Three-point struggles spoil Illinois’ afternoon at MSG

​​NEW YORK — Under the bright lights at Madison Square Garden, Illinois couldn’t buy a basket.

After going cold from deep and letting a late comeback slip away, No. 13 Illinois fell 74-61 to No. 5 UConn at Madison Square Garden in New York Friday afternoon despite another standout performance from senior guard Kylan Boswell. The defeat marks Illinois’ second straight ranked defeat and fifth straight ranked defeat at a neutral site following the loss to Alabama in Chicago at the United Center.

The stage was set for redemption after UConn’s Elite Eight blowout victory against Illinois in 2024, but the Huskies had other plans: grabbing the lead early and never giving it up. Despite 25 points and nine rebounds from Kylan Boswell, Illinois shot just 20.7 percent from three-point range and trailed the entire game. The Ivišić twins showed up, with Zvonimir’s five blocks and Tomislav’s late double-double after a slow start, but UConn’s depth and cohesion shut the door on a comeback in the dying minutes.

After finishing with 15 first-half points, the Illini held Huskies guard Solo Ball scoreless in the second half and were able to make a dent in the lead. But with two minutes left, guard Malachi Smith’s and-one three following a mistaken shot-clock reset stretched UConn’s lead back to double digits and crushed all hope for the Illini faithful.

After starting 4-for-7 from deep, Illinois almost went as ice-cold as they did in the Elite Eight loss to UConn, missing 13 straight threes during the end of the first half and start of the second. Every Illinois push was answered by UConn’s bench, outscoring the Illini bench 31-11.

On the other hand, after shooting 52.9% from the line against Alabama, Illinois’ free-throw struggles vanished, shooting 94.4% from the line today. But everything else disappeared. UConn utilized its pace and physicality, exposing a young roster still learning to adjust to the brightest of lights.

Stat Stuffers

• Freshman David Mirkovic made some “freshman mistakes” with 6 first-half turnovers. Mirkovic shot 3-of-10 from the field.

• Boswell, the Big Ten’s only player averaging at least 16 points, four rebounds and four assists, again kept Illinois alive with 25 points, nine rebounds and three assists on 8-of-16 shooting.

• Sophomore transfer Andrej Stojakovic (3 points, 1-of-7 FG) struggled.

• Keaton Wagler stayed quiet after falling into early foul trouble.

• Tomislav Ivišić closed out the game strong with 11 points and 10 boards after looking winded early as he inches closer to 100% following a knee injury.

• His twin brother Zvonimir added five blocks, maintaining his Big Ten lead with 23 on the season, but missed all five of his three-pointers.

• Ben Humrichous’ shooting struggles continue, with a 26% 3-point percentage since the opener versus Jackson State where he finished with 21 points.

Moments that Mattered

Looking Ahead

Illinois now turns its attention to No. 17 Tennessee in Nashville on Dec. 6, before opening Big Ten play Dec. 9 at Ohio State.