Keep learning and move on. The Illinois basketball team looked strong at times against Steve Pikiell’s vastly improved Rutgers program but fell short in key areas.
Multiple areas where the Illini struggled against Baylor and Missouri were improved upon on Sunday, but there is still plenty of work left to do. One key piece that Illini fans should take away from the loss is that most Big Ten games will not look as pretty as the Minnesota win.
Here are four standout statistics from the loss to Rutgers.
36-15
26 personal fouls for the Illini to just 17 for Rutgers. Trent Frazier, Da’Monte Williams and Andre Curbelo all fouled out. The Illini have shot 15 free throws per game thus far. Rutgers has shot 14 free throws per game thus far.
Yes, Illinois played physical and struggled defensively against the Scarlet Knights, but there is no doubt the Illini were officiated far too tightly.
Geo Baker, Ron Harper Jr and Jacob Young are all fantastic players in the Big Ten, but none of them are driving oriented weapons. Those three shot four more free throws combined than the entire roster has averaged all season.
Ayo Dosunmu, Kofi Cockburn and Curbelo lead the Illini in free throw attempts this season but only shot nine free throws combined against Rutgers. Chucking up three-pointers was not the issue, as it can be when a team does not get to the line enough. Rutgers shot 20 three-pointers and hit 40-percent of them while the Illini shot 15 three-pointers and made 60-percent of them.
I will say it again, I do truly dislike criticizing referees, but there is a discussion to be had on how Illinois has been officiated recently. However, when they get to the charity stripe, they must do a better job of knocking down the free ones. 68-percent will not cut it.
+9
Of the players who played over 15 minutes against Rutgers, only two had a positive +/-. Ayo Dosunmu was +1 and Da’Monte Williams was +9.
Williams was the key on both ends of the floor, knocking down all four of his three-point attempts and putting a wrench in Rutgers’ gameplan when trying to use Ron Harper Jr to initiate the offense. He did struggle with foul trouble and when he was off the floor, the Scarlet Knights were not shy about attacking Giorgi Bezhansvhili defensively. Simply put, Williams continues to make the right plays and take on every defensive challenge.
Illinois’ roster has an overwhelming amount of talent, and this loss does not change my perspective on that, but the importance of consistency has been an area of struggle. It has been some time since Trent Frazier, Adam Miller, Giorgi and Andre Curbelo all played well in the same game.
It is a work in progress, but during the growth period, Brad Underwood should continue to lean on Williams to lead by example and get his job done on both ends.
20 Minutes
Adam Miller was essentially a no show for the Illini against Rutgers.
Score first, perimeter-oriented freshman can have games like these, but he did struggle on both ends versus the Scarlet Knights.
Miller had 0 points, 0 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover and 4 personal fouls in 20 minutes of action. The Illini need a bit more from him. We know he can catch heat quickly and light it up from the outside, but his hesitation to attack the basket and solidify an intermediate game has made him easier to gameplan against.
57-percent of Miller’s shot attempts this season have been from beyond the arc. Every player has a role to serve, and Miller’s standout skill has been shooting. But in order to make an impact and serve useful minutes, he undoubtedly has to open it up a bit.
18:4
Andre Curbelo’s assist to turnover ratio over the last three games.
The Illini lost a hard-fought battle, but there really is not too much to nitpick at. Curbelo is rounding a corner and showing major signs of learning to control his chaotic style of play.
In the first five games, Curbelo had 13 assists and 16 turnovers. Since then, Curbelo has 18 assists and just four turnovers against much tougher competition. It has resulted in almost five more minutes per game, a number that would have been higher without the curious foul trouble against Rutgers. Many Illini supporters might rush to criticize due to the result, but there are clear signs of progress, especially from the freshman guard.
Curbelo is one of the nation’s most game-breaking and exciting players, and while I never would expect mistake-free basketball from the ball handler, his impact will flourish as he cleans it up on both ends. Expect a heightened role for Curbelo as the Illini move deeper into Big Ten play.