Nov. 15--CHAMPAIGN -- The Illinois student section encouraged the crowd at State Farm Center to wait silently until the Illini had scored their 10th point to erupt in cheers.
It took 5 minutes, 50 seconds.
And there was little to cheer as they left the arena Friday night after watching the Illini's 80-71, season-opening victory over Georgia Southern, which prompted more concern than celebration.
"They just about outplayed us in almost every single area," Illini coach John Groce said.
Groce asserted that some of the players were not mentally focused on the season opener. The game was a much-needed reminder.
"Some guys were rocking and rolling in a couple of scrimmages and exhibition games," Groce said. "If you read your press clippings, you might start to absorb too much of that. Then all of a sudden you're not as dialed-in as you need to be. Some guys got humbled. That's good for them."
Illinois led only 68-64 with less than three minutes remaining, but an Aaron Cosby 3-pointer with 1:55 left put the Illini up 73-66 and sealed the escape.
In a flashback to last season, Rayvonte Rice tugged the Illini to victory with 24 points, aggressively finding his way into the paint. He hit 8 of 12 shots and added six rebounds.
"Rice was an absolute monster in practice the last two days, and that's how he played," Groce said.
There was plenty for the Illini to discuss afterward before moving on to Game 2 of the season at home on Sunday against Coppin State.
The Illini were expected to add another level of offense this season after shooting poorly last season. Their defense was expected to be the trademark again after they ranked 11th nationally in 2013-14.
But the Illini were especially woeful on the boards.
They allowed the Eagles -- who don't have a player taller than 6-feet-8 on their roster -- to beat them 41-34 in rebounding, including 16-9 on the offensive boards.
Center Nnanna Egwu, who picked up two early fouls, didn't grab his first rebound until 6:41 remained in the game. And he finished with just that one.
"I thought they just outhustled us" in the first half, Groce said.
The Illini's defensive breakdowns were obvious as Georgia Southern forward Trent Wiedeman scored 17 points and guard Jelani Hewitt scored 22, hitting 5 of 14 3-pointers.
Illinois sophomore Malcolm Hill scored 11 points on 2-of-6 shooting. Ahmad Starks also struggled early, hitting only 2 of 11 field goals for 11 points. Egwu added just five points.
Cosby warmed up in the second half with two early 3-pointers and finished with 16 points.
The Eagles led by three points in the first half, and the Illini could not shake them until the final minutes. That's not much of an incentive to cheer.
Groce added that freshman Michael Finke will redshirt this season. He said he recently made the decision, but noted the move had little to do with Finke's abilities or potential.
"I look at it through what's best for Illinois and at the same time what's best for the young man," he said.
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