Illini Comeback Cools Off Sparty, 75-66

By Jeff Mayfield

[January 14, 2023] 

The University of Illinois Fighting Illini were facing a huge 9-point 2nd half deficit to Michigan State but had a couple of nice runs to cool off the red-hot Spartans, 75-66 last night at the SFC. MSU had won seven in a row coming into this contest. Even though the Illini only committed 1 second half turnover [that is not a misprint] and a season-low 5 for the game, they somehow overcame getting hammered on the boards 42-30!

Illinois held Sparty to zero 3-pointers on 0-7 shooting from the arc while making 6 of their own. The Illini also had one of their best nights from the free throw line going 15 for 18 which turned out to be a difference maker. A sold-out crowd of 15,544 clad in orange had one of the best games I’ve seen an audience have as they almost willed the team to victory!

3 STARS

#1
Matthew Mayer

A few weeks ago, fans were questioning the addition of Mayer to this team’s roster. Not anymore! As he’s gotten more settled in, finally gotten healthier and having discovered his role, at times he just takes over games. It’s hard for a writer to choose what was his most important contribution last night-his career high 6 blocked shots OR the two huge, late 3’s he hit to tie the game and give Illinois the lead? I’m going to go with both. He may sound a little goofy at times and people may not know how to take his candid, transparent comments, but this Texan sure knows how to play!

#1
Dain Dainja

I had intended to make Mayer my #1 star outright-that is until I heard MSU Coach Tom Izzo say that he thought Dainja was the difference. Coach is probably correct. All Dainja contributed was a career-high 20 points [including 4 of 5 from the free throw line], 7 rebounds, 2 huge blocks, and I think I saw him applying salt & ice melt on the streets & sidewalks in his spare time-I jest! But I’m not jesting about his dominance in the paint in this contest-he was a force. IF some of our other guys had mixed it up more, we would not have gotten killed on the boards like we did.

#2
Terrance Shannon, Jr.

Who knows if Illinois goes on to win this one had it not been for Shannon’s hot start? He was held to only two 2nd half points, but his 15 1st half markers literally kept the Illini in the game [though they were down 33-37 at intermission]. Shannon also converted 6 of 6 free throws and it’s good to see that kind of leadership from the line. Lots of important games can be won be being solid at the charity stripe.

#3
Coleman Hawkins

Sometimes watching Hawkins is maddening-you look at him and you see all the physical tools of a player that could dominate. At other times he’ll do things that’ll make you pull your hair out. But during crunch time he came through! His late 3 gave the Illini the lead and a margin they would never concede, and he nearly ended up with a double double going for 9 points and 8 rebounds.

Honorable mention
Jayden Epps

Epps has quietly assumed the keys of the Illini offense and has done it almost seamlessly. How many times has Illinois had a true freshman that was able to produce in that role at this high of a level? He added a critically important 7 points, with 2 steals, and a career high 5 assists. As a former point guard myself, I’ve always thought of that position as the key to the whole engine. Epps has certainly been a most solid contributor to this Illini team and he sure helped them to victory last night!

The Orange-Out Crowd

I mostly stopped mentioning the crowd years ago. My frustrations with them grew to a breaking point and I just ignored them. Why? Because it seemed to me, we were not getting the home court advantage that you need from them to be successful in this league. I felt like they always waited for the team to do something before they got engaged and involved. Many times I felt like I was at a golf tournament instead of a Big Ten basketball game. I stand corrected. Last night was one of the best examples of an imposing home team crowd I have seen in many ages. [former Lincoln resident Jason Smith was also spotted in the crowd last night and was Illinois’ lucky charm]. Anyway, our crowd brought a smile to my face last night-win or lose=nice going Illini fans!

Illinois will next travel to Minnesota to take on the Golden Gophers on Monday night.

[By JEFF MAYFIELD]

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