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Illinois lost to Wisconsin on Tuesday night, 75-63, to extend their losing streak to eight games.
In the bizness, we call that a lede. My hands are tied by the book and writing rules because even if the energy isn't there, and you can't curse or "turn up" or get excited about this team, you still need to tell the facts. These are said facts.
- I don't remember a game that quiet, uninspired and boring. The end of Bruce Weber's tenure produced similar losses, but more people booed at those.
- Rayvonte Rice played well, but there was no hype. I didn't turn up. He didn't either. He just went about his business in an empty building against a team that couldn't do a thing but hit garbage 3-pointers.
- Illinois lost.
- Illinois keeps losing.
- When will they win again? That question was asked as a joke 3 weeks ago, but now it's posed as a reality. Honestly, when will the Illini win again? It'll have to be as an underdog, because I don't see us entering any contests as a favorite anymore.
- Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Illinois had their chances in this game. Honestly, they played well. Rayvonte Rice led the way with 24 points and nine rebounds. He looks fully healthy again, finally. Helping his cause were Joseph Bertand and Nnanna Egwu with 11 and 10 points, respectively. Kendrick Nunn had a few pretty plays. A couple other cool things happened. I don't know.
Still, we lost. Now we've lost eight straight.
I hate this, especially when "this" took place in a year we beat Missouri. That'll be our championship--blissful at the time, but the drink to our drunk dreams in retrospect. Losses have flooded that memory. I'm hungover. I just puked.
Illinois is a proud institution, dammit.
— The Champaign Room (@Champaign_Room) February 5, 2014
NEXT GAME: Illinois vs. Penn State - Sunday Feb. 9 - 3:15 p.m. CT
