Illinois Basketball: 5 observations from the Illini loss to Michigan

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CHAMPAIGN, IL – JANUARY 10: Michigan Wolverines guard Jordan Poole (2) passes the ball around Illinois Fighting Illini center Adonis De La Rosa (12) during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Illinois Fighting Illini on January 10, 2019, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. The Illini bench still isn’t giving us much

To piggyback on the end of that last slide, Illinois needs to start turning these good nights by Ayo Dosunmu into victories. How is that possible? Well, to start, it would be nice to get some production from the bench.

Illinois’ bench played a total of 45 minutes last night. This should amount to at least 10 points, if not more. But, the Illini bench only scored six points in the 45 minutes of action. I would say the best player off the bench was Da’Monte Williams. He ended the night with two points, two steals, an assist and a rebound in 18 minutes.

Andres Feliz accounted for three assists, as well, to go along with his two points. Adonis De La Rosa was the only other player to score. He also had two points. The bench was a combined 3-of-10 from the field and 0-of-3 from three-point land.

The Illini have two big men signed up for the class of 2019. I believe they only have one scholarship remaining. I would like to see another solid shooter on this team next season. That should be the way that scholarship is used. Illinois needs more point production.

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