Illinois Basketball: Illini player assessment from the two-game losing streak

Needs Improvement

Trent Frazier

There are a few Illinois players who fit into the needs improvement category. I am going to start with Trent Frazier.

When Frazier is on, he is one of the most electrifying players in the history of the program. There were times throughout the past two losses where Frazier was hitting his shots. But he hasn’t been very good overall from behind the three-point arc.

Over the past two games, Frazier has averaged 8.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game. I am happy with his defense. 1.5 steals per game is big-time. But he is only shooting 5-of-16 from the field and 4-of-12 from deep. Those are the numbers that put him in the needs improvement category.

Da’Monte Williams

I know some people might be shocked that Da’Monte Williams is not in the fail category because of his scoring, but he has done some great things for this program.

Yes, Williams is only averaging 3 points, 3 rebounds, 0.5 assists and 0.5 steals per game in the last two contests, but his defense overall has been great. He is someone who can keep us in games on the defensive end. Honestly, if he could score points, he would be in the pass category.

Kipper Nichols

The last two games have been pretty solid for Kipper Nichols. He was a player just a few weeks ago who I struggled with because he wasn’t giving this program enough on the court.

But Nichols has done some good things over the last two games. He is averaging 6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 0.5 assists and 0.5 steals per game. Those are solid numbers compared to what I was expecting out of him. The only reason Nichols isn’t in the pass category is the fact he is only 5-of-14 from the field and 0-of-1 from three-point land. That isn’t good.