26-8; 14-6, Second in the Big Ten Conference, won the Big Ten Tournament
It took awhile for Illinois to prove that they were worthy of a gaudy ranking this season. Once they broke into the top ten of the polls, though, the Illini proceeded to prove that they so belonged that they could even hang without their best player.
For a moment mid-season, it seemed like Illinois might see its promising season hit a brick wall. Leading scorer and All-Big Ten star Terrence Shannon Jr was charged with rape in Kansas. Though that legal case has not yet been resolved, a judge in late January reinstated Shannon from suspension, and he has continued to play very well for the Illini. While he was out, though, Shannon’s teammates proved how strong a group Illinois is even without him.
Marcus Domask, a newly-arrived veteran transfer, has proven himself to be a big star in his own right – and now Illinois features genuine co-captains. On December 22 against Missouri, Shannon scored 30 points in leading the Illini to victory. He wouldn’t play again until January 21. Up until that time, Domask had been averaging 11.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists per contest. Without the team’s top scorer available, Domask stepped up in an extraordinary way. Over the month that Illinois was without Shannon, Domask went off. In the team’s first game after the new year, Domask went for 32 points, six assists and five boards against Northwestern. At Purdue the next game, 26 with five helpers. There had been flashes of such play; in a big matchup with Florida Atlantic at Madison Square Garden in early December, Domask scored 33 points and seemingly could not Moss in the second half as the Illini prevailed.
So big, savvy, and multi-skilled are Shannon and Domask that the Illini they have answered the question which plagued the program and consternated fans all spring, summer, and fall: Who would be the point guard for Illinois? Domask and Shannon have proven to be devastating isolation scorers, and they average nearly six assists per game combined. When they see a favorable matchup, the Illinis’ star scorers go to work; and when the defense collapses upon them too aggressively, Shannon and Domask will find open guys. While Illinois doesn’t have a dominant low-post scorer or rack ’em up deep threat, Shannon and Domask do everything in between. They are patient and read the action around them well in the halfcourt, and Shannon in particular can be a runaway freight train with tremendous body control when getting out in transition.
The Illinis’ third option isn’t bad, either. Coleman Hawkins is a big guy with serious playmaking skills, and he’s had a career year of his own. Capable of scoring in the lane, Hawkins is very much a modern big man who is at his best when allowed to range and create within the flow of the action. Hawkins can be a disruptive defender whose length and quickness help out in a variety of situations and allow him to remain effective even when out-muscled. And when all else fails, Hawkins doesn’t mind mixing it up or taking an artful spill; in fact, Big Ten opponents may even tell you that Hawkins is aggravating to play against. Offensively, he’s arguably the Illinis’ best outside shooter and has taken great strides this year in spacing the floor for Shannon and Domask to find their opportunities.
With veterans Quincy Guerrier and Justin Harmon adding their talents in large support roles, youngsters Luke Goode and Ty Rogers have settled into their own useful, complementary roles. Illinois has a rotation which plays long at each spot despite the lack of a traditional post player; though Dain Dainja has inconsistently filled that role. It would be a significant boost to the Illini if he could become the burly, assertive post scorer he was for most of last season. Harmon and Guerrier are tough and tough-minded players who have won throughout their collegiate career. It took a bit for Harmon to settle into his role in Champaign after transferring in, but he’s averaging 8.4 points since the end of December. Guerrier brings meaningful defensive versatility at forward and has chipped in 41 triples at a career-high 38.7% rate.
With frustration among the Orange Krush palpable this summer after Illinois missed out on RayJ Dennis (among other impact veteran point guards), Illinois coach Brad Underwood declared his intention to utilize Rodgers in that role. The long youngster has capably helped out this year, rewarding his coach with a 71-44 assist to turnover ratio, occasional bursts of offense, and the ability to do winning things at both ends of the floor. Rodgers was particularly valuable in the Illinis’ overtime win over Nebraska in February; he had eight points, 14 boards (five offensive), three assists, three steals, and a pair of blocks. Goode has provided a needed deep threat off the pine, but has averaged just 3.0 points per game over the Illinis’ past ten contests. Timely three’s are as good as gold in the month of March, and Illinois has got to feel like Goode is due for a big performance.
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