Illinois entered Sunday's game against Wisconsin knowing it needed to make something happen to improve its chances at the NCAA tournament.
The Illini, who have four Top 50 wins and sit just 5-11 vs. the RPI Top 100, looked flat against the Badgers as they fell behind big in the second half of their 72-57 home loss.
With a shot at the Big Dance on the line, you'd think the last thing a coach would need to worry about was his team's energy level.
Yet throughout the game, Wisconsin beat Illinois to loose balls, fought for offensive rebounds and it really looked as if the Badgers were the team playing with their season on the line.
Coach Bruce Weber said in a situation like the Illini find themselves in, it shouldn't be difficult to get up for a game.
"You shouldn't have to ask them to have energy," Weber said. "That's probably one of the problems, I think. To be honest, that's got to come [from] within. It's the little extra hustle plays, it's jumping after the ball, going after the long rebound."
The Illini, who have four Top 50 wins and sit just 5-11 vs. the RPI Top 100, looked flat against the Badgers as they fell behind big in the second half of their 72-57 home loss.
With a shot at the Big Dance on the line, you'd think the last thing a coach would need to worry about was his team's energy level.
Yet throughout the game, Wisconsin beat Illinois to loose balls, fought for offensive rebounds and it really looked as if the Badgers were the team playing with their season on the line.
Coach Bruce Weber said in a situation like the Illini find themselves in, it shouldn't be difficult to get up for a game.
"You shouldn't have to ask them to have energy," Weber said. "That's probably one of the problems, I think. To be honest, that's got to come [from] within. It's the little extra hustle plays, it's jumping after the ball, going after the long rebound."
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