Illinois plays through a demanding stretch with a virus hindering multiple players

MADISON, Wis.

Illinois wasnt showing any hard feelings toward its opponent when it declined to participate in a postgame handshake.

As several players deal with a virus, the Fighting Illini just wanted to make sure they didnt spread germs while congratulating Wisconsin after losing 95-74 to the 11th-ranked Badgers.

They dont need this, Illinois coach Brad Underwood said after the game.

In 38 years (as a head coach and assistant), Ive never seen anything like whats gone through our team.

Illinois (17-10, 9-8) remains in good position to earn a fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament bid.

The Illini are a projected No.

6 seed, according to Bracket Matrix.

Were going to survive, Underwood said.

Were going to be fine.

Were a really good basketball team.

Weve proved that.

But the Illini are dealing with all sorts of setbacks on and off the court as they face the most demanding part of their schedule.

Freshman forward Morez Johnson Jr.

broke his wrist while blocking a shot in a 79-65 loss to No.

14 Michigan State, but most of the Illinis roster issues are due to illness rather than injury.

Tomislav Ivisic, the Illinis leading rebounder and second-leading scorer, came off the bench for the first time all season as he tried to play while sick.

Underwood said Ivisic didnt travel with the team, instead driving to Wisconsin on his own.

Ivisic finished with seven points and three rebounds in 21 minutes.

He already dealt with mononucleosis and an ankle injury earlier this year, severely limiting his practice time.

Underwood said reserve forward Jake Davis wanted to play but got sick after pregame warmups.

We dont know who we have from day to day, Underwood said.

I didnt know who I was starting today.

Illinois leading scorer was Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn, who was sick earlier this month.

After going scoreless and playing a total of 14 minutes in the three games leading up to this one, Gibbs-Lawhorn had 17 points and five assists against Wisconsin.

Right now were going through a stretch thats difficult, said forward Ben Humrichous, who scored 13 points.

But were a good basketball team, and we know it.

The stretch isnt getting any easier.

Illinois takes a break from Big Ten competition and heads to New York to face No.

3 Duke at Madison Square Garden.

Its David playing Goliath in the next one, Underwood said.

Were going to show up and were going to fight..

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