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

An Illinois police detective was shot and killed by a violent career criminal on Friday — marking the first on-duty death the quiet village of Oak Park has recorded in 86 years.

Oak Park Police Detective Allan Reddins, 40, responded to a call with other officers of an armed man leaving a bank that ended in a deadly confrontation when the suspect drew his gun and opened fire.

Reddins, who joined the department in 2019, died after he was shot on the left side of his body, according to the Oak Park Police Department.

The suspect, identified as Jerell Thomas, 37, was arrested Saturday and charged with first-degree murder and other related charges connected to the line-of-duty slaying, police said.

Reddins was the first Oak Park officer killed in the line of duty since 1938. 

“Our police department, we’re hurting right now,” Police Chief Shatonya Johnson said at a news conference Friday.

“I’m hurting. His family is hurting. Please keep us in your prayers.”

Reddins and other officers initially responded to the 1000 block of Lake Street around 9 a.m. and spotted the gunman leaving a Chase Bank, police said.

Officers approached Thomas and ordered him to show them his hands before he fired off shots, striking Reddins.x

The alleged perp was also shot in the leg when officers returned fire, police said. 

Reddins was taken to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood where he was pronounced dead at 10:10 a.m. 

The accused cop killer was taken to the same hospital, where he’s receiving treatment and remains in custody, police said. He is currently in stable condition.

Police referred to Thomas as a “habitual criminal” with a long history of arrests that include aggravated battery to a police officer, domestic battery, battery and resisting a police officer. 

Dozens of police and fire firefighters throughout the Chicago area held a police procession along Interstate 290 Saturday afternoon as Reddins’ body was transported from the hospital to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office.

The public safety personnel stood at attention and saluted the ambulance as the fallen cop’s body was carried inside, according to moving photos posted by the police department.  

“Thank you for the outpouring of condolences for Detective Allan Reddins and support for the Oak Park Police Department during this difficult time,” the department posted on Facebook.

“Plans for a public memorial are being discussed and will be shared when details become available.”

Thomas is also charged with attempted murder of a peace officer, possession of a stolen firearm and unlawful use of a weapon by a felon.

A court date has yet to be determined due to his hospitalization.

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