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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 – NOVEMBER 22: Mark Alstork /

4. Mark Alstork needs to come off bench

Once again, the Illinois starting lineup consisted of Te’Jon Lucas, Mark Smith, Mark Alstork, Leron Black and Michael Finke. This is the lineup the Illini started the season with but there is one glaring issue.

Alstork has been struggling for much of this season and it is hurting the team. He has some nice ability to go get a rebound – he finished the Missouri game with seven rebounds – but he isn’t a good scorer. Illinois needs more consistent scoring from one of their starting guards.

So far, this season, the 6-foot-5 Alstork has hit the double-digit scoring mark just four times. In each of those four games, he has actually shot well. But, the other 10 games are a different story. In the last two games, he is a combined 2-of-10 from the field for 4 points. Shooting struggles happen but when they do, you still need to be able to get to the free throw line to provide points. That isn’t happening, though.

Alstork’s last five games haven’t been much better than his last two. He is a combined 6-of-22 from the field for a total of 17 points. Illinois can’t sustain winning with this being in the starting lineup.

Underwood wants a bigger guard in the role Alstork is playing right now, and I have a suggestion for him. Please play Aaron Jordan in place of Alstork. He brings that size you want, and he can do everything on the basketball court. There is no reason for Jordan to only get 16 minutes against Missouri. He is one of the best shooters on the team.

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