Illinois Basketball: 5 observations from the Illini win over Michigan State

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CHAMPAIGN, IL – FEBRUARY 05: Illinois Fighting Illini guard Tevian Jones (5) and Illinois Fighting Illini guard Da’Monte Williams (20) high five fans in the tunnel that leads to the locker room at the conclusion of the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Illinois Fighting Illini on February 5, 2019, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

5. Lineup still needs changed

I have had this slide in these observation articles pretty much the entire year. But, I think the tides are starting to turn on this Illinois starting lineup.

I really do like every player on the Illinois basketball team. There isn’t a single player that I don’t want getting playing time. Each player has a role that can be fulfilled, but I don’t think the lineup is correct right now.

It did make me happy to see Da’Monte Williams in more of a timeshare role on Tuesday night. He only played 19 minutes in the game, which probably helped the Illini win as well. He isn’t producing points and that kills the starting lineup.

Aaron Jordan is in a similar situation. While Jordan is a better scorer, he has struggled tremendously this season. For the fourth game in a row, he hasn’t hit the eight-point mark. That is not what we need from a shooter in the starting lineup. He only received 23 minutes last night, so his minutes decreased as well.

I didn’t see Alan Griffin on the court, which worries me a little bit. But, Tevian Jones did receive 11 minutes and was productive in his time on the court. I would like to see him continue to receive more minutes to end the year.

Next. Illini road woes expected with young team. dark

Illinois isn’t getting a ton of production from Williams and Jordan. They played a combined 42 minutes and finished the night with five points, eight rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block. They also had three turnovers and shot 1-of-7 from the field. This can’t continue to happen. I need a lineup change.

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