It is easy to read too much into pre-season basketball scrimmage games like those the Illinois basketball team played in Belgium and France last month. But then again, it is worth reviewing these games for a few reasons.
It tells us a little bit about who is alive and kicking, and who isn’t, and what the team chemistry looks like.
In addition to playing competitive basketball, the point of a trip like this is to build team cohesion. Similar to a family, they bond while touring a foreign country. The team does everything together, from visiting tourist attractions, to traveling and just hanging out together. They share meals together, play games together and share sleeping arrangements.
They get really know each other. And that can be a wonderful thing for a basketball team. Of course, the hope is that it pays dividends on the court during the regular season.
The goal of the basketball games is to give quality time to the players that the coaches think show the most promise, those the coaches feel they can get more out of, and the new guys. In other words, everyone plays.
The Illini went 3-1 in their trip. Based on the scores alone, it is clear the team started slow in Belgium, getting shelled in its second game. But they finished strong in France, perhaps finally becoming acclimated after their trans-Atlantic flight, or perhaps finding some mo-jo with each other.
While it is too early to determine anything with complete certainty, a review of the stats from these games reveals a thing or two about how this team is coming together.
The Illini struggled to victory in their first game against Wargem of Belgium, eventually winning 68 to 63. Coach Groce started D.J. Williams, Kendrick Nunn, Malcolm Hill, Leron Black, and Maverick Morgan.
The starting five standouts were Black and Hill. Black was great, a theme on this trip, hitting 7 for 12 shots, with a total of 16 points. He was a monster on the boards, grabbing 14 rebounds. Hill went 6 for 13 shooting, for 15 points and 8 rebounds. Freshman DJ Williams went 2 for 3 with a couple rebounds. Nunn struggled on 3 for 12 shooting. And Morgan went 3 for 6, with 3 rebounds.
Feb 22, 2015; Champaign, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Malcolm Hill (21) drives past Michigan State Spartans guard Bryn Forbes (5) after a pick set by Illinois Fighting Illini forward Leron Black (12) at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports
Outside of Nunn, these starters did a pretty good job, combining for 50 points. The Illini received a big lift off the bench from 5th year transfer, Mike Thorne Jr., who put up 10 points and 9 rebounds.
The Illini fell in their next game, shooting a dismal 25% on 3 pointers. The starters were Tate, Nunn, Hill, Black, and Thorne. Probably a preview of the starting five once the season hits.
Tate was 0 for 4 from the field, but on the upside he had five assists. Morgan and Nunn led the way on scoring with 10 each. Nunn hit only one of four from three-point range, but hauled in seven rebounds. Black finished with eight rebounds. All-in-all, a tough game for the Illini against a team ranked 88th in the Federation of International Basketball, or FIBA.
On the same day that Groce sent Darrius Paul packing, the Illini bounced back with a dominant performance, especially in the second half, against Bretigny Select defeating them 95 to 73.
The starters were Williams, Tate, Aaron Jordan, Thorne and Michael Finke. Tate’s stat line stood out to me the most. He scored 10 points and had six dishes in a game-high 26 minutes of playing time. That is where he needs to be consistent, especially in the assists category.
Black led the way offensively on 50% shooting with 15 points. He also had a game-high 10 rebounds. Jordan, Nunn, and Thorne scored 12 points each. Thorne had seven rebounds and Finke had eight. This was a game in which everyone scored except for Cameron Liss, who played just two minutes.
In the final game of the Belgium/France tour, the Illini defeated AMW Select 96 to 77. The Illini started Williams, LaTullip (in his final game as an Illini), Black, Finke, and Alex Austin (transfer from EIU).
There was a lot of outstanding play in this game, but Black should be acknowledged first. He scored 21 points on 8 for 12 shooting and grabbed 15 rebounds, eight of them offensive. This game solidified Black’s place as the best player coming out of this trip.
Hill came off the bench, shooting 100% from the field with 14 points. He was five for five shooting and four of five from the free throw line in just 13 minutes. Freshmen DJ Williams had 14 points, on 6 of 9 shooting and Aaron Jordan scored 13 points. But perhaps most notable for Jordan was when he sank a 30 footer at the halftime buzzer. Finally, of note, Tate, while scoring just four points, had six assists.
So what does all of this tell us?
I see Black, Hill, Thorne, and Tate as starters. Everyone has a flat game now and then, but these four stood out, especially Black. Tate dished the ball well, which is what he needs to do. Was he a leader on the court? I frankly don’t know, but he needs to be if he wants to retain the starting job. I’m sure Groce will be paying very close attention to that in practice.
So who is the fifth starter? Going into this trip I assumed Nunn. I think he is smart player, with mad potential on offense and an aggressive defender. But his offensive performance on this trip was incredibly weak. While I still think he is the starter, if he comes out cold in games then watch for Groce to do a quick substitution with Williams or Jordan. Williams stats looked exceptionally impressive for a freshman. And assuming freshman Jalen Coleman-Lands, temporarily sidelined with a stress fracture to his lower left leg, continues to improve, then all bets are off. If he can defend half as good as Nunn then look out.
I might be most excited about Black though. As a sophomore he appears to have really taken a leap forward. The former Mr. Tennessee Basketball scored 56 points in these four games and he nabbed 47 rebounds. On that showing, I predict that Black is going to be a big deal this year.
In the final assessment, it will all come down to the guard play this year. Luckily for Illinois, they have some great talent at that position. I would look for Groce to rotate Nunn, Coleman-Lands, Williams, and Jordan frequently. Occasionally, I see the Illini going small with four guards. Illinois has options. I feel good about this year.