NCAA BK

It's back-to-back setbacks for Illini

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Updated Nov 30, 2009 4:30 PM ET
     
 
Some people lose the rent money when they visit the gambling capital of the world. No. 20 Illinois may have lost something much more important than that. Its mojo. The soon-to-be-unranked Illini fell to Bradley 72-68 on Saturday. It was their second setback in two days to teams they figured to beat. And it called into question a lot of assumptions about whether the Illini (4-2) have what it takes to build on last season's one-and-done NCAA tournament appearance. Defense, shooting, maturity, determination. All are in play as explanations for what ails Illinois. ''We knew this was going to be a big stretch,'' said coach Bruce Weber, who takes the Illini to Clemson on Wednesday. ''I didn't think we would fail this bad. But you have to respond to it. Now we'll see what we're about.'' Down 66-61 with 3:13 to play, Bradley (4-2) scored on four consecutive possessions. While the Braves were on that 9-0 run, Illinois missed its lone shot from the field and its only free throw and committed two turnovers. The win gave the Braves bragging rights over the Downstate basketball program that overshadows it for the first time in five meetings since 1974. ''It's a good feeling when you beat your big brother,'' said Andrew Warren, who led Bradley with 16 points. ''We have a lot of respect for their coaches and players, and we know some of the guys. Anytime you're in a game like that, you want to come out on top. When you do, it's a good feeling.'' Most troubling was the inconsistency of at least two of Illinois' three junior starters. Following up on a strong game in the 60-58 loss to Utah on Friday, Mike Tisdale (12 points, eight rebounds) was solid enough. But a turnover when Illinois was clinging to a 66-65 lead with 45 seconds left hurt. And Demetri McCamey and Mike Davis didn't deliver the consistency Illinois will need to be successful. Davis, who led Illinois with 17 points and eight rebounds, bounced back from a two-point, 1-for-6 effort against Utah. But McCamey, who had 19 points and seven rebounds against the Utes, had a rough game against Bradley, shooting 4-for-13 from the field for 10 points and committing five turnovers. ''They have to be there every day,'' Weber said. ''Mike Davis played tonight; he didn't play last night. Demetri played last night; he didn't play tonight. We have to have consistency of effort and leadership from them. It's disappointing, but it's a learning experience. We've found out it's not as easy as you think. We have to grow up.'' Illinois led 29-28 after a tentative first half, but Bradley opened a 47-38 lead with 13 minutes to play, making its first four three-pointers of the second half. Illinois regained the lead 56-55 with 6:23 left, but the collapse after leading 66-61 saddled the Illini with their second straight upset loss. ''It's still very early,'' Davis said. ''But we have to figure it out. We have to be resilient and fight through the tough times. I remember my freshman year, 16-19. I don't want that feeling again.''
Tagged: Utah, Mississippi Valley, Texas Tech, Bradley, St. Francis (NY), Illinois

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