Illinois Dominates Indiana Behind Defensive Grit, Rebounding Edge, and Boswell’s Return
Illinois didn’t just beat Indiana on Sunday-they asserted themselves. In a game that could’ve easily been a trap against a surging Hoosiers squad, the Illini showed why they’re still one of the most physically imposing and mentally tough teams in college basketball. Despite a cold shooting night, Illinois controlled the pace, the glass, and ultimately the scoreboard, cruising to a 20-point win that said more about their identity than any stat line could.
Let’s break down the key takeaways from Brad Underwood’s postgame press conference and what they reveal about where this team is-and where it might be headed.
1. Kylan Boswell’s Return Changed the Game
“(Lamar) Wilkerson is a pro. Even though he got 21, I thought we were very good.
Obviously, the insertion of Kylan Boswell had some impact on that. I thought him and Ben (Humrichous) were tremendous in that area.”
Lamar Wilkerson is the kind of scorer who can take over a game if you let him. Illinois didn’t.
And a big reason why was the return of Kylan Boswell, who made his presence felt on both ends after missing nearly a month of action. Boswell’s defensive effort on Wilkerson was relentless.
He stayed attached, fought through screens, and made every catch a chore.
Ben Humrichous deserves credit too. At 6-foot-9, he used his length and positioning to disrupt Wilkerson’s rhythm, helping hold the Indiana guard to just 28.6% from beyond the arc. That kind of defensive versatility-guards who can hound, bigs who can switch-was on full display, and it’s the kind of stuff that wins games in March.
2. Rebounding Was a Statement
“I thought one of the big keys to the game was just getting back to us on the glass. Kylan, four offensive rebounds. Tomi (Ivisic) four offensive rebounds.”
Coming off a performance where Illinois was outworked on the boards, Underwood made it clear: that wasn’t going to happen again. And his team responded.
Illinois pulled down 15 offensive rebounds, with nearly every player chipping in. That’s not just size-it’s effort.
When your guards are crashing the glass and your bigs are sealing off space, it sends a message. This team is too big and too physical to get beat on the boards.
Sunday proved that when they commit to that identity, they’re a handful.
3. Winning Ugly Still Counts-Especially When It’s by 20
“In a night we didn’t shoot the ball very well, to have a 20-point win against a team that has won five of six. Against a team that is an NCAA tournament team, that speaks volumes to our defense and intensity.”
This wasn’t a lights-out shooting performance. In fact, by several metrics, it was one of Illinois’ worst offensive outings of the season. But that’s what made the win so impressive.
They had their third-worst three-point shooting night. They got to the free throw line less than they have all season.
And they still won by 20. That doesn’t happen unless your defense is locked in and your energy is high.
It was a gritty, grind-it-out performance that showed maturity and focus-two things that matter a lot more than a hot shooting night when the pressure cranks up in March.
4. Illinois Attacked the Mismatch-and It Paid Off
“We felt like they would have decision to make which was to switch us and/or play us in coverage. They switched, which put Mirk (David Mirkovic) or Tomi with a guard…we felt like we could have some success downhill, driving it to the rim.”
When Indiana switched on defense, Illinois didn’t settle. They attacked. Whether it was David Mirkovic or Tomi Ivisic getting matched up with smaller defenders, the Illini recognized the mismatch and went downhill.
That’s the kind of tactical execution that separates good teams from great ones. Illinois didn’t force threes or play into Indiana’s hands.
They took what the defense gave them and punished it inside. It’s the kind of smart, aggressive basketball that Underwood has been preaching all season-and on Sunday, it was executed to perfection.
5. The Focus Wasn’t on Indiana-It Was on Illinois
“Two days off, and two days of practice, we didn’t cover Indiana one second. We usually do some two-day prep stuff, and we didn’t cover them one second.
It was about us. We had slipped a lot.
Block out rates and offensive rebounding rates. Mistakes in coverage.
It was all about us.”
This might be the most telling quote of the night.
Coming off a stretch where Illinois had lost some of its edge, Underwood didn’t spend the week game-planning for Indiana. He spent it refocusing his team on the fundamentals-rebounding, defensive rotations, effort plays. That internal reset showed up in every loose ball, every box out, every second-chance opportunity.
Sometimes, it’s not about the opponent. It’s about getting back to who you are. And on Sunday, Illinois looked like a team that had found itself again.
Final Thoughts
This win wasn’t about flashy offense or highlight-reel plays. It was about toughness, discipline, and doing the dirty work.
Kylan Boswell’s return brought a jolt of energy. The rebounding effort was collective and relentless.
And the defensive intensity made life miserable for a capable Indiana team.
If Illinois can bottle this version of themselves-the one that plays to its size, locks in defensively, and punishes mismatches-they’re going to be a serious problem down the stretch. This wasn’t just a win. It was a reminder of what this team is capable of when it leans into its identity.