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Illinois Basketball: 5 observations from the Illini loss to Gonzaga

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN , IL - NOVEMBER 13: The Georgetown Hoyas line up for the National Anthem before a college basketball game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at the State Farm Center on November 13, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
CHAMPAIGN , IL - NOVEMBER 13: The Georgetown Hoyas line up for the National Anthem before a college basketball game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at the State Farm Center on November 13, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /
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LAHAINA, HI – NOVEMBER 19: Ayo Dosunmu #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini tries to shoot the ball as he is closely guarded by Zach Norvell Jr. (L) #23 and Brandon Clarke #15 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the second half of the game at Lahaina Civic Center on November 19, 2018 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images) /

3. Illinois needed more help from the backcourt

While Frazier was easily the most impressive player on the court for both teams, the Illini backcourt didn’t help him enough to come away with the victory. They needed more help from their talented veterans and newcomers.

Senior leader Aaron Jordan didn’t have a great game. He ended the night with eight points on 2-of-9 shooting. He did also have 10 rebounds and three assists, though, but Illinois needed more point production down the stretch from him. There were some big three-point shots toward the end that didn’t go.

I was kind of surprised by the lack of production from Ayo Dosunmu as well. He only had six points on 2-of-7 shooting from the field and 1-of-3 from three-point land. He did add in three rebounds and three assists, but there wasn’t much going on the offensive end for Dousnmu the entire night.

The trio of Frazier, Dosunmu and Jordan need to be putting up points for this Illini team. Frazier did his share on Monday night, but the other two really couldn’t get it going. Illinois is going to need more help from the backcourt if they are going to win games this season.

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