Illinois Basketball: Preview of games 11-15 for the Illini
By Eric Bruce
Missouri Tigers
Speaking of bringing your best game, the Illini will be in St. Louis one week later to face Missouri in the annual Braggin’ Rights game. If Twitter rumors are to be believed, this one is almost sold out. The excitement has returned to both of these basketball programs, and this rivalry has been reinvigorated.
It was given a substantial shot in the arm when erstwhile Illini recruit, Jeremiah Tilmon (9.6 ppg, 4.4 rpg) of East St. Louis, decommitted from Illinois after AD Josh Whitman fired John Groce. After a few weeks of speculation, Tilmon did what everyone thought he’d do by committing to the Tigers’ new head coach and East St. Louis native, Cuonzo Martin.
The Illini will enter this game an underdog – a moniker that I am sure suits Brad Underwood just fine. The Illini, after losing Tilmon, will be playing with a big chip on their collective shoulder. This is going to be a hell of a physical and emotional match. I am especially looking forward to the Leron Black and Tilmon battle.
But in order to prevail, the Illini will need more than just passion. Illinois will need its best defense and to be smart and efficient on offense to earn the “W.” The Tigers have weapons, despite losing the best player in the country, Michael Porter Jr., to what appears to be a season-ending back injury.
In addition to Tilmon, who tends to come off the bench, the Tigers have a very strong frontcourt. Jordan Barnett, at 6-foot-7, 215-pounds, is averaging 12.7 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. He is joined by the outstanding tough-nosed junior, Kevin Puryear. Puryear is 6-foot-7, 240-pounds and is averaging 12.6 points and over 5 rebounds per game. Rounding out the frontcourt is center 6-foot-11 freshman Jontay Porter (Michael’s brother). Porter averages 8.3 points and 6.7 rebounds per game.
The Tigers’ backcourt is less impressive but still dangerous. The point is run by Jordan Geist, a 6-foot-2 junior who is averaging 5.2 points per game. Senior guard Kassius Robertson is the leading scorer on the team though, averaging 14.6 points per game. Robertson gives this team that dangerous kick out opportunity for a team that gets most of its buckets closer to the rim.
To win this game, the Illini will need its best defense. Big games from Michael Finke, Leron Black, and Kipper Nichols will be critical. And some quality minutes from Greg Eboigbodin will also come in handy. Look for Mark Alstork and company to try to lock down Robertson and crash the boards to help with rebounding.
The bottom line for the Illini is this will be an extremely tough game. Missouri is a solid team that plays a consistent brand of workmanlike basketball. The Illini better bring their lunch buckets because this is going to be a labor-intensive affair.