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Illinois Basketball: 5 takeaways from the Illini loss to Minnesota

By Rees Woodcock

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 3: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts during the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers on January 3, 2018 at Williams Arena in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 3: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts during the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers on January 3, 2018 at Williams Arena in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 03: Illinois Fighting Illini guard Trent Frazier (1) dribbles in the 1st half during the Big Ten regular season game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Minnesota Golden Gophers on January 3, 2018 at Williams Arena in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 03: Illinois Fighting Illini guard Trent Frazier (1) dribbles in the 1st half during the Big Ten regular season game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Minnesota Golden Gophers on January 3, 2018 at Williams Arena in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. Starting lineup needs to change now

I am getting tired of typing this after every game but it is the truth. Illinois needs to change up their starting lineup before the season is completely lost.

Last night, the starting five of Te’Jon Lucas, Mark Smith, Mark Alstork, Leron Black and Michael Finke dug the Illini into such a deep hole they couldn’t get back out. Minnesota came out punching and there was no response from the starters. This momentum carried the Gophers into a 28-8 lead with 7:53 remaining in the first half.

Illinois ended up fighting back and even had the game down to a four-point margin with ten minutes to go. But, if the Illini didn’t start the game off that bad, I think they would have come away with a big road win on Wednesday night.

I am good with Black continuing to be a starter for this team. He is the only veteran player that I have been pleased with this season. I am willing to give Finke another game as well. He has really been bad lately but I will talk about that more in the next slide. But, beyond those two, I am thinking there needs to be a serious overhaul of the starting rotation.

Let’s be honest here, Trent Frazier deserves a starting spot and anyone who says different is either not watching the games or hates the kid. He was, again, sensational off the bench last night. He should be starting in place of Lucas.

Aaron Jordan did not have a good game last night shooting 2-of-10 from the field and 1-of-6 from the three-point arc. But, I like what Jordan brings to the table. He is a good rebounder and his defense is solid. I also like the fact he doesn’t hesitate to shoot. I would rather have him shooting than Mark Alstork. That is why I think Jordan should replace Alstork in the starting rotation.

The final change is one that I made last night. I want to see Da’Monte Williams starting in place of Mark Smith. This is a controversial move but I think, right now, Williams brings more to the table than Smith. I really like his aggression right now, and he does everything on the court. Last night, he finished with 6 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 4 steals. That is an incredible stat line.

So, the starting rotation moving forward should be Frazier, Williams, Jordan, Black and Finke. I think this gives the Illini the best chance to win basketball games.

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