CHAMPAIGN - With one last chance before the Big 10 Tournament to add a quality win to their NCAA Tournament resume, the Illini came up short. It seems like this team is either focused or distracted. Lately, the latter has been true more than the former. The Illini could not get much going in their 72-57 loss to the Wisconsin Badgers Saturday at Assembly Hall. The Badgers led from the outset.
Illinois began to put together one of their second half comebacks, but the closest they came was within six.
Mike Tisdale (16 points) and Bill Cole (14) led the Illini in scoring.
Wisconsin's Jordan Taylor had 20 points for the Badgers and was praised after the game by head coach Bo Ryan.
"He plays with great heart," Ryan said.
The difference between Saturday's game and the early season affair where the Illini stunned the Badgers on their home floor was just Wisconsin's shooting. Their two leading scorers went 0-for-15 in the other game and they only lost by six.
When Wisconsin shoots well, they will win. If not, they just open the door.
The Badgers are the better team and that should continue as the two hook up Friday in the Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis.
Illinois needs a win to have a chance at the NCAA Tournament, but it does not look like they will get it. Losses to Minnesota, Wisconsin and Ohio State in the last week of the season has seemed to demoralize this bunch. I hope I'm wrong, but the team doesn't look like they are coming together.
The only positive from Sunday's blowout loss was that seniors Dominique Keller, Richard Semrau and Bubba Chisholm were able to play in the game's final minute.
Photo: Illinois forward Mike Tisdale (54) posts up against Wisconsin's Jon Leuer (30) during the Illini's loss to the Badgers Sunday.
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