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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 24: Illinois Fighting Illini Guard Trent Frazier (1) dribbles by Indiana Hoosiers Forward Freddie McSwain Jr. (21) during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on January 24, 2018, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

4. Trent Frazier lit the fire that burned all night

Illinois started the game against Rutgers off fairly solidly. They were up 15-12 halfway through the first half. At the time, no one would have thought Illinois would win by 31 points and at one time hold a 41-point lead. But, that is when Trentmania took over.

The Illini were only up three points at the 10-minute mark in the first half when Trent Frazier drained a three-pointer to go up six points. On the next possession, Frazier continued his hot streak and drained another three-pointer.

Frazier followed those makes up with a rebound on Rutgers next possession and then assisted on a Mark Alstork layup to extend the lead to 11 points in favor of the Illini. Illinois was the next to score again as Frazier made another three-pointer at the 7:32 mark in the first half to go up 14 points.

Illinois went on an 11-0 run and Frazier made nine of those points and assisted on the other two. He was the main reason the Illini extend the lead over Rutgers. He threw the first punch of the game and the Scarlet Knights couldn’t get back off the mat.

Frazier finished the night with 17 points, four assists and three rebounds, but that 9-0 run he went on by himself is what really set this Illini team apart. This helped give the team confidence in the first half and the never lost that edge. I keep saying Frazier will be a superstar but honestly, I think he already is.

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