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Illinois Basketball: 5 takeaways from the Illini win over Rutgers

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 30: Rutgers Scarlet Knights Guard Corey Sanders (3) and Illinois Fighting Illini Guard Mark Alstork (24) get their arms tangled on their way up the court during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Illinois Fighting Illini on January 30, 2018, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 30: Rutgers Scarlet Knights Guard Corey Sanders (3) and Illinois Fighting Illini Guard Mark Alstork (24) get their arms tangled on their way up the court during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Illinois Fighting Illini on January 30, 2018, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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CHAMPAIGN, IL – JANUARY 30: Illinois Fighting Illini Guard Mark Smith (13) backpedals into Rutgers Scarlet Knights Guard Geo Baker (0) during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Illinois Fighting Illini on January 30, 2018, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL – JANUARY 30: Illinois Fighting Illini Guard Mark Smith (13) backpedals into Rutgers Scarlet Knights Guard Geo Baker (0) during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Illinois Fighting Illini on January 30, 2018, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

3. Everyone played well for the Illini

This season has been up and down, to say the least. There have been good moments and bad moments. Even in victories, the entire team isn’t playing well. It is usually just a few players who have carried the Illini each game this season.

In the Indiana victory, the main players for the Illini were Leron Black and Trent Frazier. They led the way with 19 points apiece. Sure, they got some bench help, but the other three starters combined for a total of six points. That is no way to sustain winning.

The Rutgers game was a different animal. The entire team played well. Frazier and Black continued their great play with 17 and 14 points, respectively. Illinois’ other three starters were sensational as well, though.

Kipper Nichols started over Mark Smith on Tuesday night and finished with 19 points, six rebounds and three steals. He was a great piece to have on the offensive end of the court. Mark Alstork played his usual role and was on fire as well. He finished with 12 points on the night. Even Michael Finke got involved on the offensive end with 11 points, three rebounds and three assists.

Every starter contributed to the victory over Rutgers. The bench played a nice role in the game as well. They finished with a total of 18 points. When everyone is playing well, this Illini team is hard to beat. It will be fun to see if they can continue this great play the rest of the season.

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