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Illinois Basketball: 5 observations from the Illini loss to Penn State

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - FEBRUARY 23: Illinois Fighting Illini Head Coach Brad Underwood reacts after a play during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Illinois Fighting Illini on February 23, 2019, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - FEBRUARY 23: Illinois Fighting Illini Head Coach Brad Underwood reacts after a play during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Illinois Fighting Illini on February 23, 2019, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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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)
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) /

2. What is going on with Tevian

There were a few puzzling things yesterday during the Penn State game. One of the most puzzling things was the lack of time for Tevian Jones. It blew my mind that we hardly had a chance to see this kid play.

During a pretty successful stretch of the season where Illinois won three out of four games including against two top 15 teams, Jones was playing solid minutes. He was averaging 17 minutes per game in that four-game stretch. But, he is not getting those minutes anymore.

Jones only received seven minutes in the Rutgers overtime game. He only got two minutes in the Ohio State game. He received eight minutes in the Wisconsin game. And, on Saturday against Penn State, he only received three minutes.

I know Brad Underwood is all about matchups, etc. but when you have a talented player like Jones just rotting on the bench, why not play him? I think we all know this kid has talent. He is a super athletic player who can really give defenses headaches at times. I don’t understand why he isn’t seeing the floor.

In addition to Jones not playing, Underwood continues to play players who aren’t as good as Jones. Aaron Jordan is okay as a starter. I would like for him to produce more but leaving him as a starter is okay to me. But, I think Jones should at least replace Da’Monte Williams.

I understand Williams brings solid defensive skills to the table, but we gave up 83 points to Penn State. It is pointless to have someone start who can’t put the ball in the hoop. Jones would give this Illini team way more offense than we are getting with Williams right now.

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