Column: No. 5 Illinois proved again it can win without injured star Ayo Dosunmu despite almost blowing a late double-digit lead against No. 23 Wisconsin. It’s a lesson that can pay off in March.

“I hope it means we’re arriving,” Underwood said, giving a nod to his coaching staff and players. “You can have a lot of good players, but if you don’t have the right culture, you’re not going to win. It’s a man down and you have to step up. Ayo is the best player in college basketball. I believe that. For us to step up, that’s a great feeling.”