Illinois Basketball: 5 observations from the Illini win over ETSU

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CHAMPAIGN, IL – DECEMBER 15: Samba Kane (SEN)(34) center University of Illinois Fighting Illini defends an inbound attemopt by Carlos Curtis (5) guard East Tennessee State University (ETSU) Buccaneers, Saturday, December 15, 2018, State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by David Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

3. Samba Kane continued to develop

Every time Samba Kane sees the floor, I think to myself this is a good player. He seems to have everything I want in a big man, and he shows me that every game.

On Saturday, Kane only played 13 minutes and finished the game with three points, two rebounds, one steal and one block. He did have two turnovers and three fouls, but I attribute that to being young and not receiving enough playing time in prior games.

But when Kane takes the court, you can tell this kid a chance to not only be a solid player for the Illini, but he has a chance to be one of the best centers we have seen in the last few decades. I am talking a big-time rim protector who has amazing touch. That is a rare combination.

I look at Kane like a mix between Meyers Leonard and Nnanna Egwu. I think he can end up being somewhere in the middle of those two. I would love to see Kane get more playing time because I think he could flourish and be ready for Big Ten play.

Illinois has a true gem on their hands with Kane. Each minute he gets on the court, he continues to show why he should play more. Get this man some more minutes.

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