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

By Rees Woodcock

MADISON, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 18: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts in the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers at the Kohl Center on February 18, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MADISON, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 18: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts in the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers at the Kohl Center on February 18, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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CHAMPAIGN, IL – JANUARY 10: Members of the Illinois Fighting Illini are seen during the game against the Michigan Wolverines at State Farm Center on January 10, 2019 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL – JANUARY 10: Members of the Illinois Fighting Illini are seen during the game against the Michigan Wolverines at State Farm Center on January 10, 2019 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

2. How does Trent only shoot two times?

I have seen Trent Frazier have bad games since joining the Illini program. He has shot below 30-percent from the field on a few occasions this season. But, that is what shooters do. They shoot no matter if they are on or off for the night.

One thing shooters don’t do is stop shooting. I want one of our best shooters shooting the ball every game. That didn’t happen with Frazier on Sunday against Penn State. He had one of the weirdest games I have ever seen him have since suiting up for the Orange and Blue.

Frazier finished the Penn State game going 1-of-2 from the field and 1-of-1 from three-point land. He had 3 points, 2 steals, 2 assists and 1 rebound. When playing at least 20 minutes in a game that is the least amount of shots he has taken during his career.

I can’t say this was Frazier’s worst game of the season because he wasn’t playing bad. He just wasn’t shooting the ball. I am not sure why he wasn’t shooting, though. In the past, even when a defender is playing solid defense on him, he is still shooting the ball.

I am curious if this is a chemistry issue or if he was told not to shoot as much. You could see, after the Purdue game, Frazier’s shots in each game since have been low. He hasn’t shot the ball over seven times since that Purdue loss. I love Frazier on the team. I want to see him succeed. He needs to be shooting the ball more. I think we will have a much better chance of winning games.

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