You guys, it occurred.

Illinois soccer and Illinois basketball had nice days concurrently on Saturday. Be nonetheless, my coronary heart (insert coronary heart eyes emoji).

We’ll get to the specifics of Bret Bielema lastly getting the opposite shoe to drop with the nationally televised dedication of 4-star prep wideout Malik Elzy (Chicago Simeon). Be affected person. This column is largely excellent news.

All-time low is a spot no individual — or nobody workforce — desires to be. The outdated adage of “if you hit all-time low, the one manner is up” was life imitating artwork at State Farm Middle on Saturday.

Little Brother Northwestern laid a beating on Illinois earlier within the week to snap an eight-game shedding streak to the Illini on the hardwood. Just a few days later, uber-talented freshman level guard Skyy Clark left the workforce, at the very least quickly. One other blow to the already shattered confidence of Illini Nation.

As followers piled in to a offered out SFC to greet the visiting No. 14 Wisconsin Badgers, the strain was so thick that you simply minimize have sliced it with a Victorinox. The loyal followers have waited for what looks like an eternity for a breakout efficiency and a few professional, hard-nosed combat.

Is it a fowl? Is it a aircraft? No, its not Superman. It’s…decidedly decisive Coleman Hawkins and TSJ to the rescue!

Head coach Brad Underwood has carried out all the things nearly all the things to get them to combat, play exhausting and compete. We received the trifecta…lastly.

Underwood promised to be “extra stoic” in the latest contest after seeing his workforce show a few of these traits throughout observe this week. He appeared to make good on his promise.

In fact, you look higher when the ball goes within the hoop. This efficiency by the Illini was greater than that. It wasn’t solely about making photographs. It was about ball motion, individuals motion and getting after it on the defensive finish. These three issues are the staples for BU since he started teaching practically 4 many years in the past.

Wisconsin was solely 8-of-29 from three and Chucky Hepburn made two of them from the hash mark. Significantly better effort in that space. It’s not stunning the result was higher.

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TCR // Jack Jungmann

With Clark’s premature departure doubtlessly fueling the “Actual Housewives of Champaign” fireplace propagated by media shops like The Discipline of 68 (which is lamentingly true), Saturday’s sport towards a predictably over-achieving Wisconsin squad appeared like a recent load of aged lumber.

As an alternative, Underwood’s squad did the other. They introduced their very own fireplace.

Freshman PG Jayden Epps used the additional burn to ignite prompt offense off the bench, snuffing out any probability of defeat.

Epps had 15 factors, three rebounds and two assists to be the fourth Illini in double figures on the day, with wing Matthew Mayer chipping in 10 factors and 6 boards of his personal. Epps wasn’t bullet proof, nevertheless. He had a number of horrible turnovers towards the press within the second half. However right here is the purpose.

He’s a freshman. He must expertise sport reps at sport pace. Errors in a win are PRICELESS. Underwood can’t afford to provide these freshman the dearth of enjoying time he gave RJ Melendez and Luke Goode final yr.

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TCR // Jack Jungmann

That is the type of offensive steadiness that Underwood dreamt of in his sleep since his workforce was escorted out of the tourney by bully Houston final spring.

You may’t area the ground if the protection doesn’t should unfold out. It’s not about spacing of the offense, it’s spreading out the protection.

As soon as Goode returns, and IF Melendez can discover his capturing stroke, the dedication to excellence on the court docket will do nothing however strengthen.

The Illini shot 52.6% from three, with 10 makes on 19 makes an attempt. Additionally they fared properly from the road (19-of-26 for 73.1%). The workforce solely shot a pair of free throws within the first half. The Illini haven’t made a free throw within the first half of back-to-back video games. This can’t be a distant chance if success is to be prolonged past one sport.

Underwood wasn’t the one Illini coach to get huge dedication on the college.

Here’s what it seemed like, not solely on ESPN, but in addition on the jumbotron at State Farm Middle within the second half. Enormous pop from the group on this one:

Apart from filling apparent want at this place for 2023, Elzy represents an excellent win on the path towards some high-major applications. It’s been a very long time coming for Bielema, who has regularly been a bridesmaid, however hasn’t placed on the white gown for a high prospect since coming to Champaign.

Incoming switch QB Luke Altmeyer shall be besties with Elzy by the tip of spring observe.

There may be gentle on the finish of the tunnel. And, it’s not a freight practice popping out manner.

That is Illinois basketball. That is Illinois soccer.