Nov. 14--Illinois season started with a thud.
Without some key players, the Illini lost to North Florida 93-81 Friday night at the Prairie Capital Convention Center. It was the first loss in a season-opening game for the Illini in 17 seasons, dating back to the 1999-2000 season.
The 93 points were the second most given up since coach John Groce became coach, only behind a 95-point effort by then-No. 4 Wisconsin in 2014.
Illinois never led and trailed by as many as 23 points to the Ospreys, which connected on 17 of 33 three-pointers.
The Illini hit only 5 of 16 three-pointers.
Mike Thorne, Jr., led the way for Illinois with 25 points and 14 rebounds.
Guard Jaylon Tate left the game with 4:19 left in the first half, appearing to injure his arm.
Another body on the bench is the last thing the Illini needed.
Forward Leron Black, who is overcoming a preseason knee injury, was considered a possibility for Friday's game but he remained on the bench. The Illini are also without Tracy Abrams (Achilles, out for season) and Kendrick Nunn (thumb).
The Illini are playing their first four home games in Springfield while State Farm Center renovation wraps up. They play their first game in Champaign on Dec. 2 against Notre Dame.
North Florida isn't a slouch.
The Ospreys have four starters back from a team that won 23 games, earned an NCAA tournament berth and beat Purdue last season.
They were led by Dallas Moore's 26 points with another 25 points coming from Beau Beech.
