CHAMPAIGN – Illinois ran out of the gate to start this season, a hot-shooting surprise that opened 12-0 just months after imploding in a way that made observers wonder whether the Illini might carry the effects for some time.

They were in those opening weeks one of the best shooting teams in the country. Just about everybody, it seemed, could hit a jump shot.

Since then, though, Illinois’ shooting has been a miss as often as it’s been a hit. In their past four games, the Illini have hit just less than a third of their shots, and lost three of four.