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Illinois Basketball: Regression of players has hurt Illini during losing streak

By Jalen Wilson

PISCATAWAY, NJ - FEBRUARY 15: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts to a play during the second half of a college basketball game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Rutgers Athletic Center on February 15, 2020 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Rutgers defeated Illinois 72-57. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PISCATAWAY, NJ - FEBRUARY 15: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts to a play during the second half of a college basketball game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Rutgers Athletic Center on February 15, 2020 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Rutgers defeated Illinois 72-57. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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This Illinois basketball team has a 16-9  overall record, but they have currently lost four games in a row.

The Illini started off hot during the first couple of weeks in Big Ten play. They had an 8-2 record in conference and was tied for first place just two weeks ago. Since that start, Illinois has dropped games to Iowa, Michigan State, Maryland and Rutgers and is now sixth in the Big Ten standings.

In my opinion, the regression of two players has hurt them during this losing streak. Those two players are Trent Frazier and Giorgi Bezhanishvili.

I am not saying this losing streak is solely on them. But their regression this season has hurt Illinois these past four games. Frazier is 5-of-23 – 21.7 percent – from three-point range during this stretch. He has played well on defense during the losing streak, but that doesn’t make up for his bad play on offense.

Giorgi has been underwhelming during most of this losing streak too. His defense has been terrible, and he can’t seem to find his touch on the offensive end. Giorgi has shot 7-of-24 from the field during this stretch of games. His worst performance came against Michigan State when he put up 2 points, 3 turnovers and 3 fouls in 13 minutes.

The losing streak isn’t just their fault, though. But these two players have probably been the most inconsistent this season compared to last year. Kofi Cockburn has also underperformed during this losing streak. Sometimes the Illini just can’t seem to make their shots and this leads to scoring droughts.

Ayo Dosunmu going down with an injury against Michigan State affected the Rutgers game as well. Without Ayo, Illinois was struggling because nobody could facilitate the offense. Against Michigan State, Illinois just started off terribly in the first half, which hurt them as Illinois only lost by one point. We also blew a lead against Maryland in the middle of the first half.

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Hopefully, this Illinois basketball team can rebound and get back on the winning side of things. We still have a good chance of making the NCAA Tournament. The Illini will face off against the No. 9 ranked Penn State Nittany Lions Tuesday night.

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