Welcome to February! No. 23 Illinois (15-7, 7-5) got beaten up a little bit in January as it struggled to have all of its players on the court at once, just like last season. Illinois got healthy toward the end of the month and hit February running in stride as everyone was able to develop chemistry and play the best basketball of the season.
It is a new year, but the Illini are hoping for a similar result. After snapping a cold streak in sophomore center Tomislav Ivišić’s return to the lineup on Sunday, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (11-11, 4-7) are the next challenge in their path.
Change isn’t quick
Neither Ivišić nor freshman guard Kasparas Jakučionis have returned to their early season form since returning to action, but patience is important. It is extraordinarily difficult to take time off in the middle of a season, especially for two guys in their first collegiate seasons.
When star guard Terrence Shannon Jr. returned last season, it took him almost a month to return to his peak form. When he blossomed into the March stud at the end of the year, nobody even remembered some of the rough play he had in late January and early February.
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It’s probably safe to expect multiple weeks before Illinois reaches its peak this season. But that doesn’t mean anyone should anticipate or be okay with losing. The comeback victory over Ohio State was a step in the right direction for the healthier squad, and each game is important for improvement.
Roster still talented
Even as the foreign duo gets re-acclimated to play, Illinois has the talent to compete with the very best. Freshman forward Will Riley had Illinois fans in awe to start the year, torching mid-major opponents. As the competition ramped up, Riley struggled with his physicality and shot-making at a higher level.
That changed five games ago, and something clicked for the first-year player. Riley has scored 16 or more points in three of the last five games. These efforts have really picked up some slack from the entire team during cold spells. The Illini need their five-star more than ever during this stretch. They might even be better off at the end of the year, with Riley getting this experience.
Another freshman is also benefiting from the extra experience right now. Forward Morez Johnson Jr. has been a force lately. He has helped give Illinois more dangerous lineup combinations than it might have had if Ivišić was healthy.
Johnson recorded a double-double in the first half alone last time out, and he’s been extremely efficient. If he can get more consistent on defense, he could quickly become one of the better conference big men.
Back in Piscataway
With Rutgers residing in the bottom tier of teams in the Big Ten, Illinois fans are probably hoping the team won’t need a similar comeback that the football team did. Just a few months ago at Rutgers, wide receiver Pat Bryant believed in miracles. The senior scampered into the end-zone to break hearts in New Jersey.
The Scarlet Knights will have one uber-talented freshman on the court on Wednesday in the form of forward Ace Bailey. The former No. 2 player in the class of 2024 averages 20.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game this season. Bailey is known for his tough shot-making abilities and will be a difficult matchup for whoever gets the task.
Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CST today at Jersey Mike’s Arena.
@benfader7
