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Illinois Basketball: 5 takeaways from the Illini loss to Indiana

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - FEBRUARY 08: Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood shouts to players during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on February 8, 2018, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - FEBRUARY 08: Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood shouts to players during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on February 8, 2018, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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CHAMPAIGN, IL – FEBRUARY 08: Illinois Fighting Illini forward Greg Eboigbodin (11) slows down play after grabbing a rebound during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on February 8, 2018, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL – FEBRUARY 08: Illinois Fighting Illini forward Greg Eboigbodin (11) slows down play after grabbing a rebound during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on February 8, 2018, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. Greg Eboigbodin needs some control

There have been times this season where big man Greg Eboigbodin has shown he can play the No. 5 spot for the Illini. He has great athletic ability and can rebound and block shots pretty well.

Eboigbodin’s best game this season was against Michigan where he finished the night with 10 points, six rebounds and two blocks. This potential is what gives me hope that he will turn into a serviceable big man for the Illini in the near future.

But, there are a few glaring issues with Eboigbodin’s game. I have issues with his ability to score in the paint. I think his ability to post up is improving by the day but like I said earlier, he is still extremely raw. The shooting part of his game will come as long as he works on improving.

One area that is the most frustrating when it comes to Eboigbodin is his fouling. Fouls are something he can control on the floor. He doesn’t have to foul if he was disciplined. The problem is, though, he isn’t disciplined.

Illinois has been without a true big man the entire season and their forward playing the role as a big man – Michael Finke – has been out the last couple games with a concussion. This has forced Eboigbodin into more action. He has become a foul machine, though.

In the last three games, Eboigbodin has fouled out in the Penn State contest in just 21 minutes and has played limited minutes in the Indiana and Wisconsin games because he had four quick fouls. This kills the team because he is the only semblance of a big man the Illini have.

Eboigbodin has a chance to be a serviceable big man for this Illinois basketball team. Availability is important and he hasn’t been available the last few games for this program.

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