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Brad Underwood shares frustrations on loss to Ohio State, emotionless stretch for Illini

Kristian Dyer

By Kristian Dyer

Published:

Brad Underwood wasn’t happy, not at all following his team’s 87-81 home loss to Ohio State on Saturday afternoon.

The win by No. 21 Ohio State lifts the Buckeyes to 11-3 on the year and 5-3 in the Big Ten. As for No. 14 Illinois, a preseason favorite to win the conference, they are now 9-5 and 5-3 in the conference.

Illinois allowed Ohio State to shoot 53.7 percent from the floor and a jaw-dropping 52.4 percent from three-point range. It is now consecutive losses for Illinois, both coming at home.

Illinois will have the chance to bounce back midweek with a home game against Penn State, who are 3-4 on the year and 0-3 in the Big Ten.  They then will play at 8-4 Michigan State on the weekend, another program that has underwhelmed this season.

Despite being down 77-67 with 2:30 left in the game, Illinois fought back to make things close and should have had a chance to win the game. Down 83-81 with 15 seconds left in the game, they should have caught a break when Ohio State guard Duane Washington Jr. appeared to step out of bounds upon receiving an inbound pass.

The ball should have gone to Illinois with a chance to tie or even win the game. Instead, the officials did not call the infraction and Ohio State would cement the game moments later.

Here is what Underwood had to say in his postgame press conference:

Kristian Dyer