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Illinois Basketball: 5 takeaways from the Illini loss to Purdue

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - FEBRUARY 22: A fan picks up the front page of The Daily Illini, the University of Illinois' student newspaper, before the start of the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Purdue Boilermakers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on February 22, 2018, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - FEBRUARY 22: A fan picks up the front page of The Daily Illini, the University of Illinois' student newspaper, before the start of the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Purdue Boilermakers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on February 22, 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 22: Illinois Fighting Illini forward Leron Black (12) boxes out under the basket during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Purdue Boilermakers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on February 22, 2018, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL – FEBRUARY 22: Illinois Fighting Illini forward Leron Black (12) boxes out under the basket during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Purdue Boilermakers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on February 22, 2018, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. Leron Black has a chance to be an All-American next season

Let me first start off by saying, I really hope Leron Black comes back after he finishes graduate school. He is a super talented player who would shine in the Illini lineup next year. It would be heartbreaking to see him playing with another program.

With that being said, I believe no matter where he ends up, Black will be an All-American next season. This kid continues to develop every game he plays. The only issue he has that he can control is his fouling. But, that is what makes what he is doing even more incredible.

On Thursday night against Purdue, Black finished the game with 28 points, three rebounds and two assists. He did all of this on 12-of-25 shooting from the field and 3-of-7 from the three-point arc. He also only had one turnover on the night.

This was a great game by Black and to top it all off, he had to deal with two over seven-foot-tall guys in the paint. But, despite the tremendous difference in height, Black was able to shoot the ball over the big men and score on a consistent basis.

Black is already a superstar for this Illini team, but he will be even better next season. I think he would be the first Illini All-American in a very long time if he stuck around.

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