other questionable play from Jeremy Fears Jr.
An enormous first-half triple from Hummer.
Jake Davis nook three.
Looking Ahead
Illinois returns residence for a two-game homestead that brings Wisconsin and Indiana to city.
The Illini are again in motion on Tuesday in opposition to the Badgers.