Illinois had faced just one other top opponent before taking on No. 19 Arkansas on Thursday in a neutral-site matchup in Kansas City, Missouri, and it hadn’t gone especially well. A 100-87 loss to then-No. 8 Alabama had exposed some defensive issues and raised questions about whether the young Illini were ready to handle the size, speed and skill that the cream of the college basketball crop would throw at them.

Now we have our answer.

The Illini (6-1) hit the ground running against Arkansas (5-2) and didn’t break stride until crusing to a 90-77 win over the Razorbacks. The perimeter shooting finally came around for Illinois, but it was a fine all-around effort against a team that figures to push Auburn, Tennessee, Kentucky and Bama in the SEC all season. Below, we grade out Illinois’ individual performances from the Arkansas matchup, which – again – represent each player’s single-game output.

Ivisic didn’t just meet the pressure of the moment against a quality ranked opponent and a much-hyped matchup with twin brother Zvonimir – he wrangled it and rode it like he owned it. With 21 points on 6-for-9 shooting from 3-point range, 10 rebounds, three blocks and two steals, Ivisic put on one of the best all-around individual performances seen from a player in an Illini uniform in quite some time.

While sharing responsibilities running the Illini offense (six assists) and finding room to spark his own (18 points), Boswell also put on another defensive clinic, doing most of the heavy lifting in holding Razorbacks freshman guard Boogie Fland to eight points on 2-for-12 shooting. Even if Boswell’s 3-point stroke never comes around, he’ll be in the running for Illinois’ unofficial team MVP.

Jakucionis continues to show that he’s anything but the typical freshman point guard, striking a harmonious balance between creating offense for his teammates and himself (23 points and four assists) against a quality opponent in Arkansas. His handle can get too loose (six turnovers), but the occasional freshman mistakes are the cost of doing business when offensive brilliance is the payoff.

Humrichous has been Illinois’ metronome this season, spotting up and knocking down shots beyond the arc at an excellent clip (3-for-4 against the Hogs) and stretching opposing defenses to further open the throttle on the Illini offense. His other numbers tend to ebb and flow, but when he holds down his position on defense, he almost always comes up as a plus.

Despite playing less than half the game, Johnson – as usual – made his presence felt, mostly in a very good way. He finished with six points (2-for-2 from the field), four rebounds and two steals. Johnson rarely takes anything off the table, but his free-throw shooting (2-for-4 vs. Arkansas) and proclivity for fouls (three in 15 minutes) are something he’ll want to clean up over time.

Thirteen minutes isn’t a lot of time to get much of anything done, but Gibbs-Lawhorn hit 2 of 3 shots (including a three) and snagged a rebound in his short floor time against Arkansas – solid enough production for his run in this one.

White was one of the few Illini who weren’t feeling it Thursday, missing his only shot (a 3-point attempt), grabbing two rebounds and otherwise handing in a clean stat sheet in just 11 minutes. With Illinois’ depth, White’s playing time will probably often hinge on who – including him – has the hot hand in the rotation on any given day.

For the first time all season, Riley played like an overwhelmed freshman. He had just five points (on 2-for-9 shooting) and zero rebounds against Arkansas, which clearly made a point of keeping Riley from getting comfortable. As we know by now, he’ll have many much better days ahead.

Instant Analysis: Illinois Basketball Outguns No. 19 Arkansas 90-77

3 Key Numbers from Illinois Basketball’s Win Over Arkansas

Arkansas Coach John Calipari Reacts to Illinois Basketball’s Win

Wilmette Loyola Academy is back in the Illinois high school football Class 8A state championship game for the third year in a row. The Ramblers would be the first 8A team to 3-peat since Park Ridge Maine South won three straight from 2008-10.

The Ramblers have faced off against Frankfort Lincoln-Way East for the past two years, but this year they will face Elmhurst York. Loyola Academy beat Lincon-Way East in the semifinals last week, 27-24.

This will be the Dukes’ first-ever trip to the championship game. York defeated Naperville Central, 20-15, last week. Both teams are 11-2 heading into this game.

York and Loyola has recent history. The Ramblers beat the Dukes in two recent semifinal games: 30-3 in 2022 and 23-14 in 2023.

ILLINOIS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCOREBOARD

Loyola Academy is full of future Division I players. The list features DB Drew McPherson (Iowa), LB Donovan Robinson (Washington), QB Ryan Fitzgerald (Iowa), TE Brendan Loftus (Miami of Ohio), DE Tommy Ghislandi (Army) and DL Connor Sullivan (South Dakota State).

York defensive lineman Joseph Reiff is ranked the No. 11 player in the state, according to 247Sports. He’s committed to Notre Dame. QB Bruno Massel has thrown for 1,461 yards and 11 TDs with 3 interceptions and has run 132 times for 1,097 yards and 17 scores.

Follow along below for live updates from the Class 8A Illinois high school school football state championship game, which is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. CT Saturday, Nov. 30.

You can also watch Loyola Academy vs. York live on the NFHS Network (subscription required).

Updates will be placed here once the game starts; refresh and scroll down for the latest updates.

More Illinois high school football news

Illinois (IHSA) high school football playoffs: 2024 brackets, state championship matchups, game times

Dierre Hill, Oregon Ducks commit, racks up 518 yards, 7 touchdowns in state championship win

Top 25 Illinois High School Football Rankings (11/27/2024)

Best college football prospects still playing for state championships in 2024 high school playoffs

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— Cody Thorn | @sblivesports

CHILLICOTHE, Ohio (WCMH) — A 58-year-old man from Illinois died Friday evening after a crash on a Ross County roadway.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol said that Western Springs, Illinois resident Slavisa Jovanovic was driving a Mercedes west on U.S. Route 35 just after 10:15 p.m. After driving off the right side of the road, Jovanovic’s Mercedes crashed into a tree.

He was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead as a result of his injuries. The Ohio State Highway Patrol is continuing to investigate the crash.