Illini continue to unravel
CHAMPAIGN -- Sophomore center Brian Carlwell left the team for good early in the day.
Senior forward Brian Randle left the court, potentially for good, early in the game with a sprained right shoulder.
The life of Illinois' non-Brians didn't turn out much better Wednesday night.
Taking advantage of a vast array of Illini turnovers, not to mention some signs of bickering and discontent, No. 11 Wisconsin pulled even with Purdue for first place in the Big Ten race with a 71-57 victory before an announced sellout at Assembly Hall.
Illinois (11-16, 3-11) never got closer than 9 points in the second half to ensure its first losing regular season since 1999.
"There's no doubt," Illinois coach Bruce Weber said. "There was some frustration."
"If you look, we had 20 turnovers (and) 6 assists," Illinois guard Trent Meacham said. "That's not going to get it done against anyone, especially Wisconsin. They're so solid and play so well together. They don't make mistakes and they make you make mistakes."
Sophomore point guard Trevon Hughes paced the Badgers (22-4, 12-2) with 18 points as he led decisive runs in each half.
Hughes hit at least 3 circus shots that came with a high degree of difficulty, but he made them all look easy.
"He's one of those New York little quick guys, those little jets," Illinois guard Demetri McCamey said. "He plays with the ball, he can shoot, get to the basket, pass. He's just a complete player. New York City guys, they've always got those tough guards."
McCamey did a decent job representing Chicago once he extricated himself from a doghouse of his own making.
McCamey didn't start against the Badgers -- and Weber had to spend time on the phone with the freshman guard's mother Wednesday morning -- because he "didn't take care of business" over the weekend.
McCamey didn't score in the first half and was yanked for not pursuing defense or long rebounds with much urgency. When Weber sent him back in the game with 19 minutes to go, it was with this loud caveat: "You better get something done. If you talk back, you won't play the rest of the time."
McCamey proceeded to drive through Wisconsin's defense again and again for baskets, but it wasn't nearly enough.
Senior center Shaun Pruitt contributed 16 points and junior guard Chester Frazier added a career-high 13 rebounds, but the continual turnovers and Wisconsin's own efficiency ruled the night.
The Illini have four regular-season games to go and their No. 3 scorer and No. 2 rebounder probably won't be a part of them.
Randle's right arm hung painfully low after banging into a screen set by Wisconsin's 6-foot-11, 260-pound Greg Stiemsma.
"My heart goes out to Brian Randle," Weber said. "It could be questionable for the rest of the season, to be honest. He's a great kid that truly cares and this'll be his fourth or fifth major injury."