Illinois Basketball: 5 observations from the Illini win over ETSU

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CHAMPAIGN, IL – DECEMBER 15: Illinois Fighting Illini forward Giorgi Bezhanishvili (15) and ETSU Buccaneers forward Jeromy Rodriguez (11) wrestle for a jump ball during the college basketball game between the East Tennessee State Univeristy Buccaneers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on December 15, 2018, at State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

4. Illinois held their big men down

Going into the game against East Tennessee State, there were a few players the Illini had to keep an eye on. The Buccaneers had two players who could have potentially gave the Orange and Blue trouble, but that didn’t happen.

Jeromy Rodriguez was the main ETSU player that I was worried about. He was averaging over 12 points and 12 rebounds per game heading into the Saturday matchup. To say Illinois shut him down might be a massive understatement. Rodriguez finished the game against the Illini with two points and seven rebounds on 1-of-4 shooting from the field.

ETSU also had Mladen Armus who made me nervous as well. He is a 6-foot-10 forward who could cause chaos for the Illini. Armus was averaging over nine points and nine rebounds per game heading into the game against Illinois. Let’s just say, his averages went down. Armus finished the game with zero points and three rebounds on 0-of-2 shooting. He also had three turnovers as well.

Illinois’ defense was extremely impressive on Saturday. Their big men held their own in the paint and this helped the Orange and Blue to a victory. When we only give up 55 points in a game, we should come away with a win every time.

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