Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball took on Illinois in a Big Ten clash at the State Farm Center on Tuesday. Here's how it went.

Three thoughts from Iowa basketball's ugly 81-61 loss vs. Illinois on Tuesday night, putting the Hawkeyes in danger of missing the Big Ten Tournament.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Iowa basketball guard Drew Thelwell is listed as questionable for Tuesday's matchup with Illinois, according to the Big Ten availability report. It has been a turbulent ride since Thelwell injured his ankle against Wisconsin on Feb. 8.

Illinois (18-11, 10-8 Big Ten) got right against Iowa in blowout fashion, toppling the Hawkeyes, 81-61. The Illini snapped a three-game losing streak in the process and delivered some of what they had been experiencing of late upon the Hawkeyes.

Illinois may well still be reeling from Saturday’s embarrassment at MSG. The Fighting Illini lost to Duke 110-67. It was worse than the score suggests. It was Ilinois’ third straight loss and dropped them into a tie for seventh in the Big Ten. A loss tonight could target them for a ninth or even a tenth-place finish in the conference.

Turning the page on the defensive end and taking care of the ball offensively pushed the Illini over the Hawkeyes

Scott Richey covers college basketball for The News-Gazette. His email is [email protected], and you can follow him on Twitter ( @srrichey ).

Illinois men’s basketball got a much needed win on Tuesday. The Illini beat Iowa 81-61, led by Tomislav Ivisic with 22 points. Kylan Boswell and Will Riley each scored 15. The victory snaps a three-game losing streak for Brad Underwood’s team.

Illinois returns to Champaign seeking to find its footing as the regular season winds down. In a similar downturn, Iowa has lost five of its last seven, but it did get back in the win column in ...

Scott Richey covers college basketball for The News-Gazette. His email is [email protected], and you can follow him on Twitter ( @srrichey ).

Iowa faces the Illinois Fighting Illini after Payton Sandfort scored 27 points in the Hawkeyes’ 85-79 win over the Washington Huskies