Illini comeback falls short

CHAMPAIGN - What looked to be one of the worst Illini games in Assembly Hall history turned out to have a pretty exciting ending. 

The Illini trailed the Minnesota Golden Gophers by 19 points with just seven minutes remaining before going on a 28-9 run to close the game out. A last second attempt at a win was denied as D.J. Richardson's three point shot fell short at the buzzer and the Gophers held on to a 62-60 win. 

Both teams came out flat. The score was tied at two over six minutes into the game. The Illini flirted with a dubious Assembly Hall record when they only had 14 points in the entire first half. 

Minnesota added to their 10-point halftime advantage before the Illini went on their run. 

Illinois' run was made possible by Bill Cole, the only Illini player to have a good game. Cole went 5-for-9 from beyond the arc for 15 points. 

"Billy did a nice job giving us a chance," Illinois head coach Bruce Weber said. "He was the one who gave us a boost of energy that allowed us to make it close."

The Illini lived and died from the three-point line. Well actually, they died, came back to life, and then died again. The team only made nine of their 36 attempts. The 28-9 run that brought them back to life was almost exclusively three-point baskets. 

And there was a reason for that. Illinois could do nothing inside. Both Mike Tisdale and Mike Davis had a hard time against the bigger Minnesota defenders. 

"They (Minnesota) are the leading shot blocking team in the conference," Weber said. "Part of it was that and part was the physicality of our guys."

Demetri McCamey was also ineffective, fouling out in the second half with only nine points and one rebound. 

The Illini got their shots off, a resounding 72 of them. But it is tough to win shooting 31 percent from the field. 

It was an ugly game for the Illini. Worse, it could be the game that keeps them out of the NCAA tournament. If Illinois cannot upset Ohio State or Wisconsin in their final two regular season contests, they will most likely need to win a pair of games in the Big Ten Tournament 

"We have a tough schedule ahead of us. Every team we've played in the last eight games has been in the top 25 at some point or another," Weber said. "It's been a big stretch for us."

"We've kept our head above water, but now the shark has got us by the leg and is pulling us down."

Of note: Extra security was on hand because Jeff Jordan's father, Michael Jordan, was in section AA47 cheering on his son. 

Photo: Illinois forward Bill Cole (30) was the only Illini player to play well, leading the team with 15 points on five three-point baskets.