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Illinois Basketball: 5 takeaways from the Illini loss to Michigan State

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 22: Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts during the game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Michigan State Spartans on January 22, 2018 at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 22: Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts during the game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Michigan State Spartans on January 22, 2018 at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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CHAMPAIGN, IL – JANUARY 22: Illinois Fighting Illini Guard Trent Frazier (1) shoots a free throw during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Illinois Fighting Illini on January 22, 2018, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL – JANUARY 22: Illinois Fighting Illini Guard Trent Frazier (1) shoots a free throw during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Illinois Fighting Illini on January 22, 2018, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

5. Progress was made by multiple players

Like I said earlier, I am never happy with losing but there were some good things to come out of this game. I was happy with how some of the players showed progression in their games against Michigan State.

Mark Smith has a learning curve that has been made evident by how he has played this season. He isn’t starting caliber right now but it is clear he will be soon. He has the game to be a really good player for this team. He stepped into a three-pointer last night with confidence and drilled it. He continues to see what he is doing wrong on the court as well. He had a hand-checking foul last night and as soon as he did it, he realized what he had done. That is the maturity I am looking for.

Da’Monte Williams continued to progress as a player as well. He is a player that will do whatever the team needs him to do. He had four points, four assists and two steals against Michigan State. His shooting is still a little off but he helped facilitate the ball. Getting the ball moving is important, and he had a big hand in that.

I was really happy to see Te’Jon Lucas back on the court as well. I hope he continues to mature and whatever happened the last three games is in the past. He saw action and despite the box score not showing stats, he made a big impact on this team. His energy helps this program and having him off the bench is huge.

Next: State of the Illini basketball program

Illinois has some talent on this team that continues to develop every game. That is what the rest of the season is about right now. Development and if a win or two comes along then great, that will help the team with confidence. The future is bright with this program.

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