No. 23 Illini (16-8, 8-6) rediscovered their identity on a cold, snowy night in Minnesota. They avoided falling to .500 in conference play with a 95-74 win over the Golden Gophers (12-12, 4-9).
It’s been a rough stretch for Illinois that seems to not end, but two of the last three games have shown steps in the right direction. The starting lineup and offense have changed, and now it just needs some consistency. Despite sophomore center Tomislav Ivišić’s injured ankle and illness circulating the locker room, everyone was available for the victory.
Drive the rock
One of the greatest things head coach Brad Underwood has done is adapt. The new college landscape has sent many established coaches running to retirement, but Underwood didn’t even blink.
Illinois lost two assistant coaches and returned just one player from last year’s roster. He didn’t skip a beat, though, and has remained fairly confident throughout the season, despite numerous injuries to star players and several illnesses infiltrating the roster.
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His next adaptation may be underway. It began in the second half against Ohio State (14-9, 6-6), but this was the first time the team has shown 40 minutes of pound-it basketball.
Underwood prefers a modern-day style of basketball: only taking shots at the rim or beyond the three-point line. Midrange shots have become irrelevant now, and nobody in college trusts that more than Underwood.
Illinois loved the three-ball too much, however, and it began to hurt. Well into the season, over half of Illinois’ field goal attempts were from three. It still hovers around the 50% mark, but the number is going down.
It will continue dropping after Saturday night. The Illini took 41 two-pointers on the night. They also decreased their three-point attempts, and to nobody’s surprise, the Illini went a ridiculously efficient 9-16. As the roster regroups from various absences, these recent changes seem to help the Illini find their strengths, which they’ll need as the schedule gets tougher.
Ball security
When the offense has been rough this season, Illinois has not taken care of the basketball. Freshman guard Kasparas Jakučionis turned it over 23 times in the last five games. He responded with a confident game, coughing it up once at Minnesota.
Guys’ missing time contributed to the turnovers too, as Ivišić has caused many since returning from mono. With everyone available on Saturday, it was clean basketball for Illinois, with only six turnovers.
Finding rhythm
The duo of Jakučionis and Ivišić hadn’t combined for a performance like this in weeks, and it all chalks up to health. That December chemistry is back to the Illini, and the stars are proving it.
Jakučionis finished with 24 points, four rebounds and four assists, as he took care of the basketball. His center was just as good, posting a line of 18 points and 11 boards.
Now, the absences weren’t all bad. With the two stars each out for a few games, the duo became a trio. Freshman forward Will Riley has been Illinois’ most consistent player lately and was the best on Saturday.
An efficient 11-17 from the field that ended with Riley making whatever he threw at the rim led to 27 points. He added nine rebounds, seven assists and a block to fuel Illinois past Minnesota.
With the win, Illinois returns home for a week. It won’t be just any week, however, as Kofi Cockburn and Terrence Shannon Jr. will have their jerseys retired in a couple of big games with Big Ten and NCAA Tournament seeding on the line.
@benfader7
