Illinois Basketball: Who is hot and who is not for the Illini

CHAMPAIGN, IL - DECEMBER 16: Leron Black
CHAMPAIGN, IL - DECEMBER 16: Leron Black

Throughout the season, there have been different Illinois basketball players who have had the hot hand or have gone stone cold.

It all depends on who is playing well at what time. As of late, these players have changed and there have been some new players who have stepped up for this team. Here are the current hot and not players for the Illini.

Who’s hot

Trent Frazier

Despite having an underwhelming game against Michigan, Trent Frazier has remained one of hottest players this season for the Illini.

Since receiving an increased number of minutes over the last seven games, Frazier has averaged 15 points, 2.3 assists, 2 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game. He has truly been sensational for this program, and I hope he continues throughout the entirety of Big Ten play.

Leron Black

Since missing the game against Longwood with an injury, Leron Black has been great for this team. He is a scoring machine down low and continues to be the leading veteran for the Illini.

Black has averaged 15.6 points and 6.8 rebounds per game since coming back from his injury five games ago. This production has been amazing for the Illini in the paint.

Greg Eboigbodin

With the disappearance of Michael Finke in the paint, Illinois needed someone to step up and be productive. That is why I think Greg Eboigbodin is hot right now.

Eboigbodin has stepped up his game tremendously over the last two games. He has averaged 9.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game in only 15.5 minutes of action. Those are good numbers that will only increase.

Who’s not

Michael Finke

Heading into his junior year, I expected more out of Michael Finke. He was a big man that I thought could shoot well, but we haven’t seen much of that this season, let alone recently.

Finke has only averaged 6.6 points and 4.4 rebounds per game in the last five contests. Those aren’t starter numbers but more like 10-15 minute per game backup numbers.

Aaron Jordan

One of the great stories to start the year was how well Aaron Jordan was playing. He was sensational shooting the ball, but that has since slowed way down.

Jordan has averaged 4.2 points and 3.2 rebounds per game the last five contests. On top of the bad scoring, he has also been extremely inefficient only shooting 25-percent from the field.

Next: 5 takeaways from the Illini loss to Michigan

Mark Alstork

Illinois thought they were getting a veteran leader who could score when they nabbed Mark Alstork. But, that hasn’t turned out the way most had hoped.

Alstork has only averaged 4.2 points and 4.6 rebounds over the last five games. He has become a solid defender, but right now the Illini need points and he isn’t producing.