Illinois Basketball: 3 observations from the Illini loss to Rutgers

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PISCATAWAY, NJ – FEBRUARY 15: Trent Frazier #1 of the Illinois Fighting Illini in action against Ron Harper Jr. #24 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during in a college basketball game at Rutgers Athletic Center on February 15, 2020 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

2. We can’t shoot the ball

While Ayo was missing from the game against Rutgers, his presence doesn’t determine if we make or miss shots. On Saturday afternoon, we missed a lot of shots.

Honestly, I have been extremely disappointed in our shooting lately. We can’t make shots from just about anywhere on the court. Let’s start with Trent Frazier.

Frazier is the best shooter on the team, in my opinion. I love this kid, but he has been so bad lately. In the game against Rutgers, Frazier was 2-of-13 from the field and 1-of-9 from three-point range. He finished with nine points on the night.

Illinois’ second deep shooter, Alan Griffin, wasn’t much better. He finished the game going 3-of-11 from the field and 3-of-6 from three-point range. He did finish with 14 points for the Illini.

Kofi Cockburn didn’t shoot well for a big man. Usually, the shooting percentages are high for someone who is close to the basket. That wasn’t the case here, though. Kofi was 5-of-12 from the field and was 0-of-4 from the free throw line.

Those three took the most shots. They were a combined 10-of-36 from the field and 4-of-15 from the three-point arc. We aren’t going to win games with our top three shooters missing that many shots. I am shocked we were even in the game against Rutgers.

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