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Illinois Basketball: 5 takeaways from Illini win over Missouri

By Rees Woodcock

CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 16: Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts during the game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the New Mexico State Aggies on December 16, 2017 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 16: Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts during the game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the New Mexico State Aggies on December 16, 2017 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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CHAMPAIGN, IL – DECEMBER 16: Leron Black
CHAMPAIGN, IL – DECEMBER 16: Leron Black /

2. Leron Black performed to all-conference level

For most of Leron Black’s career, I have been disappointed. He was a top 60 player coming into the Illinois program and up until this season, he really hasn’t played up that caliber. I can blame two people for his lack of development, though.

The first person is himself. Black is to blame for some of his issues. He had the off-court issues which showed a lack of maturity, and then the on-court issues where he would foul out or get into scuffles. These were all things hampering his maturation throughout his career.

I also blame Groce for Black’s issues as well. Groce never took a good player and made him great. He could take below average players and make them average. That is about it for his career, though. Black came in as a good player with potential of greatness. Underwood is now developing Black to make him great.

I saw some great things out of Black last night from a game and maturation standpoint. There were a few times Missouri got into the faces of Illini players but instead of Black getting in the middle or retaliating, he was calm and collected. This enabled Missouri to get a technical and not Illinois.

Black’s game has really developed as well. He has a shot for the NBA, in my opinion. He finished the night with 20 points and 7 rebounds. He also shot 8-of-18 from the field, which is a solid average considering most of his shots were jumpers from the shoulder area.

I am not surprised by the development of Black already this season. Underwood is a great coach and Black has a tremendous amount of talent. It is a marriage made in basketball heaven.

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