Illinois Basketball: 3 observations from the Illini win over Wisconsin
3. The bench played well again
I said it after the Purdue game and I will say it after this game too. If the Illinois bench continues to produce, then I think this team can not only make the NCAA tournament, but we can go deep into March.
The numbers this Illinois bench put up against Purdue were silly. I wouldn’t expect them to put up 25 points, 21 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 blocks and 2 steals in every game. That is unrealistic. But I think they can be in the same zip code as those numbers night in and night out.
Illinois’ bench came alive in the Wisconsin game. Of course, the bench is led by should-be-starter Alan Griffin. As a unit, the bench finished the game against the Badgers with 24 points, 9 rebounds and 2 assists. That is a respectable bench performance.
Griffin led the way for the bench with 12 points and 2 rebounds. He dropped those points on 4-of-5 shooting from the field and 3-of-4 from three-point range. Andres Feliz was right behind Griffin with 8 points, 5 rebounds and 1 assist. He shot 3-of-9 from the field and 1-of 4 from the three-point arc.
I was impressed with Kipper Nichols most of the time on Wednesday night. He did have some dumb mistakes – like fouling 92 feet from the basket – but I liked his defense and he contributed on offense. He finished the game with 4 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist.
Next. Illini’s 2010s second-string All-Decade Team. dark
Illinois is playing some of the best basketball I have seen them play in years. Winning on the road is extremely tough in the Big Ten. If we can continue this momentum, this season could be one for the record books.