Illinois Basketball: 4 observations from Illini win over North Carolina A&T

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Nov 25, 2020; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Adam Miller (44) goes up for a shot against North Carolina A&T Aggies forward Jeremy Robinson (1) during the first half at the State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /

The Illinois basketball team took the court for the first time in 262 days. What all went down in the Illini’s season opener?

The Fighting Illini did not disappoint in their season opener vs. North Carolina A&T, as they walked away with a 122-60 victory over the Aggies.

The Illini just flat-out dominated the Aggies in all phases of the game. They were more efficient shooting the ball, as they shot 30-percent better than NC A&T. Additionally, the Illini outrebounded the Aggies by 44 boards.

Their performance gave fans plenty of reasons to be optimistic for the 2020-21 season

Here are four observations from the season opener.

1. Freshman guard Adam Miller lit it up in his debut

There has been a lot of hype around Miller ever since he committed to play for the Orange and Blue, and rightfully so.

The young guard has been held to high expectations entering his freshman season, as he’s proven to be a very special talent. Miller was the No. 1 recruit for the Illini’s 2020 class, as he was ranked as the No. 33 player in the nation. Miller also won the Illinois Gatorade Player of the Year award twice.

The 2020 four-star recruit did not wait to live up to his high expectations in his Illini debut. The first points for the Illini were also Miller’s first career points, as he drained a three-pointer from the corner within the first three minutes of the contest. Miller finished the first half leading all players with 19 points, shooting 6-of-7 from the field and 5-of-6 from beyond the arc.

Miller would ultimately finish the game with 28 points, shooting 80-percent (8-of-10) from the field. His 28 points would tie teammate Ayo Dosunmu for a game-high. The freshman guard would total 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and a steal in the contest, as well.

The guard received praise from his coaches and teammates following Wednesday’s contest.

"“Adam is a great player. He complements my game a lot. He’s not a selfish player,” teammate Ayo Dosunmu told media following the game."

Coach Underwood had good things to say about Miller postgame, as well.

"“We get off to a really good start because of a freshman. Thought Adam was tremendous,” Underwood praised to the media."

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