Illini Out-Slug Michigan State, 71-68

By Jeff Mayfield

[January 12, 2024] 

The Illinois Fighting Illini out-slugged and out-toughed the Michigan State Spartans, 71-68 last night in the State Farm Center. Over the last 7 minutes and some change the home crowd willed the Men in Orange to make stop after stop!

The Illini held their own on the boards [losing the battle 34-37] and in 2nd chance points [losing 13-14] but made up for it by making 2 more 3-pointers and by taking the ball aggressively to the hoop out-scoring Sparty 18-5 at the free throw line. Earlier this season LDN reporters suggested that IF Illinois did not improve their ft percentage it would result in devastating losses. That right there was an example of what we predicted-the Illini finished 18-of-22 from the charity stripe for 82%.

Illinois also out-scored Sparty 12-4 on bench points and 11-4 on points off turnovers. The good guys placed 5 players in double figures and this balanced scoring makes the Illini fun and dangerous! IF the Illini could somehow figure out a way to beat Maryland at home Sunday-they might have an interesting ranking come Monday!

The LDN’s 3 Stars

#1 Ty Rodgers

Apparently, Rodgers doesn’t care what people say on message boards or listen to fans shouting things from the stands. He just goes all out and gives everything he has for this team-I love that! AND I love him for that. He started the game like a house afire and it set the tone for the whole evening. He was one of our leading scores with a career-high 15 points with 3-for-4 coming at the free throw line.

#2 Coleman Hawkins

We’ve got to give Coleman some love here for the CH haters. All Hawkins did Thursday night was score 15 points on 3-for-5 3-point shooting, 4-4 from the stripe, and yanked down 7 rebounds. He also added 4 blocks, 2 steals and 2 assists! Another impressive performance.

#3 Marcus Domask

Didn’t have one of his best games but still tied for the lead in scoring with 15 markers, including 6-for-6 from the line, and pulling down 6 caroms. He also came up big in the passing game finishing the night as the assist leader with 5 dimes. He is a gamer!

Honorable Mention

Quincy Guerrier

10 points and 6 huge boards-the Illini don’t win without him and the next HM award winner.

Justin Harmon

10 points including 2 big-time 3-pointers. He continues to do all the little things that is making this group greater than the sum of their parts!

The Illini are now 12-3 overall. They also sit at second place in the Big Ten Conference with a 3-1 record. They will next host Maryland Sunday at 1 p.m.

[By JEFF MAYFIELD]

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