Illinois Basketball: 5 takeaways from the Illini win over Austin Peay

5. We need better point guard play

Through much of the game on Wednesday night, I was extremely disappointed with how Te’Jon Lucas played. He wasn’t being effective and was turning the ball over like it was his job. Honestly, this game against Austin Peay was just the icing on the questioning cake. I wonder, is he really the best option for the Illini right now?

Lucas finished the game with nine points and four assists against the Governors. Those are okay numbers but he also had five turnovers which is bad. That means he had more turnovers than assists. It is hard to win any game when your main point guard does that.

Only one time this season has Lucas hit 10 points and that was against Northwestern. His max assists in a game has been six and he did that twice. He has also had two games where he has had five turnovers as well.

I am starting to question whether or not Lucas is the right player to be starting for this team. If he would bring more scoring ability to the table I would say he is, but there is another player – Trent Frazier – who I think would be a better fit for this team.

Frazier doesn’t see a ton of minutes – only hitting 20 minutes four times this season – but he is a good ball distributor and scorer. His high in points in 11 and he has hit the 10-point mark three times this year. He is clearly a better scorer than Lucas. I also question if Frazier is a better passer as well. He hit the seven assist mark against Maryland. Lucas has failed to hit that mark this season.

Next: Should there be a lineup change for the Illini?

I think it is time to look at the point guard position. Illinois needs to move the ball more and it starts with the main ball handler. Frazier would give a spark to this Illini team.