Illini Dismantle the Boilers, 63-37
Hamlin plays both halves - continues to improve his game
By Jeff Mayfield

[January 06, 2020]  The Illinois Fighting Illini came out like a house of fire Sunday night and came away with a convincing 63-37 drubbing of the Purdue Boilermakers. The Illini started the game on an 11-0 run, led 32-19 at the half, and basically played like their lives depended on it. And they do. That is if you want what we want and that is to somehow make it back to the NCAA tournament this season. IF Illinois can start bringing consistent 40-minute efforts like they put together last night then there is hope.

Good starts at home have been hard to come by, but Illinois looked ready to play from the opening tip in this one. But give some big props to super-sub, super 6th man, Alan Griffin. Identified by the LDN’s own Greg Taylor earlier this season when he accurately predicted that Illinois’ rise might likely go through Griffin. Mr. Taylor couldn’t have been more right!

All Griffin did was score 16 points, haul down 12 rebounds for the first double double of his career, and nail 2 big 3-pointers. But IF you only look at the stats sheet you miss the beauty of Griffin’s game. The kid is a ball of hustle. He puts the fight in Fighting Illini. He has an intense, relentless motor. And if I was asked what player on the Illini should the kids emulate? I would have to point to Alan Griffin. His aggressive, tenacious play has been infectious to his teammates. And I’ll make a prediction of my own. IF the majority of Griffin’s teammates continue to bring that kind of energy and effort the rest of the way we could have a lot of fun the rest of the season in Chambana.

One of the best places to see what that high level aggression does to dictate positive outcomes is on the defensive end of the floor. The Illini smashed through screens, didn’t get pushed off the block or the arc, and crashed the boards relentlessly [leading to a 46-34 rebounding advantage] Sunday night.

The body language of the Boilers was telling, “ Oh no, here come the Illini again.” And what did it lead to? We’re so glad you asked. It led to one of the lowest opponent scoring outputs in Assembly Hall/State Farm Center history. In fact, Purdue’s 25% shooting accuracy for the night was the worst for the Boilers…ever! For teams that have been playing the sport for over 100 years that’s saying something.

Kofi Cockburn and Trent Frazier also continued the aggression on the offensive end of the floor. The Illini did well to improve in post entries to Cockburn that made Purdue’s defense collapse and created more good looks for Illinois. And when the Illini had inside-out action it gave some space for Frazier. All of that resulted in Cockburn and Frazier adding 12 points a piece to the drubbing. The Boilers did not have a player in double figures.

Lincoln’s Jermaine Hamlin saw action in both halves and continues to show that he belongs on the court. Though his stat line for the night only showed 1 blocked shot his rapid improvement could well be a factor for the Illini before this season is over.

[By JEFF MAYFIELD]

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