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The Fighting Illini have found a way to dig deep and play really strong basketball, despite being down their projected first team All-American Terrance Shannon Jr, who is currently serving and indefinite suspension for a legal issue.
The Illini have combined for 200 points in their last 2 matchups, and have made a point of spreading the love on offense, to create more firepower, lacking their All-American level star on the floor. Illinois tranced Mid-Major Farleigh Dickinson, and finished the day with 4 players in double digit scoring, 104 points total and a career high 4 deep shots made from deep for Justin Harmon.
In Tuesdays matchup vs the Northwestern Wildcats, Illinois hoisted a big time 96-66 win in an all out domination of the Illini’s in-state rival. Cats Head coach Chris Collins was quoted in his postgame press conference saying “We ran into a buzzsaw tonight, and we got our butt kicked in every fashion. They took the first punch, the second punch, the third punch, and we just never could get any sort of rhythm” says Collins. “Domask was fantastic, but I thought a lot of their guys were fantastic” remarks the wildcat head coach.
Illinois once again found themselves with 4 players in double digit scoring, and took whatever they wanted on the offensive end of the floor.
What else can be said about a guy like Marcus Domask. As stated previously, he was a massive find for Brad Underwood out of SIU, and better out of the gate than many expected with a transition from the MVC to the Big Ten. Marcus has continued to step up when needed for Illinois, with a contagious leadership. Brad Underwoods team has found way to find points without their projected First-Team All-American on the floor, and Domask is a guy who has really stepped up to the plate, and helped to keep momentum driving forward. Domask went 11-15 vs Northwestern, with 32 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists on the night. A booming display of offense, that barely missed his career high of 33. Now, you don’t have to have 32 night in and night out, but if Marcus can continue maintain a high level of offensive production, it will keep Illinois on a successful path. You have to find a way to make up points lost from Shannon, and Marcus is doing a great job of supplementing this cause.
Justin Harmon is another guy that has flat out played good basketball. Especially as a transfer, during a big time transition period with changes happening on the roster. Another 20 point performance, where Harmon once again was able to nail down 4 big shots from deep, going 4-5 on the day from 3-point distance, and 7-11 from the floor. Another much needed weapon for Underwood to add to his arsenal, that can flat out score when needed. I like Justin’s game a lot. A smart player, who takes unselfish shots, and provides more of that needed leadership in the Illini locker room. He will be much needed as Illinois treks further into the 2024 Big Ten schedule, without Terrance Shannon Jr, for the foreseeable future.
The Illini defense has been tough, and Tuesdays beatdown was no exception to the matter. Illinois held Chris Collins offense to just 41% shooting from the floor. It was a block festival, and the Wildcats seemingly struggled hard most of the night to get anything going inside the arc. The Cats did knock down 8 from 3, going 8-16 on the knight at 50% shooting, but many came after Illinois had already pulled themselves out to a 20+ point lead, which was maintained for the better part of the second half.
A massive road test lay’s ahead for Illinois, as they are now set to take on the No. 1 ranked Purdue Boilermakers in West Lafayette.
Illinois tips off at 7.30 in Mackey Arena on FS1, for what is sure to be a thriller. Illinois is a great matchup for this Purdue team, and can use their size and athleticism to make things difficult on the Boilers at their 1-4 positions. However, few have had an answer for big man Zack Edey. The 7’4 Canadian has been a dominating force in this league, and is revered by many as the best player in college basketball. Currently averaging 23 points and 10 rebound per game, Illinois is going to have their hands full finding a way to guard Edey. Brad Underwood and company will need to have a big night from Dain Dainja, Coleman Hawkins, and Quincy Guerrier. Foul trouble can become an issue quickly with a guy as powerful and big as Edey, and Illinois is going to have to play clean, sound basketball to get the job done. As we know from the experience of a player like Kofi Cockburn. Purdue’s one loss on the season? Chris Collins Northwestern Wildcats. A sure fire thriller in the making, that would be the best way to put Illinois on the map, as a team that can still win big games without Terrance Shannon Jr.
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