A Week Off Gives Illinois Fighting Illini Time To Decompress Before Facing Colgate

After the loss to Tennessee, the Illinois Fighting Illini had time to prepare for Colgate and get ready for Big Ten play

The Illinois Fighting Illini had a full week to get over the sting of their last loss to Tennessee. 

The break came at the ideal time because it allowed them to regroup while also handle this difficult stretch of the season. In addition to their basketball duties, the players were also wrapped up in their academic duties. 

"We're coming off a very busy week last week with three games on the road," Illini coach Brad Underwood said. "It's nice to settle in, let our guys settle in with no games during a very challenging time with finals. It's always a little bit of chaos from the standpoint of scheduling, moving practice around, guys have to leave early ... It was nice to be here." 

The Illini are now prepping to face Colgate Sunday at State Farm Center. They only have one more non-conference game (Farleigh Dickinson Dec. 29) before turning their full attention to Big Ten play. 

Colgate should serve as a perfect tune-up opponent because of their size and style of play. Last year the Raiders made the NCAA Tournament. They have been battled-tested this season, already facing the Arizona Wildcats. They are coming off a 77-71 victory against Vermont. 

"Now, we get Colgate, whose exceptional," Underwood said. "They're very, very big. They're an NCAA Tournament team. They're extremely well-coached. They're different. This will be a Big Ten prep type of team in terms of physicality." 

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Shandel Richardson is the publisher for Illini Now. He can be reached at shandelrich@gmail.com.