Illini Joust-down the Scarlet Knights, 69-60

By Jeff Mayfield

[April 04, 2023] 

The Illinois Fighting Illini stifled and out-jousted Rutgers Saturday afternoon, 69-60. The Illini finally attacked the boards after getting badly out-rebounded in the first ten minutes of the contest and put the clamps on the Scarlet Knights by using a 19-0 surge to inflict their major damage. It was Illinois’ fourth victory over a top 25 ranked team this campaign and are now 15-8 versus such opponents including wins in their last three straight!

The Illini got back on track with a better shooting day [at least in the 2nd half]-that this reporter has been clamoring for for the last three weeks. Illinois also ended up claiming the rebounding battle 40-35 after starting the game down 4-15, in what many onlookers thought would be the difference in the game. Somehow after an 0-3 start to the season the Illini are tied for 2nd place in the Big Ten Conference standings.

The Illini are now 7-0 coming off a loss and have never lost to Rutgers in the State Farm Center [7-0, and 11-4 all-time in all venues].

3 Stars

#1
Coleman Hawkins

Today was a day where we thought Coleman played the way he needs to play for the Illini to have a chance. He must thwart whoever he’s guarding on defense-he must crash the boards relentlessly, he must shoot and convert shots when he is open, and he must attack the rim ferociously. We thought he did that today and the stats seem to bear that out. Hawkins finished the day with 18 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block. We’re still a little concerned over CH’s turnovers but they are more easily overlooked when he turns in such a complete performance like this one! Nice going Coleman!

#2
Dain Dainja

We don’t know what else you can say about Dainja-déjà vu. He keeps bringing a high- level contribution consistently but keeps getting better at the same time. There are times when our preference is to just keep dumping the ball down to him until the other team stops him. Rutgers was in that 911 zone today as they didn’t have much of an answer for him. Dainja tallied 15 points, 7 rebounds, 1 block, 1 assist, and 1 steal.

We knew our post play would be different this year without Kofi Cockburn, but if you thought Dainja would help us this much-raise your hand? That’s what we thought-us neither!

#3
Terrance Shannon, Jr.

TSJ goes in streaks and when he’s on one we’re not sure there’s a player in the Big ten that can stop him. His quick first step is lightning fast, his crossover brakes opponents ‘ankles, his intense drives to the bucket are an unstoppable force, and his touch from the outside is featherly and deadly. When you throw-in his suffocating defense and his clutch free throw shooting you see how lucky Illinois was to land such a total ball player. Shannon, Jr. went for 15 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 blocks.

Honorable Mention

Matthew Mayer did not have one of his best games. But then you check the box score and he was this close to a double double-8 points and 8 huge rebounds!

Illini 3 Freshmen, invoked the wrath of Coach Brad Underwood-or let’s put it this way-Coach got these guys’ attention and although their stat lines weren’t off the charts they all played good defense, ran the offense well when the game was nip and tuck, and did enough to capture a very gritty home win. To get a good BTT and NCAA seed you must protect home court-the Illini freshmen helped do that today! Especially, another fantastic performance by Ty Rodgers who snapped up 7 rebounds in only 17 minutes of action!

Illini Freshmen plus a Goode, Luke Goode received a standing ovation when he returned to action in the first half Saturday.

Deron Williams, Mannie Jackson, & Rick Smidt, 3 former Illini were on hand & received great ovations from the crowd. The love for D-Will is literally overflowing and overwhelming!

Illinois is now 17-7 and 8-5 and will next take to the road to play an always tough Penn State team on Tuesday night.

[By JEFF MAYFIELD]

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