Thank goodness for that late push as we cut the lead in half in the final minutes.
Only 25 pts on O, but it's not CMC's O that's the main culprit to the same extent that it's UCLA pulling off their shots (jerking as opposed to following thru).
Illini's diaper dandies have simply has better footspeed on the O end, which makes our TO edge (9 vs our only 4) absolutely even more critical. OTOH, as expected, they are prevailing on the boards (21-14) which we have to improve upon. The encouraging thing is, our lead in TOs vs their lead in rebounds has equilibrated to 28 FGAs for both teams.
DA continues, as our key lead guard, to be detached from the game on both ends. Leg cramps or a confidence cramp?
Mack is keeping us in the game, as his *confidence* is never shook. That said, we likely can't count on him in the 2H as he rarely puts together two stellar halves as is true for most college hoopers.
We've suffered on the road and will need to apply a lot of pressure on their young rotation to pull this one out......but at least we're in the convo.
GO BRUINS!