ILLINI BASKETBALL
Illini Cage the Panthers

By Jeff Mayfield

[November 08, 2022] 

The Illinois Fighting Illini showed all kinds of glimpses of what they might be able to be at some point this season by coasting to an 87-57 caging of the Eastern Illinois Panthers. EIU features former Illini and former Lincoln High School center Jermaine Hamlin! The LDN was not able to speak with Hamlin after the contest due to the late tip time [are we really going to have a plethora of 8 and 8:30 tip-off times? So much for being family friendly, right?]

The Illini led by 15 at halftime and kept extending the lead throughout the second half. Decent shooting, solid rebounding, and stingy defense led to a fairly satisfying outcome. Illinois had a healthy advantage on the boards winning the rebound battle, 53-30.

Our 3 stars of the game [unanimous voting from Greg Taylor, yours truly, and my son]:

#1 Coleman Hawkins

All he did was to come out and put on a shooting demonstration clinic and almost single handedly ran EIU out of the building by making the first five 3-pointers he attempted…and 3 of them were from very long range! I hope it was his way of making a statement. He finished the night with a double double of a career high 23 points to go along with a career tying 12 rebound night-not bad for an opening curtain call.

#2 Terrence Shannon, Jr.

Shannon won my ubiquitous award for literally being everywhere on the night…and yes I thought I spotted him at Panera Bread, in the parking lot, and at the concession stand! But that’s how active he was. He finished the contest by tying his career high with 24 points. He also hauled down 8 big caroms. I like a guy who comes in with a lot of hype but delivers during crunch time! He also was 13 of 15 from the foul line-won’t we enjoy seeing a lot of made free throws by this electric wing? Can I get a witness? IF you can’t shout it I sure can and love when we have elite players like this guy! Welcome to Illinois, Shannon…I for one am glad you’re here!

#3 Dain Dainja

I really had never read enough nor had I asked enough of the right questions to our coaches to really know what we had in Dain. But IF tonight was any indication, he will be a solid piece of the puzzle when we go up against opposing beasts in the paint. In his first official game wearing an Illinois uniform-all he did was score a double double with a career high 17 points on 8 of 9 shooting and he hauled down 10 rebounds! More of that please! What a great opening night performance leading to a caging of the Panthers.

This and that from the balcony view [things we liked, didn’t like or are concerned about]
 

We loved freshman Sencire Harris who finished with 9 points…but what we really loved was his speed, his tenacity, and his quality hustle plays. He always seemed to be in the right place.

I’m sure he’ll be fine but R.J. Melendez, one of our favorite players, registered only 1 point on the night.

It was hard for me to watch without seeing Luke Goode on the floor. Luke broke his foot in the scrimmage against Kansas and will be re-evaluated in 6-weeks. But I was so looking forward to him bombing away maybe filling Alfonso Plummer’s role from a year ago! He hit some big shots for this team last season and I thought he was an unsung hero.

Matthew Mayer had 7 points and 4 rebounds in his quality Illini debut. Glad to have him aboard!

Next up for the Illini is unfurling last year’s Big Ten Championship banner versus Kansas City Friday night at State Farm Center at 8pm.

[By JEFF MAYFIELD]

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