Illinois Basketball Kicks Off Season with Charity Exhibition Against Ole Miss
On a brisk Sunday afternoon, the Illinois Fighting Illini traveled to Oxford, Mississippi, to face off against the Ole Miss Rebels in a charity exhibition game that marked the beginning of their 2024-25 basketball season. While the event aimed to raise funds for a good cause, the performance on the court left much to be desired for the Illini, who struggled to find their rhythm against a formidable opponent.
Starting Lineup and Early Struggles
As anticipated, head coach Brad Underwood opted for a youthful starting backcourt, featuring freshman guard Kasparas Jakucionis and junior guard Kylan Boswell. The frontcourt was anchored by graduate forward Ben Humrichous and freshman center Tomislav Ivisic, with junior forward Tre White rounding out the starting five. White, praised by Underwood for his consistency, edged out competition from freshman forward Will Riley and junior guard/forward Ty Rodgers for the final starting spot.
The game began with a bang for Ole Miss, who quickly established dominance by sinking three consecutive three-pointers, racing to a 9-2 lead. Illinois struggled to respond initially, with Ivisic and Jakucionis combining for the team’s first nine points. Jakucionis showcased his talent with an impressive one-legged shot off a euro step, but the Illini’s offensive execution was marred by turnovers.
Turnovers and Defensive Woes
Illinois’s inability to protect the basketball was glaring, as they committed multiple turnovers that allowed Ole Miss to score 20 points in the opening five minutes. Sophomore big man Carey Booth was the first player off the bench, replacing Humrichous early in the first half. As the game progressed, the Illini’s offensive struggles continued, with Jakucionis, Humrichous, and Riley all missing consecutive shots. A moving screen by Boswell and an errant pass from Rodgers further compounded the team’s woes.
Despite Ivisic’s defensive prowess, which included disrupting a lob attempt and contesting shots effectively, the Illini’s defensive lapses persisted. White’s foul on Ole Miss senior guard Matthew Murrell during a three-point attempt exemplified the team’s struggles on that end of the floor.
A Glimmer of Hope
With just over 11 minutes remaining in the first half, Ivisic finally broke the Illini’s scoring drought with a powerful dunk following a drop-off pass from Boswell. This was quickly followed by an aggressive layup from Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn and a corner three-pointer on the fast break, momentarily igniting the Illini offense. However, Ole Miss maintained a commanding lead, 38-19, as Illinois continued to falter under pressure.
The Illini’s lack of movement on offense was evident, as they often appeared stagnant, allowing Ole Miss to dictate the pace of the game. White’s brief injury scare, where he limped off the court, added to the tension, but he returned shortly after.
A Late Surge Before Halftime
As the first half wound down, Boswell hit an open three-pointer, sparking a much-needed 7-0 run for Illinois. Gibbs-Lawhorn’s hustle play, which included a putback and a steal leading to a dunk, showcased the team’s potential. Ivisic then found Jakucionis for a three-pointer, closing the half with Ole Miss leading 51-35.
Second Half: A Mixed Bag
The second half began with Boswell scoring on the first play, but turnovers continued to plague the Illini. Jakucionis’s back-to-back turnovers highlighted the team’s ongoing struggles to maintain possession. Despite several good looks from beyond the arc, Illinois’s shooting woes persisted until Gibbs-Lawhorn finally connected on a three-pointer at the 15-minute mark.
As the game progressed, the Illini began to find their shooting touch, hitting three consecutive three-pointers, with Riley contributing back-to-back shots. The momentum seemed to shift slightly, but Ole Miss remained in control.
Highlight Plays and Final Minutes
With less than seven minutes remaining, Jakucionis and freshman forward Morez Johnson Jr. executed a beautiful play that culminated in a thunderous dunk by Johnson. This moment, along with Johnson’s subsequent dunk, brought some excitement to the Illini fans in attendance.
In the final minutes, Ivisic showcased his range by hitting two three-pointers, and White also contributed with a long-range shot. However, it was too little, too late for Illinois, as Ole Miss secured a convincing 91-74 victory.
Key Takeaways
Gibbs-Lawhorn led the Illini with 15 points, while Ivisic and Jakucionis each added 12. The glaring statistic that haunted Illinois was their 22 turnovers, a stark contrast to Ole Miss’s nine. Despite being touted as a strong shooting team, the Illini struggled from beyond the arc, finishing with a mere 30% shooting percentage compared to Ole Miss’s impressive 52%.
As the Illini prepare for their first regular-season game against Eastern Illinois on November 4, Underwood will undoubtedly focus on improving offensive flow and ball security. The road ahead may be challenging, but the potential for growth remains as the team seeks to find its identity in the coming weeks.