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Illinois Basketball: 4 things the Illini need to change

By Rees Woodcock

GLENDALE, AZ - APRIL 03: The ball goes through the hoop during warm ups before the game between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the 2017 NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship game at University of Phoenix Stadium on April 3, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - APRIL 03: The ball goes through the hoop during warm ups before the game between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the 2017 NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship game at University of Phoenix Stadium on April 3, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – APRIL 03: The ball goes through the hoop during warm ups before the game between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the 2017 NCAA Men’s Final Four National Championship game at University of Phoenix Stadium on April 3, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

The Illinois basketball team went up to Northwestern on Friday night and lost an overtime battle to the Wildcats.

This was a great game the entire time. Neither team could take a commanding lead and they had to have extra time to find out who the winner would be. It was a really depressing ending for Illinois fans, though.

Illinois had some bright spots on Friday night. I really liked how Te’Jon Lucas played at the No. 1 spot for the Illini. He finally broke out of his scoring slump and finished the night with 14 points on 6-of-12 shooting from the field. He also added 5 rebounds and 2 assists as well.

Aaron Jordan was, again, sensational off the bench. He has been shooting out of this world this season and should continue being a huge piece of what will still, hopefully, be an NCAA tournament team come March.

I also really liked how Da’Monte Williams played as well. He is arguably the best all-around player on this Illinois basketball team. He finished the night with 4 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals and 1 assist. He is a superstar in the making for this team.

But, there were clearly things that need to change with this team. It is time to see the full potential of some of these players.

Here are four things that need to change for the Illini.

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