By Chris HineA break could not have come at a better time for Illinois. That's about the only positive that can be said about Illinois' week.
On Wednesday, for the first time since 1999, the Illini head into their Christmas break having lost to rival Missouri.
But just because the Illini are off the next few days doesn't mean they will put Wednesday's 81-68 "Braggin' Rights" loss, or the defeat at the hands of Georgia that proceeded it, out of their minds.
"I'm going to think about it, whether I want to or not," Mike Tisdale said.
Photo: Illinois' Mike Davis pulls down a rebound during last night's loss to Missouri. (Jeff Roberson/AP)
There's a lot to think about. Against Georgia, the Illini were dominated on the boards, but in the first half against Missouri, the Illini held the Tigers to just one offensive rebound. That changed in the second half, when Missouri crashed the glass and recovered a number of long rebounds to build its lead. Missouri had 13 offensive rebounds in the second half. One of those came when the Illini cut Missouri's lead to six with just under 6:30 to play.
Marcus Denmon grabbed an offensive rebound, and shortly thereafter, Kim English hit a 3-pointer to break Illinois' momentum. The Illini never recovered from the body blow.
"The second-half rebounds just cost us," Illinois coach Bruce Weber said.
The Illini will resume practice Sunday as they prepare for their first Big Ten matchup against Northwestern on Wednesday.
"If we're going to make progress, they've got to come back with some energy and excitement," Weber said. "I don't know if the word's vengeance, but they've got to come with a commitment, there's no doubt."
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