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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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CHAMPAIGN, IL – JANUARY 27: Illinois Fighting Illinois fans cheer against the Michigan Wolverines during the game at Assembly Hall on January 27, 2013 in Champaign, Illinois. Michigan defeated Illinois 74-60. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

3. Mark Smith needs to play more

Early on in the Northwestern game, freshman sensation Mark Smith got in some foul trouble. He had two fouls in the first three minutes of the game. He also had a turnover in that time as well. I also heard he might have ridden the pine because of his defense.

Quite frankly, I don’t care. I want him on the court because he is a sensational player. He has the confidence of a Michael Jordan and the driving ability of a Deron Williams. Smith only received eight minutes last night against Northwestern and that is unacceptable.

In only eight minutes, Smith managed to put up five points, which is pretty impressive. He was 2-of-4 from the field and 1-of-3 from the three-point line. He also had a rebound in there as well. This type of production is really good for only eight minutes.

Smith needed to play more, though. He should have seen his regular production because Illinois needed him on the offensive end of the court. They were fine on defense the entire game but they needed more offensive firepower. That is where Smith would have helped this team tremendously.

Heading into the future, Smith needs to play regardless of his defense. His offensive abilities far outweigh his lack of defense. He is a special player and should be treated like so.

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